Now or Never

A few subway stops, some double takes, and plenty of wolf whistling at the pair later, Hope and Joe stepped out of the subway into the cool morning air. They had to walk a few blocks to the office, and their footsteps on the sidewalk began to feel like a drum beat that was slowly increasing in tempo.

Hope wet her lips nervously as they stopped in front of the office building. The clean glass and shiny steel skyscraper was intimidating to look at and the executive suits that flowed in and out of the front doors like never ending waves did not make the image any more calming.

Hope felt her heart thundering in her chest, drowning out the sounds of the people walking by as they conversed loudly either to colleagues or on phones. The atmosphere was overwhelming, and a wave of sickness rolled through Hope’s stomach.

Then she felt Joe’s hand creep into hers, and all the feelings disappeared. Somehow, even though he whispered, Hope heard every word he said with crisp clarity.