Work Text:
Charlotte’s fingers drummed the counter as she stood impatiently waiting for the machine to spit out her morning cup of coffee. She peeked around the corner of the break room as the main office door opened, ushering in her very attractive co-worker, Sidney Parker, and a frigid blast of winter air. Charlotte shivered. The coffee machine finally finished sputtering. Charlotte quickly added cream to her coffee and turned to make for her desk as swiftly as she dared. The last thing she needed this morning was an awkward run-in with—
“Good morning, Heywood.”
Charlotte stopped, rolled her eyes skyward and took a deep breath. Turning around slowly she faced him. “Good morning, Parker. I didn’t see you come in.”
Sidney smirked in response. “Right…how’s your proposal coming?”
Charlotte stood in the doorway, shifting from one foot to another, “Great, yeah…just a few loose ends to tie up….” Charlotte sipped at her coffee and winced as it seared her tongue. “How’s your big project going?”
Sidney pinned Charlotte with his dark gaze and put his hands in his pockets, unsure of himself, “Slowly, but it’s coming along…I think.” Charlotte hated it when he did that. When he stood looking at her with his soft brown eyes and his hands shoved in his pockets, he looked so young and vulnerable. So…attractive.
Sidney cleared his throat and began busying himself with the coffee maker. “How is that chap you are seeing now?” Sidney glanced at her quickly, “James, wasn’t it?”
Charlotte’s eyes widened and she leaned her back against the door jamb for support. “Oh, umm. Yes, James. He’s…well, I hope he’s alright. We haven’t spoken much recently.” Sidney stopped and turned his attention back to Charlotte. She grimaced, “We sort of…. broke up.”
Sidney studied her silently for a moment. Charlotte looked down into her coffee, observing it intently. “Oh…I’m…sorry…” Sidney cleared his throat and blinked, “I’m sorry to hear that. Are you alright?”
A bit disappointed, Charlotte straightened, building an invisible wall between herself and the man she’d been pining for the past 5 years. “I’m grand. Thanks for asking. I’d better get to work.” Charlotte turned and walked with purpose to her cubicle. Arriving back at her desk, Charlotte sat and put her head in her hands, mentally slapping herself for feeling so awkward around Sidney. She mumbled to herself, “Of course he’s sorry. What else would he say? Come on, Charlotte. Get a grip!”
Sidney watched her walk away, mentally slapping himself for always being so awkward with Charlotte. He’d loved her for 5 years, but never had the courage to ask her on a date, let alone tell her how he felt about her. Sidney ran his fingers through his dark curly hair and whispered to himself, “So stupid. You’re completely hopeless, Parker.” Sidney grabbed his coffee and retreated to his desk, where he buried himself in work for the rest of the morning.
Charlotte had been working steadily all morning. A quick glance at her clock told her she’d lost track of time. It was time for lunch, and she’d left hers on the kitchen counter at home. Charlotte stretched in her chair and began to retrieve her purse when an intraoffice message popped up on her screen. It was from Sidney. Charlotte’s heart began to beat wildly. She opened the message.
Sidney Parker: Lunch?
Charlotte smiled and began to type her response.
Charlotte Heywood: Yes, please.
Sidney Parker: Greek?
Charlotte Heywood: It’s a date.
Sidney Parker: Promise?
Charlotte felt her cheeks heat as she read Sidney’s last message. She slowly wrote a response.
Charlotte Heywood: Meet you out front in 5.
Charlotte quickly gathered her phone and keys and threw them in her purse. She stopped in the restroom to freshen up before heading out front. She stopped short when she saw him. Sidney stood on the sidewalk in his coat facing away from her. His profile cut a very handsome figure. She took a deep breath to steady herself whispering, “Courage, Charlotte.”
Sidney heard her approach on the sidewalk and turned around, flashing her an uncertain smile. “Ready?”
Charlotte smiled in return, “Ready.”
They began to walk down the city street, making for “Alpha”, the popular Greek restaurant at the end of the block.
Sidney chanced a side glance at Charlotte, “Are you really alright after your breakup, Charlotte?”
Charlotte stopped walking. Sidney did likewise and turned to see why Charlotte had stopped. “Are you really sorry about it?”
Sidney furrowed his brow and rubbed his thumb across his lips, “I am if it hurt you.”
Charlotte blushed. “Thank you. But it didn’t. It was very much a mutual parting.”
Sidney smiled and a mischievous look flashed in his eyes, “I’m glad to hear that. Now, about that date…”
Charlotte laughed, “What date?”
Sidney gaped in mock offense, “You said about lunch, and I quote ‘It’s a date.’ I have it on written record.”
Charlotte furrowed her brow and nervously asked, “Do you really want it to be a date?”
Sidney became serious and said, “Very, very much.”
Charlotte took a step closer, smiled and softly responded, “Well then.”
Sidney smiled and laced his fingers through Charlotte’s, “Well then.”
The two walked on, hand in hand, heads bent toward one another, into the future.