Something about the way his smile turned into a full-blown grin made my heart pound deliciously as I drove away.
15
Mom:Thank you, Nora!! I just got notice from the storage unit company. I really appreciate your help. I know it was a sacrifice. Kip gets paid in two weeks, and then we’ll be sending you some money. You’re the best. Hope your new job is going okay.
I couldn’t bringmyself to reply.
* * *
The next fewweeks at the office slowly picked up speed. I began working closely with Tenisha as she gave me a few menial tasks to lighten her load. Not to say I didn’t do my fair share of coffee runs, take-out orders, and wading through client emails; but beyond the basic intern tasks, she taught me the latest design programs she used for her graphics, her favorite places to find unique fonts, website design tips, and the ins and outs of her job.
I ate it up.
The late hours in my bedroom from ten until midnight were used to practice my growing skills in the programs. I took careful notes and studied trends on the internet. I could feel my ability improving, and for the first time ever, it felt like I was finally making a significant degree of progress on something that actually had the potential to move me forward in life.
Duke seemed bent on flirting with me constantly while keeping up the pretense ofnotflirting with me, which was very confusing, in all actuality. But ignoring a large Dr. Pepper on my desk with beads of sweat dripping slowly down the side of the cup when I’d been forced to listen to Anita talk about her dad’s new cabin in Park City was a slow form of torture. Actually, Shawn mentioned his buddy’s cabin in Park City, and then Anita had to talk about her dad’s bigger and better cabin. Then, when Shawn mentioned he liked a certain restaurant downtown, Anita had to share another restaurant she knew of that blew Shawn’s recommendation out of the water. And so on and so on.
I deserved a drink. Anybody would crack under these conditions. But every time I reached toward the bubbly nectar, curious to see if I’d find another note underneath, I stopped myself. It was exactly what that conniving flirt wanted. And what I was trying to avoid. Whenever he happened to pass by my desk, I’d take a big swig of my water bottle, waving to his laughing frame as I did so.
“Isn’t it crazy that Duke is single now?” Anita’s voice was a low purr in my ear later that day. With some regret, I turned to face her as she slid my drink over so she could plop onto my desk. Luckily, Duke’s note remained hidden. I mean,ifthere even was a note under there.
“I guess,” I said, taking in Anita’s bold zebra-print top. Compare that with her striking black hair and chilling demeanor, and my Cruella De Vil assessment seemed spot on.
Feeling quite at home, Anita picked up a bottle of hand lotion I had sitting on my desk. She opened it and took a sniff, making a face before setting it back down. My fingernails dug into my hands.
“He’s so hot. Do you think he’s upset by the breakup? I haven’t noticed him acting any different. Three years and now he’s just fine?” Her eyes moved past my cubicle and toward Duke’s office. “Look, he’s laughing at something with Mike and Ryan.”
I didn’t admit that I had thought the same thing, because under no circumstances ever would I be gossiping about Duke’s private life with this woman. And what did I know? Maybe men grieve differently. I had been surrounded by estrogen my entire life.
“Maybe he’s sad at home,” I offered.
My contribution to our conversation clearly wasn’t the vibe Anita was after. She kept her eyes trained on Duke’s office door as she leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, “He’s probably one of those guys who keeps it all locked inside. Maybe work is just a distraction to him?”
I swallowed. Distraction could come in many forms. It would be smart to remember that, I thought, as my eye followed a bead of water dripping down the Dr. Pepper cup.
Anita leaned back on my desk to stare at me, and if that wasn’t disconcerting enough, her hand was now mere centimeters away from my Dr. Pepper. If she spilled it, I’d never know what it said.
“Well, I’ve got to send some emails out,” I said, watching her clueless hand as she checked her nails on the other.
After an awkward pause, she stood up, tapping my drink with her long nail. “You really shouldn’t drink so much soda, Nora. I promise you’ll notice a difference in your skin if you cut back.”
And then she was off, strolling back to her desk, completely oblivious to how close I was to getting fired for attacking a fellow employee.
I grabbed the Dr. Pepper and guzzled. Let me be clear: it wasn’t DUKE I was giving in to. It was my need for caffeine therapy.
I refrained from reading the note for thirty whole seconds before grabbing it, knowing full well I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on a thing today if I didn’t read it. Even though I tried hard not to, I couldn’t help but smile at the scrawl of his hand.
I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist.
This was trouble.That’s what it was. As much as my body seemed to enjoy his attention, I had to disengage. Shut him down. But first, I needed to nobly inform him that I would be taking the high road and not participating in whatever he thoughtthiswas.
During my next break, I strode toward the break room and bought a can of Coke. Sneaking it into his office without being seen was a bit trickier, but I got it done. I placed a tiny rolled-up note under the can and set it on his desk.
This is NOT flirting. I am just letting you know a very factual fact. I will not be buying you another Coke.
I didn’t seehim find the can. In fact, I hardly saw him at all for the rest of the day, which led me to believe he might have taken the hint—but when I arrived at my desk the next morning, a fresh Dr. Pepper sat waiting for me, shining like a beacon. I didn’t even try to resist checking the note.
A factual fact? How interesting. Now you won’t have to buy me a Coke.
