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“You can’t be serious.” I felt the back of my neck get clammy, beads of sweat forming in my hairline. I was seconds away from a full-on panic attack. “Please, push the button,” I pleaded, heart racing as I tried to move toward the panel on the wall. But he wouldn’t let me, his hand gripping my waist.
“What’s the matter? Do I make you nervous?” He grinned a celebrity-worthy grin that would under any other circumstances make me swoon. Instead, I wanted to slap him for being cocky at my expense.
“Don’t be an arrogant ass!” I pushed him back, but he didn’t budge. My breathing hitched, and I gripped my neck as the air grew thicker, suffocating me. I blinked back tears, losing the battle to not fall apart. “Please, push the button. Push the fucking button!” Tears rushed down my face as I gasped for air. My legs wobbled as I bent at the knees, my arms weakening with my ten-ton portfolio pulling me toward the floor.
“Oh, shit! I’m so sorry.” He slammed his hand on the button just as the room went dark.
I woke to a bell dinging, my weightless body cradled as a rush of fresh air filled my lungs. As I focused my eyes, my vision was flooded by a regretful, pained expression on William’s face as he carried me out of the elevator.
“God, Miranda, I am so sorry. So incredibly sorry.”
“What happened?” a woman asked. “Should I call for an ambulance?”
“Yes!”
“No.” I shook my head, filling my lungs with air. “I’m all right.”
“Are you sure? Jesus, I’m sorry.” He laid me gently on a leather sofa and whipped his blazer off and folded it into a pillow, then tucked it under my head. He was on his knees beside me, brushing the hair out of my eyes and caring for me protectively. “I’d feel better if you were examined. What happened in there? Are you diabetic? Joyce, get some juice!” he yelled.
“No, really. I’m claustrophobic, not diabetic.”
He released a deep breath and pressed his forehead to mine. With a crowd forming around us, I didn’t know what to do nor did I have the strength to care. Frankly, I enjoyed having his hands on me. But dang was this an awkward situation.
“William! Oh my, what happened?” Mrs. St. James’s voice echoed in the lobby and the clacking of her heels jolted me. “Miranda?”
I was done. The job was no longer mine; I was sure of it. Mrs. St. James would see me as a drama queen. Or maybe she’d think I pulled a fainting stunt just to secure the account. Either way, I could kiss this once in a lifetime opportunity goodbye.
“She fainted in the elevator. Claustrophobic.” William pulled back and stood. “She’ll be fine. I’m going to drive her home or to her office,” he said decidedly.
“No, no, that’s okay. I’m fine.” I raised up to a sitting position. “I just need a minute to catch my breath.”
“Nonsense, William will drive you. I insist.”
How could I argue with her? Claire eyed him, a slight curl to her lip. Weird. But I was probably never stepping foot into SJI again, so I wouldn’t worry myself about it.
Boy, I hoped my fainting in an elevator didn’t make the evening news.
Will
I decided to have Maurice, my mother’s driver, do the honors of driving Miranda back to her office. I wanted to be with her in the back seat. Feeling like the worst person on the planet, I had to be sure she was okay.
I typed out a quick text to Jason as Miranda continued breathing deeply. The pink had returned to her cheeks, and even with a tear-streaked face, she took my breath away.
Will: Miranda fainted in elevator. Order in lunch. Taking her to her office.
Jason: Fainted? Did you scare her with your micropenis? Where should I wait? How long?
Will: Fuck off! My office. 2hrs.
Jason: OK.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket, still in disbelief at my luck seeing her again. But the shame I felt was acute. I turned toward her. “I’m truly sorry about—”
“Please, stop apologizing. You had no way of knowing I was claustrophobic.”
“Yeah, but what kind of man traps a woman he hardly knows in an elevator?”
“A cocky man,” she said directly. “What I don’t understand is why. Intimidation? Arrogance? A cheap thrill? A bet between you and your friend to see if I’d get on my knees for you like the last girl?” She shook her head, clearly disgusted with me. Hell, I couldn’t blame her.
