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As I fastened the tiny pearl buttons of my blouse, my mind drifted back to my last encounter with Dominic. The way he'd looked at me, his dark eyes smoldering with intensity, had sent shivers down my spine. And when our hands brushed ever so briefly, I couldn't help but feel a jolt of electricity course through my body.
It was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying, knowing I'd be working closely with someone who had such an effect on me. Could I maintain my composure around him? Was it possible to separate my attraction to him from our professional relationship?
"Focus, Calla," I chided myself, adjusting my skirt and taking one last glance in the mirror. "You're here to work, not drool over your boss."
With a deep breath, I grabbed my favorite silver pendant necklace and slipped it around my neck, letting the familiar weight of the charm settle against my chest. It was a talisman, a reminder of the strength I possessed, even when faced with alluring distractions like Dominic.
"Alright," I said to my reflection, offering myself a determined smile. "Let's do this."
Stepping into the kitchen, I inhaled deeply as the comforting aroma of freshly-ground coffee beans filled the air. My fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic mug, my mind still lingering on Dominic. "Ugh, get a grip," I muttered under my breath, attempting to clear my head.
"That smells so good," I remarked, savoring the rich scent before taking a tentative sip. Cassie must have made it before stepping into the shower this morning. Whatever she was doing, I was thankful for it. The warmth spread through my body, grounding me and bringing me back to the present moment.
With a sigh, I settled down at the kitchen table, my laptop waiting patiently for my attention. Flipping it open, the screen came to life, revealing a cluttered inbox filled with unread messages. I skimmed through the subject lines, searching for anything related to my new job at the medical center.
"Let's see," I mused, clicking on an email from Dominic. My heart skipped a beat as I read his words – professional, yet undeniably flirtatious. I felt a warmth start to radiate from my depths. I scolded myself, resisting the urge to read too much into his message.
"Thank…you…I'll…be…sure…to…bring…some." My fingers flew across the keyboard, addressing Dominic's request for me to bring some identification to finalize the employee paperwork. I couldn't help but steal glances at the clock, counting down the minutes until I'd see Dominic again.
The muffled sounds of movement coming from Cassie's room pulled me out of my thoughts. I glanced at her closed door, my heart pounding with the need to share my nervousness about working under Dominic as my boss. I took a deep breath and rapped on her door gently, hoping she was awake enough for a chat.
"Hey, Cass? You up?" I called softly, leaning against the doorframe.
"Come in, Calla." Cassie's voice sounded like her morning-voice, but welcoming.
As I pushed open the door, I found her butt sticking out of her closet.
"What are you doing?" I asked her.
"Oh, just doing some organizing. I can't seem to find anything in this closet." She stood up and looked at me. "What's up?" She looked adorable, with her messy hair and sleepy expression.
"First-day nerves," I admitted, taking a seat on the edge of her bed. "I'm freaking out about working with Dominic as my boss. I mean, we hooked up... I don't know what I'm doing, Cass. Is this the dumbest idea I've ever had?"
Cassie patted my hand gently, her warm smile soothing my racing thoughts. "Relax, Calla. Take it one day at a time. You were hired because you're damn good at what you do. Your career is going to be your focus for now. And if love happens along the way, that's okay, too. But don't let it overshadow this amazing opportunity."
"Love? That's... quite a leap, isn't it?" I chuckled nervously, feeling my cheeks heat up at the thought of falling for Dominic.
"Maybe," Cassie conceded, giving me a knowing look. "But life has a funny way of surprising us. Just take things slow and see where they go. No pressure, alright?"
"Alright," I agreed, trying to embrace her advice. "I'll focus on work and not let myself get too caught up in the… other stuff."
"Good," Cassie said, nodding approvingly. "Now, go have an amazing first day. And remember, everything is going to be totally fine."
"Thanks," I replied, feeling a little more grounded and ready to face the day. I took a deep breath, forcing my nerves to settle as I finished the last sip of my coffee. The rich, warm liquid seemed to ground me, providing a sense of normalcy and comfort in this whirlwind of a morning. As much as I tried to focus on work, thoughts of Dominic and our shared connection from the night we shared kept creeping back into my mind.
"Well, here goes nothing," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in an attempt to clear it. It was going to be an interesting day, to say the least.
As I gathered my things – laptop bag, purse, keys – I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and nervousness about seeing Dominic again. Would our encounter change the dynamic between us? How would we navigate the professional line with such potent chemistry in play?
"Alright, I'm off," I announced, preparing to head out the door. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck, Calla," Cassie called out from her room, her voice warm and encouraging. "You're gonna kick ass today. I know it."
"Thanks," I replied gratefully, and she rushed out of her room to quickly give me a hug. Her familiar scent and embrace provided me with a sense of reassurance that I desperately needed. "And thanks for the chat earlier. You always know how to make me feel better."
"Anytime, sis," she said, squeezing me tightly before letting go. "Now go show them what you're made of."
With a renewed sense of determination, I headed for the door. I knew I had to face this day head-on, no matter how complicated my feelings for Dominic might be. And as I stepped out of the apartment, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, Cassie was right: if love happened along the way, that was okay too.
