7

Richard

I take the opportunity to observe Maya while she’s distracted with reading the contract. This weird feeling in my chest hasn’t stopped since she walked into my space, and the way she looks at me makes me feel alert.

Her feet dangle an inch above the carpet, with the edges of her shoes irritatingly grazing the floor. From the offensively cheery strawberry fabric of her dress to the way she laughs, I’m somewhat disarmed by her presence.

I hate it. There’s nothing I want more than for her to be gone from my eyesight and olfactory range.

I pull at the tie wrapped around my collar to relieve some of the tension in my neck. My eyes drop to the stupid pin located above the curve of her breast.

Bloom even when the sun doesn’t shine.

She’s an uncomfortable bright spot in my office, and I’m tempted to…