Acts of Desperation(16)

When I opened it, I saw a handwritten note. “To pushing your buttons,” it said, and I laughed.

“What’cha laughin’ about?”

I looked up and saw Liz leaning against my door. She had on a pale blue pant suit and looked very stylish with a bright pink scarf tied around her neck, adding her pop of color. “Hey, I didn’t hear you come in,” I said, smiling.

“So, you just got a bug up your butt and decided to sew a button back on your blouse as soon as you walked in the door? Weird. What’s up?” she asked.

“I got a little gift today,” I said smirking and motioned to the box.

Liz sat down on my bed. She grabbed the box and read the note. “Oooh…he’s pushing your buttons? This is getting good,” she said, lying down behind me on the bed. She put her arms behind her head and crossed her feet, settling into to full gossip mode. “So he almost asked you something Monday night at work, you showed him your super sexy nude bra, and then he did this. Sounds like the man is diggin’ you. You thinking of getting involved with him?” she asked. “I know how you like to maintain a safe distance from your professional and personal life.”

It was something I was concerned about. I never even dated people from my high school because I didn’t want to deal with the situation when things went south—which chances are in high school, they inevitably would have. To have to look at an ex’s face every day when I’d be trying to focus on school didn’t seem like a desirable scenario so I never put myself in the situation. “You think it’s a dumb move to get involved with someone you work with? He is my boss’s grandson, and I’ll probably be working really closely with him.”

“If you’re lucky you’ll be working closely with him, if you catch my drift.” She laughed, and I only shook my head at her silliness. Then, she thought for a second. “It’s risky, but I say go with your gut. A man that fine, you can’t pass him up.” When I didn’t say anything, she looked at me. “That’s what your gut’s telling you, isn’t it?”

“Yep, pretty much,” I said. As much as it went against my previous inclinations, my mind was telling me one thing, but my body was telling me another.

“Then go with that. You’re not going to get anywhere without taking some chances in life. You’re obviously attracted to each other, and you’re both adults. Besides, people get involved at the workplace all the time.”

“Yeah, I guess.” I chuckled. “There, all done,” I said, finishing my last stitch and biting the thread with my teeth.

“Looks great.” She heaved herself off the bed with a grunt. “Well, I’d love to talk about this budding love story all night, but unfortunately I’m just popping in to grab something before I head back out. Duty calls.”

“This late?” I asked.

“Yes.” She moaned. “I have to check out this venue I want to use for a banquet. The owners weren’t around earlier and this was when they could show me the space. It shouldn’t take too long though.”

“That’s cool. I’m just going to grab a quick bite and review tax codes.”

She scooted off my bed. “Boy, now that sounds like fun.”

I laughed. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

“I can imagine. Toodaloo,” she said, waving over her shoulder.

“Toodles.”

After she left, I went down into the kitchen and fixed myself dinner. Back up in my room, I sat down at my desk just inside my door. I set my glass of wine and sandwich next to my laptop and saddled up to start reading. About five minutes in, my phone rang, and when I saw John’s name on the display, I sent him to voicemail. After a few more calls and some text messages that said some version of we’re not over and telling me to meet him, I had to shut my phone off.

****

During my commute the next day, I decided a quick call to Sarah was warranted since it had been a few days since we’d spoke. It was early enough, and I could likely catch her before her students got to school.

“Hey, how’s everything?” I asked after only a couple rings.

“Awful.” She groaned.

“What now?”

“The kids had a rough night. They went out to dinner with Anders, and I’m not sure what he was saying to them, but they came home complete messes. I took them to my bed and they ended up crying themselves to sleep. Then Sam had an accident at four this morning. Nothing like washing five layers of pee-soaked bedding in the middle of the night.” She sighed.

“That doesn’t sound like fun,” I said. “I take it you didn’t get much sleep?”

“No, not much.”

“Did they say anything this morning about why they were so upset?”

“No, I didn’t ask. I didn’t want them to get worked up before school. Besides, they were joking around with each other and giggling. I’ll tackle it later when I get home I guess.” There was a brief pause, and she sneezed.

“Finally caught that cold, huh?” I said.

“Yeah, an added bonus from sharing my pillows every night…not that I really care. I’m downing some coffee and getting my lesson plans in order for next week right now. How’s everything going with you?”