The next day at work started similarly to the day before. With the exception of the fact that Harry was suffering from a major hangover with bloodshot eyes and a pounding head. Not exactly the way he wanted to look when he was trying to impress Ruth. He drew the blinds and spent the morning hours locked away in his office, and he resisted the temptation to look at Ruth and Chris until at least one o'clock. When he did, there was nothing there to see. What he didn't know was that he had missed their earlier conversation.
They had been working together for an hour or so when Chris paused in his typing and turned to Ruth. "Good night?"
She had a half quirked smile at him, debating whether to tell him the honest answer that she had curled up with a good book and some hot chocolate before rolling in bed sleeplessly until two in the morning. She settled for, "not bad." He was smiling at her in a way that made her feel uncomfortable so she continued with what she had intended to say. She'd spent her sleepless hours thinking about it. Making sure no one else was listening she turned and started to speak.
"Listen, when I said no to going out with you last night, I'm not playing a game with you. I'm not playing hard to get," she said slowly. "I'm not available."
"You're with someone?" he asked waiting for her to reply.
"You're not making this easy are you?"
"No." he said simply making her smile.
"I suppose, I'm not in a relationship, but I'm still not available."
"So who is it, who's captured your heart?" Chris asked after a moments silence. "
"That's speculation," Ruth replied.
"Mm," Chris agreed. "Its bloody accurate too." Ruth laughed and made doubly sure no one (meaning Harry) was listening. "Well, the only males here, apart from myself, devilishly handsome as I am are Tariq, Dimitri, Lucas and Harry who has yet to do more than grunt in my direction. Tariq doesn't look up from his computer and he is far too young for you.
"Oh that makes me feel great," she interrupted sarcastically.
"I'd say that Dimitri could be a vague possibility, if it wasn't for the fact that his eyes keep hovering over a certain blonde's cleavage when he thinks no ones looking." Ruth smiled at the accurate description. She'd noticed that about Dimitri and Beth too. "Which leaves silent and brooding Lucas or enigmatic Harry who has a love of whisky and a hatred of me." Chris paused. "Maybe the hatred of me is linked to the fascinating subject we're discussing. So I'd say Harry. Am I right?"
"You know I really want to hate you!" Ruth said loud enough to get everyone's attention.
"I take that as a yes then."
"You're a spy for the DG on section D, too charming for your own good and casting horrible speculation on my personal life. Why don't I hate you?"
"At least I made an impression," he said with a smile. Ruth shook her head and began typing again.
At the end of the day everyone was getting ready to leave when Harry emerged from his office, looking much less hung-over than previously. "Chris, I'd like a word with you before you leave." Everyone looked at the new arrival except Ruth who stared at Harry. His face gave nothing away as he stared at them all. Chris looked at Ruth and before she realised anything at all he leaned in and kissed her cheek. There was a deathly hush as everyone stared at her flaming face, trying not to look at Harry.
"You never know, it might help you," he whispered into her ear.
"Mr Miller," Harry said in a critical voice. Chris turned to him and everyone left the grid in a flurry of activity. Ruth, still with a red face felt so ashamed that she couldn't even look at Harry before vanishing. Chris followed Harry to his office and the door shut with a loud snap.