My work clothes now in place, Jake’s shirt lay folded on the bed. I would wash it and discretely return it to him.
As I gathered my things together, I picked up my cellphone to toss in my purse. It was only then that I realized I had three missed calls from my mother.
I bit my lip, finger playing over the ‘delete’ button.
It wasn’t fair what I did to her. It wasn’t fair that I left town so urgently, without giving her any warning at all. It wasn’t fair that I dodged her calls.
Hearing her voice though, hearing the sadness and the strain of her words, it was just too much to bear.
She’d been so looking forward to being a grandmother for the first time, and I had ruined all of it. How had a simple trip to the grocery store turned my life upside down?
Desperately shaking my head again, I crammed the phone into my purse and resolutely walked out of the apartment.
It was only once the cold weather stroked at my shoulders that I realized I’d forgotten my sweater. At this point though, there wasn’t any time to turn back – and the chill would be a much needed distraction on the walk to the office building.
The
Tessa, of course, was waiting for me. The buxomly secretary was unusually early this morning, typically not making her grand entrance until at least half past the usual hour her shift would start.
“Good morning.” She said curtly, blue eyes blazing and dangerously narrowed on my face, “Did you have a pleasant evening?”
“Yes.” I replied simply, reaching out to take the pile of papers she had to offer.
That was her preferred method of war, after all, trying to drown me in dull paper work. I wouldn’t cave to her games.
“How was the business meeting?” She pressed, arms slowly crossing over her chest.
Her shirt was extra sheer this morning, ample breast practically spilling out onto her desk. She was desperate for Jake’s attention, she was desperate to regain control.
“We didn’t go.” I said, picking through the files as I began to press pass her.
“You didn’t go?” She repeated after me, shoulders relaxing just slightly in a way that made guilt finally nip at my heart.
“Nope.” I said quietly, escaping into the office.
I should have clarified Jake’s relationship with the secretary before we’d gotten in bed together. Now, I was the reason she may be heartbroken in the near future.
It wasn’t fair to her, and I wanted to apologize.
“Jake!” I heard her say, my shoulders stiffening as I remained steadfast in my facing the file cabinet.
My heart began to thrum wildly in my chest, threatening to burst out of my ribs, but I bit back my tongue.
I couldn’t look at him, if I did, Tessa would see it in my eyes, Tessa would know about our night of passion.
“Good morning, Tess.” I heard Jake’s smooth, velvety drawl.
“I…brought you a special lunch this afternoon.” She whispered seductively, soft giggle on her breath.
“I’m not hungry today.” He responded cordially.
I heard Tessa’s tongue click in surprise, Jake’s feet lingering for a just a second too long before clicking down the hall.
When I was finally feeling brave enough to glance over my shoulder, Tessa’s eyes slowly shifted form after that of her now former lover, to where I sat, alone and unprotected in the tiny walls of the closet office.
“If you didn’t go to the business meeting…what did you do last night, Caroline?” She accused, hands clamping hard down onto her hips.
“Woah, whoa, what’s with that tone?” Eric asked as he walked through the lobby. He slid his coat off his large shoulders, one dark eyebrow arching as his gaze shifted between us.
For one brief moment, I breathed a sigh of relief.
“She and Jake spent the night together.” Tessa volleyed towards Eric, eyes burning like a blue sun of anger, “Didn’t you?” She spat, as Eric dropped his coat right onto the ground in shock.
Chapter Nine
“I, well…you see what happened was-” I began, voice faltering with so much obvious guilt that a blind man would have been able to see it on my face.
“Oh my god, Caroline!” Eric yelped, looking like a kicked puppy. I’d turned him down, after all, only to turn around and leap right in bed with our boss.
Tessa clamped her hands hard at her sides, eye screaming obscenities that she was too filled with rage to begin to throw.
“I’m sorry, Tessa,” I began awkwardly, “It just happened.”
“Oh I’m sure.” She spat, “She just happened to choose my man. Is that the kind of woman you are?” She continued, though Eric put a hand on her shoulder, “Do you love to just go around and snatch away other people’s lovers?”