From the moment I fell asleep that night until the moment I woke up the next morning, all I could think about were Kori's lips on mine.

Yeah, I need to do that again.

As I drove to work the next morning, fear suddenly crept in.

What if Kori is freaking out now that we kissed and she is going to go cold on me again?

I prepared myself to expect that once I got to work. It would break me if it happened...but it's better to prepare.

When I walked up to my desk, someone was waiting for me there.

Denae.

"Good morning, Ashley," Denae smiled at me, "How's it going?"

I set my bag down on my desk, "Good," I said, "How was your Thanksgiving?"

"Family drama, but doesn't everyone have that? I'm actually glad to be back at work," Denae smiled at me.

"Sorry to hear it," I said to Denae, wondering why she was at my desk, "I'm definitely familiar with family drama."

"Maybe we can talk about it sometime," Denae looked at me, "I noticed that you never added me on Instagram."

Seriously?

"I'm sorry," I said, "I don't use social media all that much. I'll add you now."

I pulled my phone out of my blazer pocket and brought up Instagram.

"My username is denaehilton97," Denae said, glancing down at my phone to see if I was following her.

I did, and Denae pulled her phone out and followed me back.

"Awesome," Denae smiled at me, "I've got to get back down to Accounting, but I'll see you around."

As Denae walked off, I noticed Kori walk into the department.

Denae walked past Kori and said politely, "Hello, Kori."

"Hi Denae," Kori said back to her, and glanced at me.

Kori then walked over to Lewis and started talking to him, and Grace then walked over to me.

"That's Denae from accounting who was just talking to you, right?" Grace asked me.

I nodded, "It was, yes."

"She's cute. I can tell she's into you by how she was looking at you," Grace smiled at me.

I chuckled nervously, "We're just going to be friends if anything. I don't mess around with co-workers."

I just mess around with my boss.

Grace nodded, "I respect that! It can get pretty messy."

I then noticed Kori start to walk away from Lewis, and she glanced back at Grace and I and waved.

I wonder if she wants me to come talk to her?

Grace and I waved back to Kori, and then Grace said, "I am so not in the mood for work today. Want to grab coffee and a sandwich with me on our lunch break?"

"Neither am I," I agreed, "And sure, sounds good."

About a half hour into working, I decided to get up to make some coffee in Kori's office.

I didn't actually care about the coffee.

I cared about seeing Kori.

I walked to Kori's office, and her door was closed. Once again, nerves kicked in about her possibly being cold to me.

But I knocked on her office door, nonetheless.

"Come in," Kori's voice came through from the other side of the door.

I opened the door to Kori's office, and she looked up at me from her desk.

Relief washed over me when Kori gave me a genuine smile.

"Close the door behind you," Kori said to me.

I did as she said, and then turned back around.

"I'm here to make coffee," I said to her, my heart suddenly racing.

"Go right ahead," Kori said, still looking at me.

I could feel Kori's eyes lingering on me as I walked over to the Keurig and Nespresso. As I waited for the Keurig to finish, Kori asked me, "Do you want oat milk creamer? I remember you asked for it last time."

I nodded, "Yes, thank you."

Kori reached down into her mini fridge and pulled out a white bottle.

I watched as she walked over to me and was very aware of her hand brushing against mine as she handed the bottle over to me.

"Thanks," I smiled at her, and I opened the cap and poured a bit of creamer into my coffee.

"I'll take that," she said, and I handed her back the creamer.

However, she didn't put it back in the fridge right away.

There was a pause before Kori asked me, "Did you only come in here to make coffee?"

I met Kori's gaze, "Not exactly. I wanted to see you after last night. Alone."

A small smile toyed on Kori's lips and she said quietly, "If I'm being very honest, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."

"Neither have I," I said back equally as softly, "I'm relieved to hear that from you."

Kori's brow furrowed, "Relieved?"

"I was worried that after we kissed last night you were going to go cold on me again. I would have understood...but I'm really glad that you haven't," I admitted.

"I told you that I'm not going to play games with you. I mean that."

I smiled at Kori, "I'm glad to hear that, Kori."

"Can I ask you one thing?"

I nodded, "Of course."

"I know it's not really my business. But what exactly did Denae want?"

I could see a flash of concern in Kori's eyes as she asked me about Denae, and I immediately wanted to reassure her.

"Before Thanksgiving break, Denae told me to add her on Instagram. I never did, and she asked me why I didn't this morning. I told her that I don't use social media much, which isn't a lie. However, she asked me again to follow her, so I did, and she followed me back."

Kori looked at me, "Obviously, you can do what you want. You can talk to whomever you want, including Denae. All I want you to know is that I am very much into you, Ashley."

"Sure, I don't use social media much. But that wasn't the main reason why I didn't follow her over break."

Kori asked softly, "What was the main reason?"

"You. I don't want Denae. If she messages me, or keeps trying to talk to me, I'll tell her I'm not interested."

Kori smiled at me, and I could tell she was relieved.

"I'm glad to hear that, of course. Very glad to hear that."

I smiled back at Kori, she then murmured, "Oh, how I wish I could kiss you right now, Ashley. But I can't. Not here."

"So maybe we can find another time outside of work."

Kori nodded, "I'll be sure to text you."

I'm going to hold her to that.

When I got home from work, Trey was in the kitchen, and whatever he was cooking smelled amazing.

Trey is actually quite a good cook, he always says that if his parents didn't pressure him to become a nurse, he would've wanted to go to culinary school.

"What are you cooking? It smells great," I said, walking up to him in the kitchen.

"Butternut squash risotto. I was in the mood for something warm and comforting," Trey said, "You're more than welcome to have some."

"I will very likely take you up on that."

Trey flashed me a grin, "Good. I'm making plenty. I'm going to bring a container of it to Colin as well."

"It seems like things are going in the right direction with him," I said to Trey.

"They are, except I don't think we're being completely honest with each other."

"What about?"

"I want more than just to hook up. Colin is really great, and I like him a lot, and I think he feels the same way about me. But it's like we just can't say it. Neither of us has the balls to."

"Trey, you're one of the most forward people I know. Just tell him how you feel, rip the bandaid off."

Trey chuckled, "I know I'm super forward. But in this situation, I'm kind of scared, Ash. If he doesn't feel the same way about me, I'll be pretty crushed. I haven't liked someone like this in a long time."

"I know it's scary. But all you have to do is be honest with him. No matter what, you're going to be okay, I hope you know that."

"I know, I do. No matter what, I'm always okay," Trey nodded, and then he flashed me a knowing smile, "How are things going with your hot boss?"

"So...last night I met up with her at Keystone Diner."

Trey's blue eyes widened, "No fucking way. She was fine with meeting you one on one in public?"

"I thought the same thing. But it was super late, and there was basically zero chance of us seeing anyone we knew."

Trey's eyes were still wide as he asked, "Did anything happen? Or did you just talk?"

I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks as I said, "We kissed, out by my car."

"Fuck yeah!" Trey cheered, "That's what I like to hear! How was it, was she a good kisser?"

"Of course she was."

"I wouldn't expect anything less. I mean, she's 40 years old, I'd hope she knows how to kiss a woman."

I laughed, "She seems to have that part down. For sure. I can't stop thinking about her, if I'm being honest."

"Ah, you're smitten. Just like me."

I rolled my eyes but smiled, "Smitten is a strong word. However, I'd tell her a little bit as to why I'm not a nurse anymore last night."

Trey's tone was gentle as he asked, "What exactly did you tell her?"

"That I was assaulted by a patient. Nothing more."

Trey was quiet for a second and he then looked at me, "You know that counseling is still available, right? I know that therapy hasn't helped you much in the past, but it could help you this time around."

"I'm okay," I said back to Trey, my body growing tense, "I appreciate it, but I'm alright."

Trey looked unconvinced, but he said, "Alright, I won't push it. Just know it's there."

"I know," I nodded, and then looked at the risotto cooking on the stove, "When will this be done?"

Trey went along with me changing the subject and said, "A few more minutes. Patience, my friend."

At that moment, my phone started vibrating in my purse, and I took it out to see who was calling.

Kori.

I looked at Trey, "It's Kori. Do you mind if I go to my room and take this?"

"Oh my god, no I don't mind. Answer it."

I started walking to my room, and I answered Kori, "Hey, I'm glad to hear from you."

"I know I said I'd text you, but I hate texting. I'd always prefer to call."

"I definitely don't mind getting a phone call from you."

"And I certainly don't mind calling you," Kori said back to me, and then she paused before saying, "I know this is quite...bold of me to ask. Would you want to come over to my place tonight for a drink?"

Without even thinking, I found myself saying, "Yes, of course. I'd love that."

"You don't mind driving over to me?"

"Not at all," I reassured Kori.

"Okay...great. I'll text you my address. Want to come over at around 8?"

"Definitely," I said, heart thumping, "I'm looking forward to seeing you."

"I'm looking forward to seeing you too, Ashley."

I'm really about to go to Kori's place.

It'll be just the two of us.

Alone.