8. Maddox

EIGHT

MADDOX

Damn. I didn't even need to be watching diligently. Pretty sure that squeaky-ass cart could've woken me from a dead sleep.

Instead of jumping out of my chair, I fight my chaser instincts and stay put.

Both times I've seen this girl, she's bolted. Run away like a frightened little bunny.

And I don't want to scare her. I want to… get to know her.

A few people glance her way, looking for the source of the noise, but she keeps her gaze on the ground.

I chose this spot because I can see the entirety of the long front desk. I assumed that's what she did here. It hadn't even occurred to me she could do something else. But this? This is perfect. Because now I can talk to her one-on-one. I don't have to stand at the desk with all her coworkers listening to our every word.

I look over to the desk and catch that same girl from before staring at me. The one who acted like I was invisible.

I almost smile, betting she went and found my girl to give her a heads-up.

But it doesn't matter if Bunny knows I'm here. I'm not trying to be sneaky. I'm also not going to give up.

The squeak stops, and I turn my attention back to my mystery girl.

From twenty feet away, I watch the side of her mouth pull down into a little frown. Then she steps around her cart and presses the button to call the elevator.

I sit forward.

The elevator doors slide open.

I set down the magazine I was pretending to read.

She pushes her noisy-ass cart forward.

I stand.

She turns around and presses the button for the floor she wants.

I take a step forward.

Her eyes lift. And meet mine.

The elevator doors slide shut.