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It seems that meeting last week has finally caught up with me.

It had all been going so well, with happily getting on with my work during the week and going to parties at the weekend. Hell, I had even had a proper conversation with Paul and had, to some extent, fixed our rocky relationship with one another.

Purely platonic of course, mixed in with some slight flirtation…but at least he is no longer actively trying to avoid me, it would seem.

So to be honest by the end of the week I was completely happy and settled with my life, almost suspiciously so. And so of course, that was when life threw a spanner in it. That spanner being a rather formal email sent by Jackie, stating that she wishes me to attend her office at the end of the working day.

No prizes for guessing what that is about either.

The day crawled by, moving so slowly I'm convinced time can actually go backwards. Of course, I hadn't been able to concentrate on anything, instead sitting at my desk and stewing about what the meeting would entail. In my mind of course there's only the one option – I'm being sacked.

Thinking about it, a week is more than enough time for Mr Kingston to realise I am not going to get back in contact with him and ask to see him. It would only take a matter of hours to persuade Ms Monroe that they shouldn't invest, or worse they should invest but on the condition that I no longer work there.

After that decision, it would be a simple matter of picking up the phone and calling Jackie, who would no doubt call me into a meeting.

Lo and behold, said meeting is being held at 5pm on a Monday. Exactly one week after I messed up big time. Still, at least I have my morals.

I can put that on my resume, right?

I have also come to the realisation that clock watching is extremely boring. I think I would literally rather watch paint dry. Samantha had tried to engage me in conversation all day, asking whether I'm okay at least three times an hour. Frankly it would be annoying but seeing as I have other things to worry about, her persistent questioning only washed over me.

I think that my lack of communication may have come across as a bit rude, but at the end of the day I may never have to work with her again after 5pm. A depressing thought, but a realistic one all the same.

After what felt like several months, the clock read five minutes to five and I finally pushed myself to my feet, holding onto the desk for a second as I wobbled slightly. Call me a coward but my legs are shaking so badly I can barely feel them.

The walk to Jackie's office also felt like it took an eternity, despite only being 30 seconds away. I had left a little early of course, but I can't sit around stewing for any longer, I will absolutely implode.

Coming to a stop outside of her door I took five deep, calming breaths. At least they would have been calming if I had been able to maintain a steady pace. These breaths more came out in a succession of pants. So instead I abandoned that approach, merely wiping my sweaty hands on my skirt, before knocking three times on the wooden door.

"Come in" I heard Jackie's voice chime from inside.

Oh hell.

"Good afternoon Gemma" Jackie said crisply as I walked into her private office, trying to not show how much I was shitting myself "take a seat"

I did as I was told, sitting on the blue office chair right in front of her desk, trying not to shift around too much as my heart pounded in my chest, so hard I thought it would potentially explode.

"This is Marie, head of Human Resources" she nodded toward the blonde woman sat in the corner, holding what looked like a very official pack of documents.

Oh god.

At this point I crossed and uncrossed my legs three times, unable to find any kind of comfortable position, squirming under Marie's gaze.

"Good afternoon. How can I help?" I asked, desperately trying to keep the worry out of my voice. From the way Jackie glanced up, I failed miserably.

So much for having a poker face.

But instead of looking grave or potentially sympathetic like I thought she might, her painted lips quirked up into a smirk, putting her pen down onto the pad she had been writing in.

"You don't need to look so nervous, darling. You're not in any trouble" Jackie said, making me blink rapidly

"I'm not?" I asked dumbly

"Why would you be?" she asked, immediately making me close my trap. The last thing I need is to put myself in any trouble when apparently, I have nothing to worry about.

"I don't know" I managed to squeak out, cursing myself at how much of a lie that sounded. If I was on trial, guilty verdict would be a definite.

"Well then…I actually just wanted to fill you in. Mr Kingston had some very interesting things to say about our meeting last week"

Is it possible for your stomach to drop through your arse? At this point I think it may be.

"Oh yes?" thankfully I managed to sound slightly less choked this time

"Yes. He said that he was very impressed with our pitch and especially with how you presented yourself. In fact, he made sure that I told you he finds your courage admirable, whatever that means"

Honestly, if I was anywhere else, even if this conversation had taken place over the phone, I would absolutely be giggling hysterically right now. I don't think I have ever felt so much relief in my life. How I have managed to get away with this I will never know! After all, Mr Kingston didn't exactly seem impressed with my blatant rejection…but now all of a sudden he's congratulating me on my bravery?

This luck I'm getting is like something out of a shit novel.

"So" Jackie went on, shooting Marie a look which I could tell meant 'is she okay?' "Marie is here to discuss with me the new internal structure of our staff…especially in our new Family and Child Protection department which will be opening next month"

At this point, I need to force some words out. Anything will do, come on Gem!

"Wow, that's amazing!" I sounded a little too hyper for such a serious lady, but at this point I just don't care. We had done it! This once again confirms that Mr Kingston hadn't hated me, even going so far as to commend me on sticking to my guns. I can't say I saw this one coming, but this is possibly the best news ever!

I almost feel silly for spending the entire week uptight and worrying now.

"Indeed" Jackie still looked serious, however she allowed herself a brief smile, as though I'm a child who has learned how to clap for the first time "so I am making no decisions yet, but you deserve to know how the meeting went. And I am pleased with you – we work together well. Therefore, provided you keep up the good work, I am seriously considering offering you that position we talked about"

"Thank you, Jackie" I toned down my excitement slightly as I stood and shook her hand, unable to wipe the smile off my face "I will certainly try my hardest"

"I know. Now go home" she dismissed me, blunt as ever "we have work to do tomorrow"

I had driven to the petrol station with a shit eating grin all over my face the entire way, hands tapping on the steering wheel rhythmically as I hummed an indistinguishable tune to myself. I don't even care that I'm having to stop and do my most hated chore today, seeing as the weekend was a complete write off.

Yes, I absolutely hate filling up my car. An odd dislike, but a valid one.

But honestly today, throw it at me – I'm in such a good mood I don't even care.

Quickly pulling up and jumping out of the car, I started to fill it up as fast as I possibly could. That's another one of my nightmares – holding people up for longer than absolutely necessary. Honestly I think I need to chill out a bit, but once again I say, it's an odd hatred of mine.

That is why going out with Sam is, as far as I'm concerned, a hugely stressful experience. That man does everything at completely his own pace – he literally doesn't care who he holds up or upsets. I think it must be a wolf thing, because as far as I know the other two are the same. It didn't help that as soon as he discovered how stressed I get about holding anyone up, he moved even slower, at one point stopping to have an entirely pointless conversation with Emily, who humoured him far too much.

I had sworn then and there to never go out with them again – not that it had lasted long, unfortunately I like them both too much.

It's just that outlook on life is so not me. As it is, I practically ran inside to pay, only to discover that ironically, there was a queue. It seems every man and his dog has turned up to swamp the one poor woman on checkout, bless her.

Never mind - Queuing is a thing I'm good at.

"Gemma?" I heard a voice question from behind me as I joined the back, someone quickly taking a place behind me. Turning at the vaguely familiar voice, a smile made its way onto my face as I recognised the owner. Granted it took me a brief second to remember his name, however eventually got there, thankfully.

"Justin, hi!" I accepted the hug he gave me in greeting "how are you?"

"I'm good thank you – Just about recovered from Friday night" he shot me a charming smile "and good thing too – my kids were extra loud today"

"Oh you have children?" I asked, surprised

"No" he chuckled, running a hand through his sand-colour hair "I'm a teacher – sorry I forgot I hadn't told you"

"Oh don't worry" I waved him off "That is such a rewarding job – how old are they?"

"Six" he pretended to look horrified "so believe me, they're a handful"

"I can imagine" I stared up at the man, completely believing that he would be able to tame a room full of wild six-year olds. Justin has a very calming presence to him I realised, now that we're no longer pumped full of alcohol playing games "I doubt I would have the patience!"

"Believe me, with the stress they cause me I'm going to dig myself into an early grave"

"I think you will be just fine" I smiled up at him, once again noting that despite his charm, good looks and manners, something was holding me back from getting too involved. That doesn't mean to say that asking him out hasn't crossed my mind at least once since last Friday, but honestly? That would not be the right thing to do.

For one, I'm not sure whether I even want to be dating right now.

Two, I couldn't do it to Paul. Not now that we have actually started to make an effort with one another. Not after the conversation we had when Sam and Emily went for their walk. Even thinking about it now made my stomach flip, filling with what I can only describe as butterflies.

I can't stop thinking about what his imagination could come up with. Quite honestly, I wonder if it's similar to my own.

"Next please" the cashier said, finally moving the line forward slightly. The queue let out a simultaneous sigh of relief – clearly whoever stood at the front had been there a while.

"So anyway" I focused back on Justin as he began to speak, hoping he would be kind enough to tell me when the queue moved forward once again "I was wondering if you're doing anything this weekend? I thought we could…"

Justin suddenly trailed off, his eyes going the size of saucers as he looked over my shoulder. Confused, I followed his gaze, turning my head towards the source of the scare.

Everything became a lot clearer though, when I realised who exactly stood there, not two feet from us.

"Paul" my voice came out as somewhat of a surprised squeak. Although thinking about it I shouldn't have been too shocked – this station is only just outside of La Push after all. Plus, I've literally only just been thinking about how much these people do not care if they hold the rest of us up.

My thoughts are scarily accurate, it would seem. Almost as scary as the number of times I run into this man in random locations.

Once again, I am convinced fate is screwing with me.

"What are you doing with him?" his jaw was clenched, hands balled into fists, eyes never leaving Justin's face. In fact, he hadn't looked at me once, only moved himself closer, positioning himself just to the side of and slightly in front of me, as though placing himself between my body and the huge threat Justin poses.

That idea is laughable.

"Oh sorry, this is Justin. Justin this is Paul, my…friend" I had hoped the slight pause wasn't too noticeable as I tried to sum up what Paul actually is to me. Somehow, I didn't think that 'supposed soulmate who up until now seemed intent on ignoring my existence' would fit in well with the current situation.

"Hey man, good to meet you" Justin stuck out his hand, waiting for a couple of seconds as Paul stared at it, making no effort to take it.

He let it drop slowly, the smile on his face having faded completely.

"Oh for god's sake Paul" I muttered under my breath, knowing damn well that he could hear me, whereas Justin probably couldn't. If he did he was too polite to comment, anyway.

"Sorry" he said out loud, whether to Justin or me I couldn't tell "my hands are covered in grease, I've just been at work"

I could already tell that this was a lie, but Justin seemed to accept it, even if only to move on from the awkward and pregnant pause that stretched out.

"Gemma is with me all weekend though" Paul's dark tone left no room for negotiation "we've got plans"

Jesus christ he's actually doing this.

Honestly, I'm not sure whether to be pissed off or extremely aroused at his protectiveness.

I can't say I like the fact he has made the decision for me, that I'm not allowed to go out with Justin, without telling me his own feelings. In my eyes that's a sign of trouble. I don't expect him to fall down and declare his undying love for me of course, but a little warning that he's going to start getting jealous at every opportunity would be nice!

"Right" Justin now looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole. And considering the awkward tension we had created now filled what felt like the entire garage, I couldn't agree more.

"Good. Later then, Gem" Paul didn't wait for me to reply, instead turning to look at me for the first time and bending down, placing a firm kiss on my left cheek. I tried to mask my shock as I looked up at him, my eyes catching his for just a second, his expression completely unreadable.

Once again, I'm not entirely sure whether to slap him or throw myself at him for his cheeky actions. And truthfully, he was out of the door before I had come to a decision.

"I'm sorry about him" is all I said instead, trying my hardest to ignore my thundering heart and blush that surely stained my cheeks.

"Don't worry about it" Justin seemed to recover as soon as Paul had vacated the premises, as though suddenly finding it far easier to breathe "so against my better judgment…how about this weekend?"

At this point I do have to wonder – is this teacher extremely brave, or does he just have a death wish?

Yikes.

Is anyone really shocked that the wolves don't care about causing a scene? I'm definitely not!
Forever drawing attention, that lot...