Chapter 12: Part 4

Throughout the day, Sera finds herself on the top of her game. It's like the first time she tried Jack's coffee. Her veins are strumming with energy and this time, her mind is so much clearer and focused. Work seems to breeze by. After her lunch break, she's even finished "correcting" Amanda's paper and emailed it back to her. She's about to head to Mrs. Valentine for more work when Gabe approaches her desk.

"Hey, Sera. Since I'm just getting the hang of things around here, is there a good place to eat?" he asks, folding his big, strong arms over her cubicle and resting his chin on top of them.

She leans back in her chair to get away from his stark cologne. "Well, there's the cafeteria on the first floor, but I wouldn't eat there unless you're really desperate." His dark eyes gleam at me as I continue, "There's a good deli down the street, or you could have pizza and Chinese delivered, but you might want to meet them in the lobby. Food has a way of disappearing around here."

He nods. "Would you like to come with me to the deli? You know, so I don't get lost."

His proximity is doing something weird to her insides again. It's a strange sensation she's never felt before, like the anticipation from a big rollercoaster drop.

"Sorry, I just got back from lunch, you can ask Amanda, I don't think she went yet. Her desk is—"

"No." he states a little too loudly, "I'm sure I will find it okay. Maybe tomorrow then?" He doesn't wait for a response before stalking off toward the elevator. Sera leans over, watching as he leaves and tries to figure this guy out. He turns around inside the elevator meeting her gaze, and without missing a beat, he winks at her. The doors close breaking her spell. This guy—whoever he is—is someone she doesn't want to mess with. She shakes her head before turning, meeting the curious eyes of Nosey Nancy. With a roll of her eyes, she leans back in her chair to stare at the list of emails coming in for the day. She skips past the three from Nancy and continues on to her past due claims and picks up the phone receiver to get started once again.

Sera is still on the phone when Amanda strolls up to her desk with her purse over her shoulder at about quarter to five in the afternoon. She waits as patiently as Amanda can by going through everything in Sera's purse, trying on her perfume, reading through her notebook, and popping the top on her lip gloss all before Sera finally places the phone on the receiver.

"Are you done going through my stuff?" Sera asks tossing her things back into her bag.

"So, Sera... I hear New-Guy-Gabe has been asking around about you." Amanda raises her eyebrows in unison a few times. "I don't date people from work."

"But," she mutters, "I don't get it, he's such a stud. How can you resist?" she leans back trying to see him from Sera's desk.

"There's something fishy about him, and he looks like a player—you should stay away." Sera points an accusatory finger at her.

"Don't hate the playa, hate the game," Amanda announces.

"He doesn't have a chance in hell at playing games with me."

"How can you have such will power Sera? I mean he's totally gorg. How do you not swoon every time he glances in your direction?"

Sera rolls her eyes, "I don't swoon."

"You don't say. Well, I look forward to the day when Seraphina Cross finally meets her match."

"You and I both," Sera mutters.

Her best friend laughs, "Come on let's get out of here." Amanda attempts to pull her chair out for her.

"Hold on, I just need to finish this..."

"What are you? Competing for employee of the month? I think Gabe's got that covered, let's go." Amanda finally succeeds in prying Sera out of her chair. Sera turns her computer off before grabbing her purse and jacket out of the bottom drawer of her desk. She glances back at the cubicles. The top of Gabe's head can be seen over the top of his. He stirs in his seat.

"Let's get out of here," Sera announces. The two girls walk over to the elevator before the rush of the rest of the office.

"What do you think of this lipstick?" Amanda randomly asks pursing her lips.

"It's a little ridiculous for work."

"I meant the color."

"It's nice."

"It's called 'The Mistress.'"

"Oh, well then it's totally appropriate for you," Sera teases, playfully smacking her arm.

They share a good laugh before the elevator doors open. Climbing inside, Sera closes her eyes as the pulleys start to lower them. Amanda is blabbing on, knowing she needs a distraction. Amanda's chatter is background noise to Sera attempting to control her breathing—in and out, in and out, until finally the elevator clangs to the bottom. The doors open and they weave their way through the maze of patients in the lobby.

Walking down the oval driveway to their cars, Amanda is telling Sera all about the guy from the bar and how things just aren't working out.

"Hey, Sera!" The girls both turn to see Gabe running down the driveway toward them. How did he make it down so fast?

Amanda elbows her in the ribs and she whispers, "I'll catch up with you later." Reluctantly, she lets Amanda slip her arm from hers and head to her car as Gabe approaches. His cologne hits her first, and she chokes trying to breathe through her mouth.

"Hey, would you like to grab something to eat?" he asks pointing over his shoulder to his huge truck. Wow, this guy is persistent.

"I kind of have plans, I'm sorry."

"Oh, okay," the disappointment on his face is apparent with his every word, "How about lunch tomorrow?"

"Uh, yeah, we'll see." She shrugs turning toward her car, "I'll see you tomorrow." Her eyes lock with Amanda's across the way. There is no doubt that she has been watching the entire interaction. Sera sees her friend mouth 'Oh my God' and Sera rolls her eyes before collapsing into her car. She starts it up and shoots her a little wave before pulling out of the spot and heading for home.