59. Hannah

FIFTY-NINE

Maddox still has his foot hooked behind mine.

I know I should move, because even though it's unlikely for anyone to see it, it's not impossible. One dropped napkin, and we'd be outed.

But I'm not quite ready to lose contact yet.

I knew I wanted to see him, but I hadn't realized how badly until I walked through that door. So I want to savor this short time together.

I shift my other foot closer until Maddox's ankle is pressed between mine.

Sitting here across the table from him, I can't help but think of that first lunch out together.

I'm not still upset about it. I'm just upset that I spent the time being mad and hurt when I could have just been soaking in his presence.

"Hannah." His deep rumble pulls my attention up.

I hadn't realized I'd been staring at his chest.

I blink, and the project managers snicker next to Maddox.

My cheeks start to heat. "Sorry, totally zoned out there for a second."

"It's alright. Lunch does that to me too sometimes." He smirks at me. "Just wondering if you're done. I can take your trash."

I look at the table and see Maddox has balled up his wrappers.

"Oh, that's alright. I should get back to work." I scoot my chair back and gather up my own garbage.

Brandon is still swapping bites of chips with sips of his drink, so thankfully he doesn't try to get up at the same time.

I know we need to keep this thing between us a secret— so long as we work together— but I'd love to make my feelings for Maddox known, if only to get Brandon to finally back off and leave me in peace.

"See ya," I tell the people around me, then stand from my chair.

Maddox uses his long strides to beat me to the waste cans, and I sort out the trash, compost, and recycling.

I follow him at a normal distance, and Maddox opens the door to the break room and holds it for me to pass through ahead of him.

"So, Hannah." Maddox moves so we're walking side by side. "Did you have a nice morning?"

"Nothing to complain about." I glance up at him. "How about you?"

His brows raise. "Oh, I have plenty to complain about."

"That so?"

He nods. "I had to wake up without my girl at my side."

I bite my lip and keep my eyes ahead of us. "Sounds hard."

Maddox snorts. "It was."

"Oh my god." I elbow him in the side. "You're such a frat boy."

"Now, now," he fake admonishes. "Football is not a frat."

"Sure it's not." I widen my eyes.

Maddox pulls something out of his pocket and holds it out to me.

I can't help the little laugh that comes out. "What is that?"

"A cookie." He looks down and grimaces.

I can sort of recognize it as the ones we just had at lunch. The soft cookies were wrapped in clear plastic and were delicious, but this one is squished into the shape of a stubby taco.

Using his other hand, he tries to flatten it. "It got a little mashed up."

"A little," I snort. "How long has that been in your pocket?"

"Just since the food got here." Having formed it back into the shape of a cookie, Maddox holds it out for me. "They're my favorite." He pats his pocket. "I have another for myself."

I poke at one of the raisins through the cling film. "First the sugary coffee, now raisin cookies? You're full of surprises, Maddox Lovelace."

When he doesn't reply, I look up.

He's staring down at me, the humor gone from his features.

"What's wrong?" I ask quietly, even though the cubicles closest to my office are empty.

His jaw works before he whispers. "I want to kiss you."

"We shouldn't," I whisper back, taking a step into my office. "But I want to, too."