┏━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┓

┗━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┛

"Let's walk," I suggested as we left our hotel and reached the sidewalk.

He started walking and that was his wordless agreement, so I fell into step beside him again as we began roaming around, heading to the restaurant street nearest to us. As we walked in silence, I stole a few glances at him. He looked great, of course, I didn't tell him that.

I made the mistake of almost calling him handsome once and I know for a fact that he's never going to let that go, I didn't want to make another one.

Walking down the street, I noticed there were so many people here, but mostly couples and families. There weren't too many people here traveling by themselves, surprisingly enough. "Are you excited for your kayak swamp tour tomorrow?" I asked him.

He glanced at me but didn't answer, simply rolled his eyes.

"Are we really going to kayak through a swamp, Josh?"

"Yes, Poppy. A freshwater swamp. They look rather nice, especially during the sunset. I thought you look everything up before the trips," he smirked.

"I do, but I don't look up swamps. Anyway, aren't we booked for that from four to six in the evening? What are we doing until then?"

"Well, first we'll have breakfast at a nice restaurant near the hotel and then we can go shopping, buy some things that are significant to New Orleans. And since the tour company will send someone to pick us up, we don't have to leave any time earlier either. We can just stay in our hotel rooms," he explained.

"All right, that sounds like a plan," I said, both of us slowing down to a stop at a small restaurant that had a live jazz band, well it was actually a trio, singing at the front. Some soft blues with a nice dinner? Hell yes. "Let's eat here," I said, nodding towards the building.

He read the sign before nodding. "Sure."

We headed inside and grabbed a table for four. As I hung my purse on the chair while taking a look around, he texted the name of the restaurant to Jamieson before pocketing his phone and lifting a hand, calling a waiter over with a, "Excuse me."

A waiter walked over, holding onto a round black tray. "Yes, how can I help you?"

"Can we get the menu, please?"

The waiter nodded with a smile and then walked away, coming back with two menus, handing one to each of us.

Reading the menu, I decided to order a spaghetti carbonara with some wine and Josh ordered fettuccine with wine as well, so we decided to share the bottle. While waiting for the food, we were left in silence. I rested my elbow and held my chin in the palm of my hand, observing him for a moment while he looked around the place. "So, are you enjoying New Orleans so far?" I asked, my eyes taking a quick scan of his chest and arms.

"Considering I'm here with you? Yes, it's safe to say I am."

I rolled my eyes, laughing humorlessly. "God, you make it such a point to hate me, don't you? Why?"

His eyes snapped over to me. "Why what?"

"Why do you hate me so much? I don't remember doing anything to you in all the time we've known each other. You hated me the moment you saw me. Why?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"If it was, I wouldn't be asking. I don't see why you would hate me, not to mention, you're the only one in our office who does. Shouldn't you tell me by now? You've kept it a secret for two years now."

"You haven't asked me in the two years I've known you," he argued.

"Well, I'm making an effort and asking you now. Won't you be nice enough to tell me?" I tilted my head to one side, lifting my brows at him.

He blinked, holding my gaze. He paused for a beat and then rested both arms on the table, leaning forward. "I hate you because it's the right thing for me to do," he answered inconspicuously.

"Am I supposed to know what that means?"

"Oh, you don't? There's something you don't know then, interesting," he smirked.

"Very funny, but no, I don't," I replied. "Seriously, why do you hate me? It's for no reason, isn't it?"

"I have my reasons, Poppy."

"But I want to know your reasons."

"Why?" He lifted a brow sharply.

"Because I'm curious about you."

"Oh?"

"Oh," I nodded firmly. "You intrigue me."

"How so?"

"You're different at work, you're different when you're with Blake, and you're different here in New Orleans. A little less... dickish, perhaps."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it is. And you know why I think that is?"

He waited for an answer.

"Because I think when we're alone, you have no excuses to make up and hate me. At work, you find something or the other to make an issue out of. Whether I'm late to work, or I spill a coffee, or I tap my nails on the table too loud—"

"You do."

"I know," I agreed. "But it's fun."

"Tapping your nails or annoying me?"

"Both, but mostly the latter," I grinned.

He released a breath and leaned back.

"I don't try annoying you when we're alone," I admitted.

"And why not?"

I hesitated, contemplating if I should spill my secret. But then I decided to just tell him because I have to work with him for God knows how long now, so ultimately, it would be best if we could put this petty hatred past us. "Because it doesn't feel like you hate me so much when we're alone."

He swallowed once, holding my gaze.

I was so tempted to look away first but I didn't. I couldn't lose to him.

"But I do," he replied.

"Really? Are you sure about that? Because I think if you gave us a chance, we could have a lot of fun together. You just don't want to have fun with me."

"And why do you think that is?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe you're scared I'll get too close and then I'll have you all figured out. Or maybe it's something else."

"Like?"

I leaned in closer. "Maybe you're scared to like me," I whispered, jokingly.

He stared at me until we were both interrupted.

"Hey, guys," Valerie sang, taking the seat beside Josh.

I blinked away from Josh, glancing at Jamieson, offering him a small smile. "Hey." I handed him the menu, ignoring the way Josh was still staring at me.

I think I may have struck a nerve now, great.

»»————　➴　————««

My doorbell rang the next morning as I finished tying up my laces. Last night after dinner, I didn't get to talk to Josh because, at dinner, Valerie wouldn't shut up and kept trying to talk to him, and then on our walk back, he walked with Jamieson, discussing tomorrow's plans. After that, we just went to our rooms, too tired for anything. And this morning after breakfast, Jamieson and Josh went off on their own, leaving me with Valerie. She just loved to shop and took me from one store to another. I hardly saw Josh today but I don't know what I was expecting to happen when I did.

"One second!" I called out, fixing my shoes before I answered the door. Josh stood there. I blinked and took in a breath, quickly glancing at his clothes. "Hey."

He wore a faded blue-ish gray half-sleeves v-neck, showing off his arms yet again, and with that, he wore a pair of dark gray joggers, not quite black, but almost. He had on a black baseball cap as well that made him look charmingly younger. He looked kind of... cute.

Did I seriously just think that? Am I... okay?

"I just need to grab my phone and purse, one second," I told him.

"Don't take a purse," he said. "We won't have any place to leave our things unless you're comfortable leaving your things in their car. They'll drive us there and back anyway."

I paused, frowning. "But then where do I keep my phone and keys?"

He held out a hand. "I'll keep them."

I nodded, pleasantly surprised. "Sure. Thank you." I placed both things in his palm and he pocketed them, zipping up the pocket that had both our things. As we climbed into the elevator, I asked, "Is the pick-up car here yet?"

"Yeah. And it's an SUV but we have to share a ride with Jamieson and Valerie. You can sit at the back with Valerie, right?"

"Uh, not really," I mumbled.

"Why not? Aw, did you and your best friend have a little fight, Poppy?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh no, I love her," I sang. "But you left me with her all of last night and all of this morning. I've had my daily dose of Valerie for the day. You're my travel partner, not her. Don't ditch me for Jamieson," I scoffed. "I came to New Orleans with you. Stay with me," I huffed, glaring at him.

He watched me for a minute before blinking and clearing his throat, looking away from me. "Just sit with her in the backseat."

"No. I'll sit with you. Let her and Jamieson sit at the front."

"You think I'm better than Valerie?"

"Of course, are you kidding?" I knew what I was saying but it was the truth, he would know if I was lying. "You're much better company than Valerie," I told him as the elevator dinged open. "Do you think Valerie's better company than I am?" I lifted my brows daringly.

He shrugged, "A little."

I gave him a hard shove as we walked towards the hotel exit. A chuckle escaped him as he glanced at me. "Be honest," I ordered.

"No," he said slowly and then shook his head. "I have to admit, you're much better company than her," he added.

I grinned, satisfied with his answer. "Why thank you, Josh, how nice of you to admit for once that I'm not that bad."

"No, Ms. Valentine, you are indeed, not that bad."

.

.

.

.

.