DANIEL “Daniel, Elizabeth Lyons is on line one for you.” Serena’s voice came through the speaker on my phone. “Thank you. I’ll take it. And, Serena? Go home,” I responded before pressing down the button for line one. “Babe!” My voice came out overly excited and I wanted to smack myself. This woman turned me into a child. “I wasn’t sure you’d still be at the office.” She sounded off, and my stomach fell to the floor with the innate knowledge. “You okay? What’s the matter?” I waited as she inhaled a single breath. My knees started to bounce under my desk as I feared what was about to spill from her lips—the lips that I had kissed, tasted, and loved just this morning. “I’ve just had a really long and weird day.” Her tone was riddled with avoidance and distance—two things I wanted least of all from her. “What else?
