“Also.” I pause, looking at him expectantly. He closes his eyes and takes in a breath as if he’s not looking forward to what hehas to say next. My stomach turns, worrying that I must have messed something up, but it melts away the second he starts to speak. “If you want to decorate your space, you don’t have to come in early to do so. You’re highly efficient at your job and have excellent time-management skills. A few minutes here and there to make your space more comfortable is no problem.”
I blink at him once before my jaw drops a bit as I pretend to stumble, putting a hand to my chest and leaning on the doorway for support. He looks at me with concern, but I speak before he can question me.
“Was that a compliment?”
“I’m sorry?”
“I think you just complimented me,” I say with wide eyes.
“No, I didn’t,” he says quickly, but I shake my head.
“Yes, you did. You said I’m competent at my job. That’s a compliment, Graham.”
I close my eyes and smile to myself.
“What are you doing?” he asks, sounding incredibly exasperated. It makes me smile wider.
“Savoring the moment. A compliment is step one on our friendship journey, you know.”
I push aside the fact that hedefinitelycomplimented me plenty the night before I started working here. I open one eye at him, taking in his face, which looks as confused and annoyed as I had pictured. “This came much sooner than I anticipated.”
He rolls his eyes and shakes his head at me, but I can see the light of entertainment on his face.
“You’re a pain. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Every day of my life,” I say with a smile. “Later, Graham.”
“Have a good night, June.”
On Friday, I pop my head inside Graham’s office midday.
“Want to grab lunch? I’m calling in take-out since it’s disgusting out.” The gloomy, rainy weather means I won’t get to eat outside in the sun, so ordering in from my favorite local lunch spot was a needed treat. He stares at me for a moment, and I think he might just take my offer before he shakes his head.
“No, I’m good. Thank you, though.”
“One day,” I say with a smile.
“Not likely,” he replies low.
“I’m very perseverant, Graham. I’m going to wear you down one of these days.”
He glares at me, and I wave, turning back to my desk, but as I leave, I hear him mumble under his breath, "That’s what I’m afraid of," and I know I am definitely getting closer.
By the time my lunch is almost over, I’m getting terribly antsy. I’ve come to realize that while I enjoy this new job, I need something to break the monotony of sitting all day. I’m used to being on my feet, teaching, physically and mentally exhausting myself, and not doing that has left me jittery by the end of the day. Normally, getting outside for my lunch helps, but since it’s pouring rain today, I have to get creative. With ten minutes left in my break, I do what I always used to do in my classroom on a rainy day when the kids needed to let out a bit of excess energy: pull up a random music video, hit play, and start dancing out my wiggles.
“What are you doing?” a deep voice asks halfway through my song. I look over my shoulder at him and see he’s watching me,leaning in the doorway of his office with something akin to alarm on his face.
“I’m dancing,” I say, explaining the obvious. He blinks at me as I continue to move in place, shaking out my arms and legs.
“I see that,” he says slowly, brows furrowing deeper. “Whyare you dancing in the middle of the office?”
“I’m doing a brain break. I used to do it with the kids. Every so often, you’ve got to get up and move your body, get the wiggles out. Keeps you on your toes and your energy high, especially on a gloomy day like this.” I reach out to him. “Want to join?” He looks at my outstretched hand and shakes his head, a small scowl on his lips.
“I don’t think that would be… appropriate,” he says
“Friends dance together.”
“Too bad we’re not friends.”
