I look towards the building entrance where she's disappeared, as if her mere presence had closed any pending conversation. And for an instant, just a second, I find myself wondering:
What would it take for her to see me differently?
*****
Upon entering, the secretary greets my assistant and me and leads us directly to the meeting room.
The room smells of polished wood, freshly brewed coffee, and restrained formality. The table is long and impeccably polished, with neatly aligned folders and bottles of mineral water. The clock on the wall reads nine o'clock sharp.
I'm going over the latest data on my tablet when I hear the door open. I resisted looking right away. I take a deep breath, hiding the tension her mere presence stirs in me. But the energy shifts, and you can feel it.
"Good
