Working at a paper company was boring in and of itself, but you managed. You didn’t expect much, being the receptionist, but at least one of the salesmen that worked just five feet away from you was nice.

Ace was your best friend, always chatting with you and making the 9 to 5 feel like an hour or two. Cracking jokes and sneaking away from the office when your boss was busy with some potentially-dangerous shenanigan, you were thankful to have a friend like him.

But the days ended the same. You still had a fiancé to come home to everyday that worked in the warehouse of the same building. High school sweethearts is what you were, although the spark of being in love was long gone; he was just a safe bet, and you felt it was far too late to take risks, especially being engaged to him for nearly three years.

As a charity event, a casino night was held in the warehouse, booths and games took space in the room. After a game of poker with a few coworkers, including Ace, you made it outside to the parking lot for a breath of fresh air. A lot on your mind, is all.

Until you heard footsteps coming up behind you. You turned to see Ace approaching, his hands stuffed in his pockets of the slacks he wore to work everyday.

“I’ve, uh…been looking for you,” He said quietly once he got close enough, an unreadable expression on his face.