First Love

by Lena Hart

  Grabbing her notepad and company-issued smartphone, Sabrina headed to her meeting. She was leading her first project at the company, and though it was a small job, she was excited to have something other than meetings to set up and coffee orders to take. She understood those were all a part of “paying her dues,” but she had an expensive master’s degree she wanted to put to use.

  Entering the small conference room, she found Dale already inside along with the one person she had been eager to see all week.

  Jake.

  Both men looked up as she walked in, but her focus was centered on a pair of blue eyes that stared back at her as she made her way toward the small conference table. He looked even better than she remembered, with the sleeves rolled up on his dark, collared shirt, exposing thick, muscular forearms. When he smiled at her, her heart fluttered. She smiled back.

  “Hey, Sabrina,” Dale called out, pulling her attention away from Jake. “I should be ready in a sec. The video conference is not syncing with my files, but IT’s working on it and it should be up in a minute.”

  “Alright.” Sabrina found it odd that he would refer to Jake as if he wasn’t sitting right beside him. “I’ll just send Helen an email letting her know we’ll dial-in in about five minutes.”

  Sabrina began to draft the short message to their main contact. Dale was the lead Art Director on the project with her, and this would be their second teleconference with their print vendor to review some design concepts for pricing and production. It was important that they be able to visually walk through the artwork with the online vendor.

  As she sat in the nearest seat, she concentrated on the small device in her hands, not wanting to embarrass herself by gazing over at Jake like a lovesick teenager. She was twenty-four, for crying out loud. Yet she knew the signs of a crush when she had one. And she was crushing on Jake-the-IT-Guy hard.

  Dale made small talk as Jake continued working to get the video conference up and she replied with short, polite answers. He proceeded to give her a bit of info on their print vendor and how to handle them.

  “When we get on the call, try to be friendly but firm. They like to manipulate the timeline so that we get shortchanged. You’re new here but don’t give in. Helen can be especially sneaky.”

  Sabrina nodded at Dale’s words, though she couldn’t help the annoyance that came over her at his arrogance. Did he think she didn’t know how to handle herself with their associates?

  “Thanks for the heads-up,” Sabrina said, a bit more clipped than she intended. “But I think I can manage a conference call.” She involuntarily glanced at Jake, catching the small curve of his lips.

  Dale must have caught it too because he rounded on him. “Hey man, how’s it coming over there?”

  Jake punched a few more keys, and then pushed his chair back. “You’re all set.”

  Dale took command of his laptop as Jake got up and made his way to the door. Sabrina couldn’t stop her gaze from following him out. He must have felt her eyes on him because he turned and winked at her just before shutting the door. Sabrina glanced away, blushing. She made eye contact with Dale and he stared at her with a curious look on his dark brown face. Thankfully, he said nothing.

  Their meeting ran over, but it had been a productive one, so she couldn’t complain. Their vendor had been a bit pushy, but Sabrina had managed to handle her and was proud to show Dale that she could.

  “Good work, Ms. Monroe.” He smiled crookedly as they ended the call. “I guess I underestimated you.”

  “Yes, you did. But it’s okay. I forgive you.” She sorted her notes into place, smiling to show him she was only teasing. Since they both had plenty to do after the call, they didn’t hang around for small talk like they normally did.

  As they left the small conference room, Dale blurted, “I meant to ask how things worked out with your computer. Did they find out what was wrong with it?”

  “Oh yeah, it turned out the monitor was dead and I was working with an old machine. I should be getting a new one soon.”

  Dale whistled. “Sucks. I don’t know how I would manage. You can request a loaner while you’re waiting, you know.”

  “Yeah, Jake mentioned that, but—”

  “Jake?”

  Sabrina’s face heated up at his curious stare. “Yeah, the guy from IT. Since there weren’t any available loaners, he hooked me up.”

  “Hooked you up? How?”

  “Let’s just say, it took some heavy lifting and borrowing, but he managed to save my butt.” She couldn’t stop the small smile that lifted the corner of her lips. “He’s my hero.”

  Dale nodded, though he didn’t look all that thrilled about it. “Glad you got the help.”

  “Yep. And thanks for putting in that ticket.”

  He winked, the lines above his brows relaxing some. “Anytime, pretty lady.”

  On her way back to her desk, Sabrina stopped by the small kitchen for some of the worst instant coffee she’d ever had, though the horrible coffee was starting to grow on her. And since she didn’t have time to step out, it would have to do. She really needed the boost.

  When Sabrina entered, she was surprised to find Jake there, trying to operate the coffee machine. She stopped in her tracks, and he turned to her, looking sheepish. Around this time, the kitchen was usually deserted, especially since many of the employees made the trip down to the building’s cafeteria for quality brew.

  “Hey.”

  “Hi.” She walked to the cabinets that contained the foam cups. “This is a far stop for you to get coffee,” she said, by way of conversation.

  He shrugged, no longer trying to work the coffee machine. Instead, he stood staring at her in that unnerving way of his. “I like the coffee up here.”

  Sabrina laughed, shaking her head. The IT department was a few floors below hers and no way was the coffee in here worth the trip. “I don’t think anybody likes the coffee in here. And you’re the first person, besides myself, who I’ve seen come near this machine.”

  He laughed, and it was a rich, deep sound that swept over her. “I can see why,” he muttered. “I like a challenge, but man, getting coffee shouldn’t be this hard.”

  She stifled another laugh, not wanting him to think she was laughing at him. “I see. Maybe it’ll help if you put the coffee cup inside. It operates on sensors or something, and won’t run if there’s no cup.”

  He glanced down at the foam cup in his hand then chuckled. “Okay, you caught me. I’m not really here for coffee.”

  Sabrina smiled as she placed her cup inside. “Trying to play hooky from work? I won’t tell if you don’t,” she teased. “But I think it only counts when you actually leave the office.”

  He chuckled. “No. Actually, I came to see you.”

  She froze then glanced up at him. There was no playing coy, no pretending she didn’t know what he meant by those words.

  “Have dinner with me.”

  Sabrina could only continue staring at him. She was dazed and flattered, and she wanted to say yes—she really did—but humiliating memories and her promise to herself kept her from giving in.

  “That wouldn’t be a good idea.”

  “It wouldn’t be a bad idea,” he countered, his intense blue eyes piercing into her.

  No, it wouldn’t, a daring part of her agreed. She liked Jake. Really liked him. But an office romance was not something she dared to start. She cared too much about her job and career to conjure up the kind of trouble it would bring.

  “Is there a boyfriend I need to worry about?” he asked when she remained quiet. His eyes were like sharp Azurite as he waited for her response.

  She shook her head. “No, it’s not that.” She didn’t miss the slight drop of his shoulders. “It’s just…I don’t date guys I work with. It’s a rule of mine.”

  “Good. Then I don’t have to worry about that art guy you work with.”

  Sabrina tilted her head slightly, confused. “Who? Dale? He’s not—”
<
br />   “Yeah, he is,” he interrupted smoothly. “But I’m glad to know he’s not any competition.”

  Competition? She hoped she wasn’t just a game for him. “I don’t date any guy who I have to work with,” she stressed. “That includes you too, Jake.”

  His eyes flashed brilliantly. “I like the way you say my name. It’s sexy.”

  His words took her by surprise, and she wavered amongst disbelief, laughter, and embarrassment. Who says that? Jake was definitely not a shy guy. She shook her head as laughter won out in the end.

  “I’m being serious.”

  “Me too.” He was looking at her as if he could see through her ivory blouse and beige slacks, and with his penetrating stare, maybe he could. A warm flush came over her again, and she didn’t know if it was from embarrassment or desire. Maybe both.

  “Besides,” he added with a sly grin, breaking the sensual tension that had seemed to settle around them in the small space. “I’m only here as a freelancer, so technically we don’t work together.”

  “Nice try,” she said, getting back to their earlier conversation. “But it won’t do. You’re on the payroll, so you’re off-limits, too.”

  Jake wouldn’t give up. “Then let me take you out to lunch?” He suddenly glanced down at the coffee machine. “Better yet, for some real coffee.”

  Another refusal was forming on her lips when he interrupted.

  “It’ll be like a mini-celebration for surviving your first week on the job. And we can just eat in the cafeteria downstairs. I promise I won’t even carry your tray.”

  Sabrina couldn’t hold back the short laugh that burst out of her. He was persistent, she’d give him that. And lunch seemed harmless enough.

  “Fine, we can do lunch. But today is no good.”

  “That’s cool. I’ll be hungry again tomorrow.” He flashed her a devastatingly handsome grin. “I’ll pick you up from your cube at twelve.”

  “Okay,” she agreed, though she realized he hadn’t really asked.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, Sabrina was stunned yet pleasantly surprised to find the brand new, sleek computer system set up at her desk. In the looks department, the new machine was like night versus day, compared to what she had been working with the past few days. Hopefully, it performed just as well, too. A bubble of warmth spread through her as she grabbed the small note that lay across her shiny new keyboard.

  See you at noon.

  The bold, masculine writing that scrolled across the white sheet left her giddy with anticipation. The next few hours, Sabrina kept herself busy but found it hard to concentrate with her excitement.

  Oh, relax already. This is not a date, she reminded herself.

  But it was Friday, the end of her first week on the job, she that only added to her excitement. There was also a lightness in the air that made today feel less frantic than it had felt earlier in the week.

  “Hey, pretty lady, is that smile for me?”

  Sabrina looked up from her monitor to find Dale peering down at her from the semi-tall panel that served as a wall for her cubicle. She had been so lost in her head, she hadn’t heard him approaching.

  “Only if you have those comps for me to review.”

  Dale groaned. “They’re in production now and should be ready soon. In the meantime, I was going to grab some coffee. Want to come?”

  Sabrina glanced at the clock on her computer. It was ten fifty-five. In an hour, she would be having lunch with her cutie from IT. A wide smile formed on her lips and she didn’t care how silly she must have looked to him.

  “No, thanks. Maybe next time.”

  But there would be no next time. Ever since Jake’s comment, she had been a little more aware of Dale’s subtle flirtation but was careful not to encourage it beyond friendship. She should have picked up on it earlier, and it annoyed her to think that she was, once again, missing the signs. But with Jake, the signs were loud and clear—and so was her attraction to him.

  Exactly one hour later, Jake was at her cubicle. He knocked lightly on the thin panel of her workstation, looking much too good in faded jeans and a dark gray polo shirt. The strength of his broad chest and toned arms were unmistakable.

  “You ready?”

  She nodded and grabbed her wallet.

  Today would be her first time venturing down to the company cafeteria, which was very popular among the employees. With her budget, she was forced to bring her lunch, which she usually preferred anyway. But from what she overheard around the office, the food was good and reasonably priced.

  “Thank you for setting me up with my new computer this morning,” she said as they made their way to the elevators. “You must have gotten here real early.”

  He shrugged and flashed an alluring smile, the one she found very sexy. “Actually, it was done last night. I figured there was no need for you to wait if I could get it done then.”

  Sabrina glanced at him, surprised. “You must have been here late, then. I didn’t leave until seven.”

  “Yeah,” he said with another shrug. “We were here late setting up equipment for some big, important meeting happening next week.”

  There had been buzz around the office about the big pitch meeting for a popular client, which would involve a few people from senior management. To think he had taken time last night to set up her computer made her feel special.

  When the elevator arrived, Sabrina hesitated. There was enough room for them to squeeze in, but thinking of the long ride down with that many people crammed inside brought on the familiar tightness in her chest. If they hadn’t had a long ride down, she would have endured. But it would be too long a trip for her to keep her anxiety at bay. There was even a strong chance she would have a full-blown panic attack the moment the doors shut and the thought kept her feet planted where she stood.

  Jake took a step forward but glanced back at her when she didn’t move. “Sabrina?”

  The concern on his face was touching, and she offered him a weak smile. “Do you mind if we wait for the next one?”

  The elevator doors slid shut and she could feel the heat of Jake’s eyes on her, but kept her gaze fixed on the descending numbers. She would have suggested they take the stairs, but even her phobia wasn’t strong enough to have her go down twenty-two floors. In heels.

  “What was that all about?”

  She knew that question was coming. “Nothing. It was just…a little crowded in there.”

  He didn’t push for more, and she was grateful for that. Another elevator soon came, this one with only one other person, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

  When they made it to the busy cafeteria, Sabrina was impressed by the selection offered in the wide space. She had come with somewhat high expectations, and the fancy lunchroom managed to exceed them. The cafeteria was in the shape of a wide semi-circle and had about ten food stations, each serving a different variety of food—from pizza to Asian food to sandwiches, and even Mediterranean. Not to mention the salad and fruit bar planted in the center of the surrounding stations. It was all impressive and a bit overwhelming.

  Jake led her to the station where the trays and containers were stacked. “If you’re looking for the good stuff, stay on the outside,” he said close to her ear. He pulled out two trays, and she placed the disposable food containers on each.

  “You know, I was just kidding about not carrying your tray. I know it’s part of being chivalrous and all that.”

  She laughed. “Well, aren’t you a regular knight in shining armor, but I think I can manage the heavy burden of carrying my tray.”

  “Really? Because I honestly don’t mind being of service, my lady.” He winked at her.

  She laughed again, though she couldn’t help the warmth of awareness that came over her. Why does he keep looking at me like that? “And I’d bet you’d do a fantastic job of it, but I’m sure. Thanks.”

  They made their way around the cafeteria, and while he waited in line for a burger, Sabr
ina went off to explore her options. There were so many, but in the end she settled for the soup and sandwich station. A few minutes later, Jake found her as she placed her specially ordered chicken Caesar wrap on her tray.

  “Done?”

  She nodded and he led them to the checkout line. When she pulled out her credit card, the cashier simply pointed to the sign in front of the register. No cash or credit cards, it read.

  Sabrina frowned. Apparently, she needed the cafeteria’s special pre-paid card to pay for her food. How ridiculous.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Jake said from behind her. “Lunch is on me.”

  Sabrina wanted to decline the offer, not wanting to be obligated to him or have this feel more like a date than it already did, but the line forming behind him forced her to accept.

  “Thanks,” Sabrina muttered as they made their way to the dining area. “I’ll pay you back.”

  “You’d better not,” he said dryly. “I can afford six bucks.”

  The one thing she knew about men was how big their pride was, so she didn’t argue. They passed a few empty tables, but she didn’t say anything. She just continued to follow him until they reached the far end of the dining area, near the windows. In the far corner was a small nook hidden from the rest of the diners, with a few small tables, which sat facing the large window. It was quieter and allowed for some privacy. Sabrina liked it for its brightness since natural light at her cubicle was nonexistent.

  She took the seat facing the window and he slid into the seat beside her, the warmth of his body causing something light and soft to flutter in her belly.

  “This is nice.”

  Jake grinned. “I thought you’d like it.” There wasn’t much room at their table, and his long legs would occasionally brush against hers. She liked it too much to shift away.

  “How’d you discover this hidden gem?” Sabrina asked as she began plucking the lettuce from her wrap.

  “I just found it by accident one day. There’s no privacy on my floor, and sometimes it’s nice to just get away.”