Page 92 of Finding My Charming

waiting to talk to Dallin was proving to be much harder than I’d expected. As much as I’d wanted to call him last night, I knew it would be better to talk to him in person. That rational decision was now driving me to the brink of insanity. I sat staring at the clock on the bottom of my computer screen and tapping my pen in time with the passing seconds.

“You come up with the most obnoxious habits when you’re nervous, Elle. I love you dearly, but if you don’t stop, I’m going to rip that pen from your grasp and throw it as hard as I can in any direction away from you.”

I’d stopped midway through her rant and sat frozen. Sherrie had been so quiet all day that I’d assumed she’d been super focused.

I peeked at her out of the corner of my eye, but she was sitting calmly, typing away on her computer. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine, honey. I just need you to stop before I do something that gets me in trouble with the boss man.”

I smirked and turned back to my desk. I’d eaten lunch here so I wouldn’t risk running into Dallin on the street. I didn’t know why that mattered to me, but I had things planned out, and if any of the details got messed up, I’d probably have a meltdown.

“Do you want to go over things again?”

Poor Sherrie had listened to my game plan twice already. She’d never willingly sit through it again, unless she was trying to keep me concentrating on something other than the time, or my pen.

“No, I think I’m good.” What could really go wrong? I would text him about an hour before I was off to ask if he wanted to go out for food. No big deal. The stressful part was if he said yes.

I wanted to keep things light and casual. No fancy restaurant or big adventure. Just me and Dallin and an honest discussion.

A discussion about my feelings for him. Nothing insane about that, right?

I’d simply tell him that he was really fun to be around, very attractive, and I felt like I could be myself around him. That doesn’t sound totally and completely lame, right?

Fine. It sucked. Breaking up with Vincent was one thing, but admitting feelings for someone is a totally different challenge. If I’d messed up the break-up, we’d still have both gone our separate ways, and it wouldn’t have really mattered.

If I mess up tonight — well — I will end up watching the love of my life walk away.

No reason to panic.

“I can hear your brain going one hundred miles an hour from here. You need to calm down. The boy isn’t going to run away. He likes you just as much, if not more than you like him. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and it is not the look of someone with mere attraction. It’s love, honey.”

I almost asked her how she could possibly know for sure, but she’d already been through that today… and other days. She knew these things. Apparently, a legal secretary became a mind reader when she got older.

“I hope you’re right, Sherrie.”

“Have I ever been wrong?”

I thought back to the last few weeks working alongside her. “Nope, I don’t think you have been so far.”

“Exactly. Now text him and ask him about tonight. You don’t want him to make other plans.”

“Fine,” I grumbled but picked up my cell and typed out a quick message. Instead of putting it down, I continued watching the screen, waiting for his response.

Oh good, my new obsession for the moment. Hopefully, it will be less annoying than the pen.

Three minutes had passed without a new message, so I set my phone down where I could easily see the screen and heard Sherrie chuckle under her breath.

“Got something to say?” I joined her laughter as it grew from a low chuckle to full-blown giggles.

“You are so love-struck. I’ve just never seen you like this. I hope you know I’m supportive, but you have to admit you’re behaving quite strangely.”

I glanced at the phone to make sure I hadn’t missed anything then back at her. “I’m acting like April on a normal day.”

“Exactly.”

I pulled up my email on my computer to give me a distraction. It was unfortunate that the day I most needed something to occupy my mind was one of the slowest days at the office. We’d caught up on the files in the back closet and had even ordered supplies. Online shopping just wasn’t the same when comparing paper towels and hand soap.

I’d been browsing my junk mail when my phone buzzed against the wood surface of the desk.