Here is Part 5. I'm so sorry for the long wait.
Ichabod agrees to meet Miss Mills during her lunch break instead of in the evening for their appointment. He's cleared his desk to play an old-fashioned game of Scrabble while he slurps his soup and chews his bread.
There's a knock on his door. He looks up to see Miss Mills, holding a paper bag and a drink.
"Mind if I eat in here?" she says.
He smiles and beckons her to join him. "Not at all. Please, have a seat. I'm in the process of lunch myself."
He makes room for her as she sets her purse down and removes her meal. It's a bacon cheeseburger and curly fries.
"Playing Scrabble?"
"It's my favorite game. My parents taught it to me."
"Can I play?" She bites into her burger.
He wipes his mouth with a napkin. "I could use a worthy opponent."
Ichabod hands her a letter rack and tiles. She reorganizes them, asks if she can have the next move. He nods his head and extends his hand for her to play. She lays her letters down on the board.
"I should warn you, I am undefeated in this game. I highly doubt you'll be able to—"
Suddenly, he's speechless.
"You were saying?"
Zoeae. That's the word she decides to play. He's been trying to find a five-letter Z word for weeks now without consulting the Internet, and she's created one so easily as if she used it in everyday conversation.
"That's impossible. How did you manage that?"
She shrugs. "Nature shows."
He raises an eyebrow.
"I can be a nerd sometimes."
"Well, I happen to adore nerdy women."
She blushes. "Your turn."
Azole.
"Nice," she says.
"Thank you."
He and Miss Mills go back and forth, besting each other with words neither of them knows the meaning of, but heard one place or another.
Combi.
Anent.
Imam.
Orphic.
Rapacious.
Kiss.
Miss Mills puts her drink down, says, "We should probably get to work now. I've only got an hour left of lunch."
He doesn't know what possessed him to put that word down. Perhaps it is because all he thought about that day was the softness of her lips and the hurt in her heart. Oh, how he wanted to kiss all her pain away.
"Abbie, we should discuss—"
"No."
"Why not? I must say a moment such as that can't be swept under the rug." He pauses. "It matters."
She can't look away from him, though he knows she wants to.
"I'm engaged, Ichabod."
"I'm aware of that, Abbie."
"You can't have feelings for me."
"I'm aware of that as well."
"I can't have feelings for you either."
He's silent. His palms sweat, and he wipes them on his trousers. He's happy to know that it isn't one-sided.
"What are we to do then?"
She sighs. "I don't know."
"This is an experience I've never encountered before, but one I don't want to end."
"Same."
"You could find another planner. I have a couple of colleagues I could refer you to."
"We've already broke ground. I may as well stay."
"That is only if it's what you wish. I want you to be comfortable with the person planning your wedding."
"I'm comfortable with you. Okay? We just have to set some boundaries."
"Agreed. What are your suggestions?"
"For starters, you can't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you'd give me the world if I asked."
"That is only because I would. I would give you my breath if you required it."
"And you can't say stuff like that either."
"I'll be cognizant of how I express myself then. Is there anything else?"
"I think that's it. If there's more, I'll let you know. What do you need from me?"
He doesn't know where to begin. She's exquisite all around. There isn't a part of her he doesn't want her to present to him, whether it's her bold strut or the way her eyes flutter when she blushes. He's completely drawn to her.
"Let me ponder it for a bit."
"Okay. So…the wedding."
"Right. We should probably confirm the band and the venue."
She goes with the All Tunes Band and Fredrick's Manor. Then they discuss catering services, invitations, florists, and the photographer/videographer.
"You can go over the design and overall aesthetics of the wedding with Ms. Gilbert. I'll be sure you two are in contact with each other."
She tosses her lunch in the trash bin. "Is that everything for today? I should head back to the station now."
"Yes, that is all for this afternoon."
She stands to leave, but he stops her.
"Abbie?"
"Yeah?"
"I…"
He wants to tell her how lovely she is to him. If she wanted to break off her engagement with , then by all means, she should do so. His desire is for her to be happy in whichever form that takes. He'd even run away with her if that's what she wished.
But all he says is, "I shall see you at our next appointment. I will confirm the details with you tomorrow."
She nods her head and gives him a small smile. "Alright. I'll look out for it."
And then she leaves his office.