Between walls and hearts

a sat in the backseat, her gaze fixed on the city lights blurring outside the window. Her thoughts, however, were far from the shi

d hear was the rush of blood pounding in her ears. Her mind kept replaying the kiss, the softness of his lips against hers, the

ed through the streets. But she could feel his presence, like a heavy weight in the air. He was brooding, his usual aloof

king? What was going

the satisfaction. Instead, she folded her arms tightly across her chest, leaning back again

building, and Brian turned to look at her. There was a flicker of something in hi

ruff, not giving her a chance to

second, she thought about asking him to stay, to talk things through, but the words wouldn't

e stood there, facing the door of her building. She glanced back at the car, bu

t followed felt

se of dread that came with early mornings, the need for caffeine to shake off the grogginess. No, t

to make sense of everything. The party, the kiss, Brian. The kiss. Her

was it just a fleeting momen

was too early for anyone to be visiting her, and yet, sh

door to find her neighbor, Samantha, standing there with a smile on her face. Samantha was an older woman

k in on you," Samantha said, her voice

't know how to answer. She could barely remember the party

d, trying to keep her voice neutr

thing was off. "Drama, huh? You've got that look in yo

t Samantha's calm demeanor made her feel like she could talk. Maybe it was the familia

fering one to Jessica. "You don't have to tell me if you're not ready, but I've seen

ho?" she asked, though she knew exa

replied, her tone knowing. "

s," she admitted, sitting across from Samantha. "I mean, he kissed me last night, and

to see when people have feelings for each other, even when they don't r

rrogant, and dismissive. I don't know if it's just s

omplicated when feelings get involved at work. But sometime

t I want anymore. I just know that it's getting harder to ignore him. Eve

e. Just take it one step at a time. But remember, Jessica, no matter how hard it is, you've got to kee

to the events of the previous night-the kiss, Jessica's anger, and his own reaction to it all. It wasn't like him to let anyone

kissed her. She had been furious, and part of him had expected her to push him away. But instead, she had f

ore. Was he just trying to control her

ady and she's not yet at work? is

a. She knew she had to keep her professional composure, there was no way around it. But as she entered th

telephone, his voice somewh

n't sure if she was ready to face him

he asked her not loo

I woke up late", she lied. she had forgotten th

anything to drink", h

defensively, "you

d about the kiss, just know it was a mistake. I sincerely apologize, I just wanted An

ut she surely knows that Brian is a mad pers