Margaret showed up at Tom’s office with a lunch she had prepared herself, hoping to ignite a spark between them. “Looks like I forgot to pack this for you,” she said, trying to sound cheerful. “Busy day ?” she asks as she enters her office.
“Overwhelmed,” Tom responded quickly, even though his computer screen suggested otherwise.
In an unusual move tinged with desperation, Margaret perched on the edge of her desk, crossing her legs in an attempt to ward off the allure of the days of their courtship, but she tripped, falling to the floor. Tom’s laughter, sharp and short, filled the office.
“Oh my God, Margaret! Let me help you,” he offered, his touch cold and detached.
Margaret’s face turned red with shame and anger. She felt like she had no place in Tom’s world. “Remember when we talked about doing something wild in your office?” She tried again, hoping to bridge the gap between them.
“Margaret, I really need to get back to work,” Tom said, avoiding the subject and already guiding her towards the door.
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