JENNIE
After I spend half an afternoon on the phone with Lisa and getting close to no actual work done, my first day at the new office is over, and I wait patiently for Taehyung just outside my door.
Lisa was so calm earlier, and she sounded so clear, as if she was focused on something. Standing here in the corridor, I can't contain my happiness that we're still communicating; it's so much better now that we're no longer avoiding each other. Deep down, I know that it won't continue to be this easy, talking this way, teasing myself with small doses of Lisa when in reality I want her, all of her, all the time. I want her here with me, holding me, kissing me, making me laugh.
This must be what denial feels like.
I'm fine with that for now. It feels pretty good, compared to my other option: sadness.
I sigh and rest my head against the wall as I continue to wait. I'm beginning to wish that I hadn't asked Taehyung if he was free after work. I'd rather be at Kimberly's house, talking on the phone to Lisa. I wish she had just come here; she could be the one meeting me instead. She could have an office close to mine; she could come by my office multiple times a day, and in between those times, I could make excuses to go to her's. I'm sure Christian would give Lisa a job if she wanted one. He's made it clear that he wanted Lisa to work for him again a couple of times.
We could spend our lunch hour together, maybe even re-create some of the memories we shared at the old office. I begin picturing Lisa behind me, me bent down over the top of my desk, my hair wrapped tightly around her fist—
"Sorry I'm a little late, my meeting ran over." Taehyung interrupts my reverie, and I jump in both surprise and embarrassment.
"Oh, um, it's okay. I was just"—I tuck my hair behind my ear and swallow—"waiting."
If only he knew what I was thinking; thank goodness he doesn't have a clue. I'm not sure where those thoughts even came from.
He inclines his head the other way, peering down the empty hallway. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes."
We make small talk as we walk through the building. Nearly everyone has left for the day, leaving the office quiet. Taehyung tells me about his brother's new job in Ohio and how he went shopping for a new suit to wear to our coworker Krystal's wedding next month. Idly, I wonder just how many suits Taehyung owns.
Once we get to our cars, I follow Taehyung's BMW as he drives through the crowded city, and we finally arrive in the small neighborhood of Ballard. According to the blogs I was reading before my move, it's one of the hippest neighborhoods in Seattle. Coffee shops, vegan restaurants, and hipster bars line the narrow streets. I pull my car into the parking garage beneath Taehyung's building and laugh to myself while remembering that he offered to help me find an apartment in this pricey place.
Taehyung smiles, gesturing to his suit. "I just need to change, obviously."
Once we get to his apartment and he wanders off, I nosily glance around his expansive living room. Pictures of family and articles clipped from newspapers and magazines fill the frames on his mantel; an intricate display piece made from melted and molded wine bottles takes up the entire coffee table. Not a trace of dust has been allowed to collect in any of the corners. I'm impressed.
"Ready!" Taehyung announces, stepping out of his bedroom and zipping up a red sweatshirt. It always catches me off guard to see him dressed so casually—it's such a vast difference from how he looks normally.
After walking two blocks from his building, both of us are shivering and shaking.
"Are you hungry, Jennie? We can grab something to eat." White puffs of cold air follow his words.
I nod eagerly. My stomach growls in hunger, reminding me of just how insufficient a package of peanut butter crackers is for lunch.
I tell Taehyung to choose a restaurant he likes, and we end up at a small Italian grill only feet away from where we were just walking. The sweet smell of garlic fills my senses, and my mouth waters as we're escorted to a small booth in the back.