Valerie stared at him. “Aren’t those supposed to get passed around the office?”

Luke shrugged. “It’s just a couple. You’re the fastest and most efficient. I need this done yesterday. I don’t want to waste my time with those slackers. It’s no big deal.”

Valerie took the files and read them. They were both looking to buy commercial buildings and had big budgets. She didn’t feel comfortable with this. If anyone in the office found out, they might accuse Luke of playing favorites.

“You think you can get a list together and set up something by next week?”

“Yeah, sure.” She started to walk toward the door.

“Hey,” Luke said. “Is sevenish okay for tonight? I’m gonna try to get out of here earlier than normal. I’m a good cook just not very fast.”

“Yeah, that’s fine.” Valerie still wasn’t one hundred percent sure about tonight. She’d just play it by ear.

She walked to her cubicle and pulled out her laptop. The envelope on the screen of her phone when she set it down reminded her of the unheard message from Alex.

She stared at it for a second before picking up the phone and dialing her voicemail. Her heart fluttered when she heard his deep voice. Every word he said made her heart race faster. Then she felt the knot at her throat when she heard the words, “Please tell me you haven’t given up on us.”

Taking a deep breath, she saved the message. She knew she should just delete it, but there was no way. God, how did he do that? One message and she was close to tears. She missed being with him so much and hearing his voice made her miss him even more. He sounded so sincere. He always did. There was no way she could concentrate now. Valerie glanced at the time. She hurried outside with her phone and immediately dialed Isabel.

This was Isabel’s hour between classes. She paced outside until Isabel answered.

“What’s up?” Isabel chirped.

“He left a message.”

“Who?”

“Alex.”

She heard Isabel exhale. “And?”

“Isabel, it sounded so sincere.” Valerie pulled her hair behind her ear and moved the phone to her other ear. “He said he hopes I haven’t given up on us.”

“Val, hon, he always sounds sincere. We’ve been over this a million times. He has a huge ego. Always has. He can’t stand the thought of you with someone else, but he’ll never be a one woman guy.”

Valerie’s heart was still pounding with excitement from his words. “I don’t know, Isabel. I’ve never heard him like this. You think… you really think it’s just wishful thinking on my part?”

“I know it is. This is the longest you’ve been away from him. He must be feeling the weight of it, too. Seeing you with someone else, I’m sure, is contributing to this sudden urge to be with you. But you know what’ll happen if you go back again.”

Valerie nodded. “Yeah, I know. I want you to hear it though when I get home tonight.”

Isabel took a deep breath. “Okay, but you’re not backing out on tonight.”

“No, I won’t.” Not the dinner anyway. She was still on the fence about the rest of the evening.

She finished the list of properties to show in a matter of minutes. Then she called Sarah to let her know the offer had been accepted on the property next door to the restaurant. She begged her to please let Alex know and she’d update them on the escrow. As unprofessional as she knew that was, there was no way she was calling him directly.

After hanging up, she left early without even saying goodbye to Luke. She’d see him tonight. There’d been plenty of times she rushed out of the office without saying goodbye to him. She didn’t want to start any habits now. But mostly, she was avoiding any possible embraces. It was happening already. Just hearing Alex’s message had begun to affect the way she felt about her relationship with Luke.

Back home, she did everything she could to keep her mind off the message. But she couldn’t fight the urge to listen to it just one more time. She hated to admit it but it made her feel good. Too good. That damn lingering hope was back. As much as she told herself he would never change, something about the way he sounded in the message stood out to her. He’d always been good about pleading his case in the past, but this time he sounded almost desperate.

Damn it, Valerie. Stop it.

As soon as Isabel got home, Valerie rushed to her with her phone in hand.

“Okay, just listen to the message, and tell me what you think. But be open minded.”

Isabel put her things down on the counter and peered at Valerie. “Really? One message and you’re acting like this?”

“C’mon, Isabel.” Valerie dangled the phone in front of her. “Just listen to it.”

Valerie dialed the voicemail and hit the prompts until Alex’s message was about to start. She put it against Isabel’s ear and watched Isabel’s unreadable expression closely. But when it was over she frowned.

“Valerie, I don’t doubt for a second that he misses you. But what exactly is it that you’re supposed to not give up on? The possibility that he may one day, be able to be with just one woman? That’s pretty selfish, don’t you think?”

Valerie listened and watched as Isabel gathered her things from the counter. She followed her into her room and sat on the bed while Isabel put every little thing back in its place. She even had a holder on her dresser for her sunglasses.