Slipperless Series (Book #1)(16)

“Yeah,” Amanda began. “You mean to tell me you don’t think Gabe is just… mmm.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing from them. These were grown women, married no less! This was a professional lab in a company performing some of the most groundbreaking work anywhere in biotechnology. But right now, it felt as if I was in the midst of a group of silly high school girls crushing on the captain of the football team.

And Gabe… After he’d changed my opinion of him with his eloquent, articulate manner in the conference room the other day, I felt confused. By the looks of things, he did next to nothing to discourage this type of chatter, if it was false. If it was true, well, then that was a whole other thing.

But in any case, I had far too much at risk to get involved in any of this. Whatever it took, I’d have to distance myself from his advances, if they came. But I worried. What if he wasn’t just teasing me for his own amusement? What would I do if he really did try something? What would it mean to reject him?

Especially after what they’d said about ‘not making waves’.

I wasn’t sure how I felt. Technically, he hadn’t done anything wrong. And yes, he was charming. And funny. And flattering. But he was also annoying.

Even so, behavior like this would merit sexual harassment complaints in most circumstances. Was he so irresistible these women would put aside their common sense and good judgment for a silly fling with the boss, a chance at it or just a smattering of his attention?

By the way Amanda and Melissa talked, the answer was an unequivocal ‘yes’. They made no mention of harassment or abuse of any kind. In fact, it was the complete opposite. They almost seemed disappointed he hadn't tried anything with them!

I sighed. Without responding, I gathered up my things.

“I have to get back to work.”

With reluctance and a bit of grumbling, they obliged.

Later that same afternoon, I was back at the lab. I happened to be going over some perplexing results when, during a moment of deep thought, I glanced up towards the entrance. As I did, I noticed Gabe enter the room. I looked at him for a fraction of a second before looking back down at my paperwork. It was the first time I’d seen him since he winked at me in the conference room.

I listened as he began to walk around and chat with my coworkers. In addition to rumors about his dalliances, I’d heard other things about him. One of those being that he made a regular habit of doing walkabouts to motivate and encourage his employees.

Which of the two was this visit?

I swallowed hard, hoping he’d ignore me. Afterward, I reached for my pen, determined to not let myself get distracted by his presence. But my resolve didn’t last long. Right away, I fretted my way through a number of scenarios in my mind. All of them ended with me being humiliated as the lone object of his attention.

Usually, solutions to problems came quickly to me, and without fail they were accurate. When it came to him though, my thoughts randomized and failed to follow logic. Just as often, I found myself less sure of my response than when I started.

It was unusual, to be sure. I grimaced at my inability to control it.

The sound of him chatting with my coworkers broke the relative silence of the lab. Hearing the tone of his voice focused my plan of action and sharpened my focus. If he happened to come over to me, I’d have to be ready.

No matter what, I’d keep it professional… no more teasing and flirting. I’d have to put an end to it before it went any further. Not that it would, mind you. He might still press on with his behavior, but I didn’t spend all this time and energy to ‘fool around with the boss’.

This was it.

But then, all of a sudden, Gabe was upon me. I hadn’t even heard him approach. For no sooner had I steeled my resolve than he stood mere feet away.

Damn lab booties.

Gabe made his way around my workstation, and I glanced up to see if anyone happened to be looking. Not only was everyone watching but Melissa and Amanda were grinning like idiots.

“Lab coat fits to your liking I see.” Gabe said as he gestured towards my partially covered hands. “And here I thought you'd turned a corner.”

I tried not to smile at his comment. Instead, I twisted my expression into a face of displeasure.

“So this is how it begins…” I muttered.

Gabe paused for a moment and did a double take. “What’s that?”

“Hmm?” I said as I looked up at him. “Oh nothing.”

While a part of me felt a sudden urge to challenge him, my more pragmatic side thought better of it. And anyway, even though our banter had been playful, I had no idea how he’d respond if I accused him of wanting to involve me in an office tryst. In fact, when I realized how close I’d come to being caught at my attempt at an insult, adrenaline coursed through my veins with a fantastic shock.