Perfume

A timid knock on the door.

Rachel peered up, astonished into momentary silence as she realised it was Eddie. He looked rather sheepish. Apt, considering he had bothered to knock. The whole thing was unusual. She questioned if it had anything to do with the night before. Perhaps he had come to tell her that it had been fun while it lasted, but their time had come to an end.

"I, erm…" Eddie glanced at the window, mainly to avoid the awkwardness, and then back to her. "I was trying to find one of my folders this morning and realised there was some stuff that you might want."

It didn't sound like bad news. A small burst of air escaped her lips, enough to be silent. Brow rising, she managed to sound mocking.

"And what might they be, Mr Lawson?"

He leant back, peering into the antechamber to check he wasn't mistaken in thinking they were alone. Satisfied, he strode across the room, halting in front of her desk.

"What?" she half laughed.

Reaching into his bag, Eddie pulled out a pair of laced underwear, a silver necklace, and an almost empty bottle of perfume. He didn't tell her that he had noted the brand of perfume, a mental tab that he would keep for the future.

Rachel stared down, merely blinking in surprise before remembering where she was. The slight reddening in her cheeks matched his and she swiped the three items into her handbag, the other arm having reached for it. Clearing her throat, she glanced back up at him, her smirk matching his.

"Well, thank you for those items. I'll be sure to remember them next time."

"Oh, so there's a next time?"

"Don't try and be funny."

He raised his hands, backing out of the office in defeat. Flipping the satchel closed once more, his earlier embarrassment was forgotten. The whole situation was funny now that the personal belongings had been restored to their rightful owner.

"I guess you can make a point of wearing them all later," Eddie called over his shoulder. "We'll see how much you remember this time."

Rachel failed to lessen the deep blush that had formed, her smile just as relentless. She shouted after him, preferring to have the final word.

"I'm glad you think this is a game."

His laugh was heard before the door of the antechamber closed behind him. Eddie never failed to dumbfound her.