I backed away enough to speak. “Come in with me then and let me thank you for all you’ve done for me today.” For effect I bit down on my lip and saw by the need in Corey’s eyes he intensely wanted to do just that.
“You are so damn tempting, baby, but I have to go.” My face visibly fell- as did my mood.
“Why?” Corey didn’t look ready to leave, but he did seem happy to see my gloomy expression at him leaving.
“My other closer tonight, Connor, called in sick so I can’t leave Sanders to do it all by himself on a Sunday night.” I nodded, understanding he had responsibilities, but felt a sudden dislike for his job.
“If it’s any consolation, I’d much rather take you up on your offer.” I smiled and felt my sweet side slip away. My mouth found his again as I pressed my hands into his hard, tight muscles. Sucking on his tongue and nipping at it as we broke apart. Corey’s azure eyes bore into mine with the need to whisk me away right here and now.
“Have fun at work,” I replied as sweetly as possible.
“That was just mean.” I winked and stepped past him. A soft yelp escaped me as he reached back around and swatted my tush as I walked away.
“See you later, Sweets.”
With a smile and a wave I retired to my house and got ready for bed. My body was exhausted but I couldn’t help but feel bummed about how suddenly empty my bed felt. Almost every night Corey managed to end up next to me, whether we were at his place or mine. I never thought it was a big deal, but laying here now feeling the cold next to me, made me see just how reliant I was on his strong, comforting arms to hold me while I drifted off.
Interrogation
Monday morning my fingers slowly slid to the side of the bed Corey usually occupied; instead they only grazed a cold empty pillow. Not only was it unusual waking up without him, but something about this just felt…off. There wasn’t much time to contemplate it though; I had to get ready for work. Thankfully getting dressed distracted me from the swarm of emptiness in my chest—but only for a little while. When I went to the kitchen to make breakfast, there was no delicious food waiting for me but worse—no Corey. The playful banter, the lingering glances, the way he knew how to start my day in the perfect way.
I missed every bit of it.
The coffee maker was the only thing making a sound. I was frustrated with how lonely I felt, especially when I have spent many years doing this very thing—completely alone. Corey’s words slowly played through my mind—I was his best friend.
Boyfriend was a title I was far too terrified to bestow on anyone. Best friend though, that was something I felt too. I missed him when he wasn’t around; I found myself wishing he would pop in, even for a moment. When he was around it was rare to find me without a smile or him, for that matter.
After I finished my breakfast and headed into work, I did all I could to convince myself even as a best friend, Corey wouldn’t be around every day. So why is it that I wanted him around so much? I appreciated the distraction, when Bailey was already waiting at the reception desk for me; following behind as I headed off to my office.
“You have clients here, waiting for a wedding consultation.” She said in a rushed single breath, just as I was about to sit.
“What! It’s ten o’clock in the morning! I had nothing like that scheduled for today.”
Bailey’s eyes were empathetic; she has realized fairly quickly when working alongside me, just how much I rely on order and structure.
“They arrived about half hour ago and insisted on waiting.”
“Shit! I’ll go to them now.”
“Wait—don’t you want to know about them?” She reached out to grab my arm to stop me.
“No need, I’ll wing it.” I grabbed my wedding binder and note pad before taking off to find them.
As fast as I could run in my heels, I headed towards the banquet hall. Two women were in the room; one stood by the expansive wall-to-wall windows, talking on her phone. While the other sat drumming her fingernails against the tabletop. Neither looked familiar, but I decided introducing myself to the