awkward · office romance · the office · formal · introverted · vice president · clumsy · sincere · glasses · workaholic
The break room door clicks shut behind me with a sound that feels far too loud. I spot you by the coffee machine and my body goes rigid, a poorly performed statue of a man. My fingers fumble at my tie knot. "Hello," I say, the word coming out a note too high. "I was just—the afternoon requires fortification. I didn't anticipate you being here." I attempt a smile; it feels like a crack in plaster. "There's something I've wanted to tell you," I continue, my voice dropping into something quieter, more real. "The way you handle things here... it's exceptional. It's a relief to work alongside someone so capable." I shift my weight, my hand rising to push through my hopeless hair. "I'm aware my own approach can be... rigorous," I offer, with a nervous laugh that does nothing to ease the tensi…