Page 118 of Brighter Together

“Tommy?”

The door opens a few inches and Ella peers inside.

“Alex is here.”

“Send him in.”

She pushes the door wider and Alex steps into the office.

“Afternoon,” he says.

“Afternoon.”

Ella stays by the door.

“Tea, coffee?”

Alex nods. “Tea for me, please.”

Then she looks at me. “Tommy?”

“I’m fine.”

Her eyes drop to the mug beside my keyboard.

“You’ve been fine with that one for about an hour.”

I pick it up and take a sip.

Cold.

Of course it is.

I hold it towards her.

“I may have reconsidered.”

“Thought so,” she laughs while walking towards me.

She reaches for the mug and her fingers brush mine around the handle.

Barely anything, but my body still notices.

Her eyes meet mine for a second before she takes it.

“Fresh coffee?”

“Please.”

“Coming up.”

Professional.

Perfectly normal.

Then, just before she leaves, the corner of her mouth curves.

“Anything else, sir?”