Lily cleared her throat attempting to regain some of the professionalism she sensed was fading. "Anyway… thank you " she said, maybe a little more sincerely than she intended. "It's… genuinely thoughtful."
Lucas beamed. It wasn't the type of grin featured in a fragrance commercial. Rather resembled a golden retriever excited by mastering a new trick. Simply. Completely harmless.
"Certainly!" he answered. "You assisted me so I simply wished to reciprocate the kindness."
He expressed it with the certainty of a person oblivious to the fact that the present resting on her desk was akin, to giving his crush a grenade disguised with a ribbon.
Lily placed her fingers gently on her lips suppressing a smile. "Okay. Thanks I really appreciate it." She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear—an embarrassed gesture—then looked down at the gift once more, her cheeks beginning to flush.
Oh no.
She was visualizing scenarios.
Imagining things quite vividly.
Now the problem arises.
When Lily Carter feels anxious her survival instincts resemble those of a raccoon in a supermarket. Therefore none.
"So " she began, prolonging the word. "At what point did you choose to get me… this?"
Lucas brightened. "Oh! Just, after work yesterday. I wanted to give something that expressed my gratitude without feeling you know… uncomfortable."
Buddy.
Pal.
Friend.
You purchased for her something contrary, to that.
Lilys mouth twitched. ". You… never considered that this could be interpreted in a particular manner?"
"No?" Lucas replied his tone truly puzzled. "Ought it to?"
She took another breath.
The narrator (which is me, by the way) required a moment to scream quietly.
Before Lily had a chance to answer—and she was about to utter words she might later regret—the mood, in the room changed.
Metaphorically speaking, of course.
But also a little literally.
In walked Victoria Hale.
Because of course she did.
She glided as if she never actually walked. Simply materialized right where she intended to be. With a pen in one hand and coffee, in the other her expression conveyed, "I'm not upset but I'm completely amused and thats more troubling."
" morning " Victoria greeted, looking at each of them.
Lily stood upright hands clasped behind her back, like a child found with a slingshot. "Morning! There's nothing going on. Totally nothing."
Victorias eyelids fluttered gradually. "Uh-huh."
Lucas gave a wave. "Good morning, boss!"
Victoria looked at him at the unmistakably obvious present, on Lilys desk.
Then back at Lily's face.
Then again at the gift.
"Miss Carter " she remarked evenly "care to clarify why you look redder, than a person caught stealing office supplies?"
Lily emitted a choked noise. "It's not—he—Lucas handed me something."
Victoria cocked her head. "Obviously."
Lucas nodded with pride. "It's a gift of gratitude!"
Victoria grabbed it.
Oh no.
Oh no, no, no.
Her eyebrows lifted, a hint of amusement appearing on her face. "You purchased this."
"For her!" Lucas exclaimed brightly which only made the whole situation even worse.
Victoria placed it carefully as if it could nip her. "Mr. Reed… are you aware of what thiss typically utilized for?"
Lucas agreed with a nod. "Yeah! The box mentions it's suitable for use and the woman, at the counter said many women enjoy them!"
Victoria almost coughed while drinking her coffee.
Lily covered her mouth with her hand.
The storyteller was laughing uncontrollably on the floor.
"Lucas " Victoria spoke cautiously "I don't think you fully grasp what you've—"
Lily sprang ahead. "Boss wait. Please. He isn't aware."
Victoria hesitated. "…He doesn't?"
"Not at all."
Victoria looked at Lucas, who was glowing with ignorance.
"…Oh " Victoria murmured. "Oh that's really quite cute."
"Isn't that so??" Lily murmured in reply.
Lucas hesitated. "Was it a mistake to buy it?"
Lily seized his wrist just as he started to overanalyze. "No. It's okay. Truly." Her voice softened. "It's kind. Surprising. Yet kind."
Victoria. Walked off shaking her head while mumbling "I'm going to require hazard pay."
Lily glanced back at Lucas her grin slightly gentler, than earlier.
"Thanks " she repeated. "Truly."
His cheeks reddened. "No problem."
During that fragile instant neither one of them was panicking.
Obviously that implied disorder was set to return.
"Miss Carter!" a voice called out from the side of the office. "The boss is asking for you!"
Lily. Rose. "I'll return shortly " she said to Lucas.
Then she moved closer— too near far too hot—and murmured softly beside his ear:
". Next time… please warn me before you hand me something, like that."
Lucas nodded, remaining unaware of what she was implying.
As she moved away he noticed his ears growing warm.
"I can't understand " he whispered quietly. "It's merely an elaborate—"
No way. I'm not heading that direction. The narrator refuses to allow it. HR is already casting me a glance, from the corridor.
Lucas sank back with a sigh.
He truly had no idea what sort of blaze he'd just sparked.
However Lily did.
Oh she certainly did.
And she was smiling.