"Morning" Eddie smiled.
"Good morning" she couldn't help but smile back.
"How are you?" He asked.
"Fine, you?" She said a little too quickly, reaching out to take paperwork from him but pausing when she saw two CDs in his hand. She raised an eyebrow.
"Right, yeah. I realised I never gave this back and… well I thought you might like this" he said handing the pile to her. She was surprised for a moment, then she felt guilty. He was being sweet and friendly and probably too familiar. Infuriatingly she liked it. She felt the same crackle of chemistry she'd experienced when he first shook her hand, just before he realised who she was. The sudden need to push him away was literal for a second and had her wanting to slam the door closed.
"You… you can keep it, if you liked it I mean" she said, cursing the way she stumbled over words. She took the CD and handed it back.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Of course"
"Honestly I've had it in the car for weeks" he admitted.
"In the glove box?" She couldn't help but respond.
"No, no, playing it" he laughed.
"Well I'm glad you like it" she said. He watched her for a second.
"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice genuine and laced with concern.
"Yes of course" she quickly smiled, a more convincing attempt than the first.
"Okay, you've just seemed distracted, that's all" a shred of panic shot through her.
"Oh, really? Sorry, I hadn't-"
"Don't apologise. As long as you're alright" he said quickly. Kindly. Too nice.
"All good" she said again.
"Alright, have a good weekend then" he said slowly, looking at her for a moment before retreating.
"Eddie!" He turned back. "Thank you for the CD" she smiled. He smiled too.