Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

The woman next to me snickers. “Those chips a little spicy for you?”

We all look down at the bag of jalapeño chips in front of Brandon.

He shakes his head, clearing his throat. “I’m fine. Just thought they were a different flavor. Took me off guard, is all.”

I watch Brandon’s eyes move over to my food wrappers, where I have the same bag of chips. Only mine is empty.

He takes a drink of his Coke, then eats another chip.

Hannah and the ladies next to me share a look, and I know we’re all thinking the same thing.

This fool would rather choke down food that’s too spicy for him than risk looking weak. A real case of death by machismo.

Moron.

FIFTY-NINE

HANNAH

Maddox still has his foot hooked behind mine.

I know I should move, because even though it’s unlikely for anyone to see it, it’s not impossible. One dropped napkin, and we’d be outed.

But I’m not quite ready to lose contact yet.

I knew I wanted to see him, but I hadn’t realized how badly until I walked through that door. So I want to savor this short time together.

I shift my other foot closer until Maddox’s ankle is pressed between mine.

Sitting here across the table from him, I can’t help but think of that first lunch out together.

I’m not still upset about it. I’m just upset that I spent the time being mad and hurt when I could have just been soaking in his presence.

“Hannah.” His deep rumble pulls my attention up.

I hadn’t realized I’d been staring at his chest.

I blink, and the project managers snicker next to Maddox.

My cheeks start to heat. “Sorry, totally zoned out there for a second.”

“It’s alright. Lunch does that to me too sometimes.” He smirks at me. “Just wondering if you’re done. I can take your trash.”

I look at the table and see Maddox has balled up his wrappers.

“Oh, that’s alright. I should get back to work.” I scoot my chair back and gather up my own garbage.

Brandon is still swapping bites of chips with sips of his drink, so thankfully he doesn’t try to get up at the same time.

I know we need to keep this thing between us a secret— so long as we work together— but I’d love to make my feelings for Maddox known, if only to get Brandon to finally back off and leave me in peace.

“See ya,” I tell the people around me, then stand from my chair.

Maddox uses his long strides to beat me to the waste cans, and I sort out the trash, compost, and recycling.

I follow him at a normal distance, and Maddox opens the door to the break room and holds it for me to pass through ahead of him.

“So, Hannah.” Maddox moves so we’re walking side by side. “Did you have a nice morning?”