Carrie's POV

I'm sitting in my cubicle at work, filled with anxiety. I keep checking the time, and realize that lunch time is creeping up on me, and so is my planned break up with Jonah.

I texted him early in the morning to set up a lunch date instead of our usual Wednesday night hang out, and he agreed to meet, not suspecting a thing. Now, I am trying to find the gentlest possible way to say the things I need to say so that he is not hurt more than necessary. After my phone conversation with Alex last night I got a sense of clarity about the fact that Jonah is not someone I want to be with for the rest of my life. And if I know that to be true, why do I want to be with him at all?

I try to focus on brainstorming ideas for this coffee company TV ad, but all I can think about is my pending break up.

"Carrie." I hear my name and look up. Kenneth is standing in front of me, wearing his red power tie.

"Oh, hello," I say awkwardly. I haven't really seen or spoken to my boss since our run in at the copy room.

"Samuel has been singing your praises," he tells me, smiling. "He said he included you in a client pitch meeting and you did really well."

"Oh, well, I'm glad to have had the opportunity to contribute," I say.

"What are you working on now?" he asks, and comes closer, to look over at my notes.

"It's this coffee TV spot. I'm still just brainstorming," I tell him, wishing I had something more solid to show him.

"Huh, well what have you got so far?"

Great. My boss is basically asking me what I've been doing with my time and I've got nothing to tell him. I suppose I could just say that I've been too busy contemplating my personal life to do anything work related. Right.

"Well, I was thinking that we could open on a shot of a couple in a cafe, sitting at a small table, and then...er..."

"Yes?" Kenneth is stroking his perfectly groomed goatee, and looking at me expectantly.

"And then...she breaks up with him, and just leaves him alone at the table....and he's devastated... like, really upset, maybe crying even...that is until..." I'm just coming up with this stuff on the fly, so I can only pray that it's coming out somewhat coherently.

"What?" he prods, looking intrigued.

"Until the waitress brings him his cup of..." I check my notes to be sure I have the brand name right. "Korlana Coffee. He takes a sip. A small smile appears on his face. And suddenly, things don't seem so bad... like he senses that everything will be all right."

Kenneth looks somewhat amused. "I like it," he tells me. "It's sentimental, but could be played up to be humorous. Depends on the dialogue, I suppose."

"Yes, the words are the key to how it all comes across," I say, thinking that it couldn't be more true.

"Keep at it, Carrie. And when you have it all ready, why don't you come by my office to show me the final product."

"Okay, sure," I tell him, wondering if there is more to this sudden invitation than simple curiosity. Could I actually be offered a permanent position?

After Kenneth leaves, I finish the first storyboard sketch for the coffee ad. The breakup dialogue I wrote came out pretty light and funny...kind of like the opposite of what I will be doing in just...oh, shit! It's already after twelve, and I am supposed to meet Jonah at 12:30.

I quickly put away the notes and files, sling my purse over my shoulder and run for the elevator.

I press the elevator button repeatedly even though I know it doesn't have an effect on how quickly it arrives. Finally I hear the long awaited 'ding', the elevator doors open, and....holy crap. Tyler is standing right in front of me.

"He-ey," I croak, "what are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd come by and take you out to lunch," he answers, as he exits the elevator and stands in front of me. He's wearing a black t-shirt, which clings snugly to his well defined torso, and he's got his hands in the back pockets of his jeans. He looks bloody gorgeous.

"I, uh..." I'm totally lost for words. "It's just that I didn't expect to have you visit me at work."

"Look, Carrie, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable. I just really hate the way we left things last night. We need to talk. There are things I'd like to explain to you, and I just had to see you."

I stare at his beautiful face, and his sincere eyes, and I can feel all logic and practical thinking start to abandon me. All I want to do is throw my arms around him, and have him... No, damn, it, Carrie! Get a hold of yourself!

"I, um, I'm sorry, Tyler, but I've already made lunch plans," I tell him, and press the elevator button again. The doors open immediately this time, and I walk in. Tyler follows me inside the elevator.

He stands close to me, and I try to avoid his intense gaze. I know the elevator ride is not even a minute long, but being alone in such small quarters with Tyler already has me perspiring.

"We really do need to talk, Carrie. I know I should've probably called or texted before showing up at your work, but I didn't want to give you the option of ignoring me." Tyler takes my hand in his, and gently rubs my knuckles with his thumb.

"If you look me in the eye right now, and tell me you don't ever want to see me again, I swear, I'll leave you be."

I look up, pull back my hand from his, and say, "I do want to see you again...but it has to be on my terms."

Tyler's face lights up with a smile. "Okay, fair enough. You tell me when and where, and I'll be there."

"Okay," I say, smiling back at him.

The elevator doors open, and we exit into the lobby.

"Who are you having lunch with, anyway?" Tyler asks.

"Jonah," I tell him, and watch as his smile fades, and his jaw clenches.

I purposefully omit the part about me planning to break up with him, because the awful truth is that for some inexplicable reason, I find Tyler's jealousy sort of adorable. I know it's not healthy, or down right sick on my part, but I can't help but feel pleased that the idea of another man being with me is so bothersome to Tyler.

"So, then, when can I see you? Are you free for dinner?" he asks, as we walk outside into the street.

I know I don't have any dinner plans, and the prospect of having to boil pasta yet again is not exactly thrilling, but I just don't know what kind of a mood I will be in after my break up talk with Jonah.

"I'm free for dinner tomorrow night," I tell him. "But I'm not going to your house," I warn.

A boying grin spreads on Tyler's face. "Why is that?" he asks innocently.

"Oh, you know why," I tell him, squinting at him.

"I didn't know I was that irresistible," he says, his smile growing wider.

I roll my eyes at him, and he chuckles.

"Text me your address, and I'll pick you up and take you to dinner around seven," he says.

"Okay," I say. "I'll choose the restaurant."

"I hear Slate is supposed to be pretty great," he says, lifting his eyebrows playfully.

"Slate is still your domain. I want a completely neutral place. That way nobody has an advantage," I explain.

"Alright, Switzerland it is."

"Good bye, Tyler," I say.

"See you tomorrow, Carrie."

As Tyler leaves, I have to pry my lingering gaze away from his perfectly formed physique as he walks away from me.