Friday was crazy-busy at work. One of my biggest clients was gearing up for an interface change on their website, which meant hours of examining computer coding and scanning target networks and systems with both commercial and custom vulnerability scanners, amongst hours of simplifying reports for board directors and ensuring their IT department was up to speed. The fact that the client was my ex didn’t help any.

It had been months of intricate planning and hard work, and thankfully, we were pretty much down to the final touches. But I had been so busy, I barely realised what time it was until Rachel knocked on my door and tapped her watch.

Shit. I was going to miss the bus!

I shut down my system, grabbed up my laptop, shoving it in my bag as I ran for the elevator. “Good luck!” Michael called out after me. I ran for the bus, smiling as I stepped aboard with only seconds to spare. I made my way up to the back of the bus where seats were spare, and I slid into one and put my bag beside me, keeping it for Jordan. It was then I noticed a few people watching me, smiling. I smiled right back, politely nodding in their direction, wondering if they were the soup crowd, but pretty sure they were.

More people got on the bus and I had a feeling I’d have to give up Jordan’s seat. A guy came up confidently, expecting me to move my bag, and with a reluctant sigh, I did. But the small lady in the backseat intervened. “No, this seat is taken,” she said, putting her handbag on the seat. “You can sit here.” She moved over, giving him a seat beside her. He looked confused, but she grinned at me. “I look out for you,” she said, just about beaming, then she nodded to the front of the bus. “Here he is.”

And yes, there he was. His coat was blue, his scarf and boots were tan, matching his aesthetic perfectly. His smile lit his whole face when he saw me, and he made his way up the bus. He nodded to the woman who had saved his seat. “Mrs Petrovski.” Then he nodded to the faces who had smiled at me. “Charles, Becky, Sandra, Ian.” And then he sat down. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

“I think we have an audience,” he said quietly.

“I think so too.” God, my heart was hammering. “You look really good today.”

I was rewarded with a rich blush. “Oh. Um, thanks.” He let out a rush of breath. “You do too. How was work?”

“Busy.” I patted my messenger bag. “I’ll be working late tonight.”

He wrinkled his nose. “Ew.”

I chuckled. “It’s not so bad. You?”