Why was I so stupid and careless?
“That’s mine,” I say, casually.
“What’s it doing here?”
“I … I was just stressing about trying to fit in doing your extra slides.I sometimes just fiddle with it and I must have taken it off without thinking.”
She frowns, but hands it back to me before turning her attention to her computer screen.“Maybe it’s not going to be such a dark day,” she says.I wonder if I’ve been excused.If I should make my escape.
“Cecil has moved our meeting to tomorrow morning.I guess I’m really turning into the invisible one.”
“I’ll still get your extra slides done.I’ll stay behind tonight and do them.”
Her expression softens.“You will?”
“It won’t take long.I’ll get it done, Katherine, I promise.
Her lips twitch.“Thank you,” she manages to say.
***
Zach’s brother has disappeared, so I resume my meeting with him.
I show him the progress I’ve made on the client profitability report.He likes what I’m doing.Because the meeting is rushed—because he has another meeting in ten minutes time—neither of us has time for small talk.I quickly scoop up my paperwork and leave.
I stay behind after work and finish creating the slides Katherine wanted.Then I make my way back to the swanky new apartment I’m staying at.
My head is spinning.Two nights ago I was sleeping in Katherine’s office, and now, I’m here.My apartment in Tribeca.I open the door and step inside, feeling like a million dollars.
My mood lifts, and I feel good.Actually, I feel amazing.Funny how good things happening can so easily make me feel so deliriously happy.I look inside the fridge.Zach thoughtfully made sure I have the regular things, bread, milk, eggs.But this evening I’m feeling like having something different.I decide to get takeout.
My phone rings.
It’s Zach.
“Hey,” he says, sounding a little strained.Maybe because he’s calling me on my cell phone instead of my work line.I feel it too—the shift.Us, talking, outside of work.I feel a pull towards him, feel my heart pitter- pattering as I wonder why he’s calling.I’m so happy that he is.
“Hi.”I sound a little too happy.
“I’ve misplaced something,” he says.“A document.It was on my desk earlier today.”There’s a pause.“It’s a signed stock transfer letter.Original copy.”
I hold the phone close, and his voice sounds too intimate, so low, like he’s whispering directly into my ear.
“I can’t find it anywhere and I need it tonight,” he adds.“I was supposed to give it to my dad.Is there a remote possibility you might have picked it up by accident?”
“Uh ...let me check.”I brought my work home with me today, because I finished Katherine’s slides and I wanted to work some more on the report for Zach.I rifle through my documents, and find something that doesn’t belong to me.
“Okay, I think I have it.It’s on Knight Enterprises letterhead.Stock Transfer form.Is that the one?”
“It sure is.Mind if I pass by and get it from you?My dad needs it.”
“Not at all.”I don’t mind one bit.“I’m getting takeout,” I say quickly, taking a big risk.“Would you like to have some?If … if you haven’t already eaten,” I add quickly.
There’s a long pause, as if he’s not sure I’ve said the words I’ve just said.
“Did you just ask me to have a meal with you?”he asks, his tone mocking.
Is he for real?“It’s not a dinner date or—”
