Page 26 of Forever Flustered

Maureen stood there in her scrubs, completely at a loss for words. A simple question from an insecure moment led to a conversation she never expected to have and a realization that had been niggling at the back of her mind already.

Turning, she moved behind her desk and sat down, quickly opening up her email once more. His words poured into her along with an awareness – Eli was scared that she would find him lacking.

Too much baggage…

I’m not good at this…

I’m taking a chance…

Read between the lines…

“Oh, I’m reading, buddy… and I think I’ve got your number,” she whispered, clicking reply immediately as the words poured straight from her soul onto the screen. If Eli had little confidence left within himself, was scared of being hurt, and was reaching out to her, then she could juggle the heavy lifting for a moment until that arrogant guy reappeared with his beautiful eyes on her again.

Hey Melon-head,

I think James Bond said it best – ‘Shaken, not stirred’… so whatever has you stressed and rattled is meant to make you just that much more intimidating to those little twerps you are in charge of herding like kittens. I would fall into line the moment you gave me a glare down that nose – but then again, maybe you don’t want a bunch of men ogling how you look in your uniform or thinking your eyes are pretty… right?

I’m sorry you are stressed – and please don’t die. I would miss my emails and my friend. You know, forget the therapy (for now! We can revisit that later), but what you really need is a massage. Guess what? I’m the best licensed masseuse in the area, and I have an opening on my schedule just for you! How about that? Doesn’t that sound amazing?

Maureen

P.S. Aren’t cute nicknames simply the best between friends?

P.S.S. Your eyes are beautiful and in proportion to your head. Quit worrying.

Psp-psp-psp… come here and let me fix that tightness in your neck.

Sitting back, she smiled… and waited.

CHAPTER 9

ARCHANGEL

The meeting room was silent as the men pored over maps, trajectories, and whispered among themselves regarding the upcoming surveillance run they were going to make this afternoon. Well, it was silent until Eli opened Maureen’s email.

He snorted – loudly.

Grabbing a tissue, Eli tried to play it off as congestion, quickly blowing his nose loudly. He waved off inquiring eyes that immediately turned in his direction at the suddenly loud snort that echoed on the walls, followed by the loud honk from his exaggerated actions. “I’m fine. Allergies.”

He wasn’t fine.

She called him a ‘Melon-Head’… affectionately. It was clear to see, easy to tell, and as he continued reading, the volume of incredulous disbelief and interest in him was flabbergasting. She was teasing him, flirting with him, and implying that she thought he was handsome – again.

Did she like him? Like the way he looked? Was she attracted to him? He thought with amazement and kept devouring her email like a thirsty man in the desert who just was given an oasis to drink from… and then slammed down his fist, pinching his eyes tightly shut as his brain went from ‘amazement’ to ‘inferno’ in record time. Maureen was talking about massage – massaging him – which meant warm oil, hands on skin, and… and touching. She would be touching him on his shoulders, his back, his arms.

Lots and lots of touching...

“Sir?”

Eli’s eyes shot open in comprehension – and horror. He wasn’t alone, and this wasn’t the time for daydreaming or imagining what it would be like. He was sitting in a room full of men who were eyeballing him like he was some sideshow character on display.

“Migraine,” he managed to choke out. “You guys give me a heckuva migraine, and it’s like a spike…” in my pants… “In my forehead, right behind my eyes.”

Nah, bruh – your pants.

Shut up, Brain…

Fix this before someone guesses you’re getting flirty emails…