Getting ready for work the next morning seemed to take forever. Her every movement felt like it was dragged down by misery. Kate didn’t pay much attention to her clothes or makeup, just shuffled out the door into the dull, gray morning as if all joy and pleasure had been sucked out of the world.
Of course, the sky is dark, and it’s raining. I don’t even mind. I couldn’t face the sun today.
Kate caught up briefly with Dana when she arrived at work, but they didn’t have time for a long conversation. The time-slowing effect had followed Kate all the way to the discount furniture store, so much so that now she was almost late.
She was plumping up some pillows on an old velvet couch when she saw Phil approaching from the opposite side of the store. There was a determination in his stride she couldn’t fail to notice, as well as a massive bunch of deep red roses clutched in his hands. He was also wearing a cheap, ill-fitting suit that did nothing to flatter him, as well as a neckbeard hat.
Kate kept her eyes down as she dusted the couch, praying he would walk right by her. She had a horrible feeling that the roses, dark gray suit, and tilted black fedora were for her benefit.
Please just keep walking. Don’t stop and talk to me.
“Kate!” Phil said, announcing his presence with an enthusiastic tone. She cringed, standing up slowly as she tried to compose a smile that was pleasant but not too welcoming.
“Hi, Phil,” she said. “I’m just tidying up here, so if you …”
“Now, now,” he said, shaking his head as he cleanly cut her off. “Don’t worry too much about that. You already work so hard. I just want to have a quick chat with you.”
He narrowed his eyes and tipped the hat gently with two fingers, grinning from under the brim. Kate supposed it was meant to be alluring, but it felt more like a Halloween scare than a gesture of attraction.
“Okay. Is it about work?”
“No,” Phil scoffed. “I’ve heard about your troubles, and I just want you to know there’s no need to worry.”
“Oh?” Kate asked, wondering how he knew and was afraid of where this was going.
“I’m the man for you,” he said, grinning. “Now that everything else is out of the way, it's time you let me take you for a date so I can show you how much I care for you.”
Kate stood numbly in front of him, feeling ridiculously overwhelmed. Phil held out the roses as if he was expecting her to snatch them up and explode in joy.
“I’m sorry, Phil. I don’t want any trouble at work. I just won’t date anyone I work with, especially if it’s my supervisor.”
His face fell, and he looked at the ground for a few seconds. The bunch of roses even seemed to wilt just a little. Phil looked up at her. His eyes carried hurt but also coldness.
“Fine, Kate,” Phil said. “Carry on with your work, then.”
“Thank you,” she muttered, going back to dusting the couch. Phil retreated, and Kate hoped that was the end of it.
She struggled through the day, knowing that she was going to see Devlin that night, and she had no idea how they were going to interact with each other. She wanted the old warmth back between them, but she just had no idea what it would take to make it happen.
I know I wounded him. But can’t he also see that he hurt me by asking for too much?
By the time she left work and got ready for the date, she was feeling defensive. Being picked up in a limo and getting into Devlin’s private jet did nothing to soften her feelings. If Kate let herself be impressed by his wealth, she might crack enough to give in to him.
She was surprised when they arrived at a Formula One track, and Devlin escorted her to a luxury skybox. It was an elaborate date for someone who was supposedly going through the motions.
He had not spoken to her the entire time they had been in the limo or the jet. Devlin’s face remained cold and impassive, his eyes hard like stones. Every now and then, she saw his mouth twitch as if he wanted to say something but ended up staying quiet.
He had brought no gifts for her this time, and Kate had to admit, she was a little letdown.
If he loves me as much as he says he does, wouldn’t he continue to make me happy, even if he is upset?
Kate held off from saying anything until they were settled in the skybox and the attendants had left. She’d honestly been expecting roses or jewelry to be waiting for her when they arrived, and once it was clear he hadn’t brought anything, she couldn’t help being disappointed.
Devlin had taken a seat by the front windows, where he glared at the track below, his arms folded across his chest. As Kate looked around the skybox, he looked up at her with cold eyes.
“Is the food okay?” he muttered, gesturing to the buffet table. “Did I choose a decent bottle of wine?”
Kate nodded, sitting beside him. His attitude was beginning to grate against her.