Diana picked up the folders, then looked up at him as he was now standing close to her. With the little bit of nerve in her she replied

"Not yet" and turn to make an escape to her office like a fugitve seeking sanctuary before Alex did more than move close to her her. 

How his mere closeness affected her.

She slumped in her chair behind her desk, then swivelled it around in deep thoughts.

  "Diana !" She leapt to her feet in response to the familiar tone of Racheal Maitland.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you" 

"shouldn't you be at lunch, my dear friend, instead of brooding yet again in here on your own?" Rachael green lovely eyes bored into hers 

"Bit tired, upset, are you?"

" yes" she admitted, to try to dissemble.

" is it about Alex?" Her friend asked in a rather too soft tone.

Basically she had told her friend about everything, literally everything.

"He is kinda hot though, don't you think?" A smile softened Rachael's lips as she said it.

" if I was the one I would jump at his offer." She can't blame her can she? Who won't be crazy about freaking Alex Tanner, well unless you are me Diana concluded.

  "I think you should consider the poor guy, it won't hurt would it" Rachael suggested. Which Diana only shrugged to.

"You do want to go to lunch, right? Her friend said starving already. She nodded, it was nearly two and she hadn't eaten since breakfast which consisted of a banana and a cup of coffee well if that could pass for a breakfast.

She motioned for her friend to lead the way as she followed.

 ***

"Can I give you a ride?" Alex asked later that evening.

She had worked non-stop after lunch with her friend that she had lost track of time. She wanted to refuse the offer but she tired that all she just wanted was to home to her bed, and if he was offering to help that cause what the hell then.

  "Yes" Diana said boldly.

He leapt out to open the passengers door for her

"Get in"

Diana obeyed, but eyed him  sternly as he started the car.

"Don't drive too fast please, I get car sick"

His mouth tightened

" I keep to speed limits religiously, I swear. Where do you leave?"

She supplied the address, then refuge in the silence and as well glad that he wasn't bringing up the day encounter they had.
  
"You probably won't want my advice" he observed after a time, but I wouldn't recommend walking home alone at late hours like this very often. If ever"

"I don't" she then went on to explain how she had lost track of time.

  Few minutes later Alex pulled at her house

" I must go" she said quickly, fiddling with the seat belt " thank you so much for bringing me  home.

"Diana" Alex called her softly. "You still haven't given me a reply" he said as his eyes bored into hers.

"Oh......" Diana stated but no words came out she had not expected he would bring it up again at least that what she had thought.

There was an awkward silence as they both glanced at each other. Diana hesitated uneasy

"thanks again for the lift" she decided to say as she didn't know what else to say and she was strangely and suddenly nervous. Her closed around the door handle. She was now eager to make escape.

"Anytime" Alex said flippantly, clearly now frustrated. His hands gripped the steering wheel " see you soon" he said stated as she leapt out the car.

Not giving him a chance to protest. She was aware of him sitting in the car, waiting for her to unlock her door and stepped inside she hurried the lights so he'd know she'd made it safely home. Funny she thought as she was bothered about what he thought.

  Then she slowly removed her coat and carefully hung it in the closet. When she peeped out the window,  she noticed that he had already left, at that observation her heart sunk, to what reason  she couldn't yet place her hands on.