Hidden Depths

I pushed a lock of deep brown hair out of my face, glancing around the waiting room. The walls were a mint green, all the furniture was a mixture of cream and walnut colored hardwood. There were plants in the corner, on side tables, and on the desk, overkill in my mind.

The small table in the middle of the seating was a beautiful glass top. The kind that I could never have for fear of it getting broken. To my left, a lady with a mass of frilly, red hair sat at a huge walnut desk. To my right, four elevators were constantly dinging. The sound threatened to drive me crazy.

I sighed, looking back down at the job application. I had finally gotten my bachelors in business, and desperately needed this job to get a foot into the business world. It had been hard paying my way through school, and making minimum wages with extra expenses, it had taken way longer than I planned.

I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly sure I was being watched. I decided if they were, it was simply because my whole outfit probably cost less than one of their socks. I sighed, shifting again and wishing I could afford something nicer than thrift store bargains.

“Chelsey?” A strong, deep man’s voice questioned beside me a moment later.

My heart stuttered, not from nerves this time but because I knew that voice. It was a blast from the past. Someone I had hoped to never see again.

At first I just stared at the black leather shoes that probably cost more than rent on my apartment. Slowly, I allowed my gaze to trail over the smooth black slacks to the white silk button down matched with a classic black tie and jacket.

Lastly I saw his face. His pitch black hair was smoothed back. His pale skin was interrupted, only by the black stubble along his jawline. His deep blue eyes were alight with shock and barely disguised nervousness.

“Seth?” I exhaled in disbelief, as a huge grin spread across his face showing his dimples.

“What are you doing here?” He beamed and I wondered if he had somehow forgotten the last time we had seen each other.

When our thirteen year friendship ended with a one night stand and him vanishing never to be seen again, or so I had thought. The old pain and anger bubbled up inside my chest and I marveled at his confidence talking to me as if nothing had happened.

He was the one who had convinced me to try to be more than just friends. The whole experience had been awkward and uncomfortable. When I woke up with him gone I figured he had been embarrassed. As time passed though and he never responded to my texts or calls I had finally shown up at his house. There I found out the truth. Seth had left to live with his father, and was cutting all ties.

Now, however, looking closely I was surprised to be able to recognize his nervousness. The way his lips smiled slightly to tense, and he tapped his right pointer finger on his leg. They were the same tells he had always had.

“I have an interview.” I said coolly.

I tried not to notice the way he twitched, flinching slightly at my tone. I had been side by side with him for over half my life though. I knew Seth better than I knew myself. Losing him had felt like losing a massive chunk of myself.

Knowing him so well was why when I first found out, I had been more angry at myself then him. I should have seen it coming. I had been stupid to think I might be different from all of his other conquests.

“That’s cool. It’s been years.” He sighed, shifting his weight. “What have you been up to?”

I shrugged, “What are you doing here?”

I couldn’t help but ask. If he worked here it would complicate me getting the job. I needed this job but working with him would be nearly impossible.

“Business.” He shrugged sitting down in the chair next to me.

“You work here?” I asked, awkwardly shifting to put distance between us.

“No, not really.” He frowned slightly and I recognized the expression without trying. He was thinking about saying something else.

“Damn Chels, you look good. We should catch up. How about lunch after your interview?” He asked instead, grinning tensely.

I stared at him, my anger slowly shifting to fear. I comforted myself with the realization that my fear was futile. There was no way he could have found out about Maddison. No way he could know that our one night stand had permanently altered my life and that his four year old daughter was at daycare waiting for my babysitter to pick her up.

“No, thank you.” I said too quickly.

His face fell minutely and he nodded slowly.

“Listen, I just want to talk to you. I don’t blame you at all for hating me, but I miss our friendship. I just want that back.” He said slowly, staring down at his hands.

“Chelsey Davis?” A pretty brunette came up to me. “They are ready for you.”

“Thank you.” I forced a smile and stood.

As I followed the woman out of the room and away from Seth, I swallowed back a sob. I missed him too, if I was honest. Not only did I know him inside and out, but he knew everything about me too; at least he had. He had been the closest thing to a sibling I had.

Then there was the fact that at this point in my life, when I had nobody I could rely on, I had been thinking of our friendship all the time. He had always been on my side, and I so desperately missed having somebody on my side. I felt so alone all the time.

I took a shaky breath and pushed forward. I had a job to get, a child to support, and a relationship to fix. I did not need more drama in my life right now.