When I’m not thinking about Alexander, I’m obsessing over tonight. I’m excited about my date with Oli, I think? But also a little worried. I haven’t had a first date in ages. Ihatefirst dates. The weirdness of them, the awkward tension… Tamika is excited about it, though, glad to see I’m taking the leap. I suspect she may have a little crush on Oli, which is why she’s so adamant that I don’t miss my shot with him.
And because I had the brilliant idea to tell Kate, my best friend is also invested in this. From what I told her about Oli, she’s convinced he’s perfect for me. It’s already set in her mind: Oli and I will marry, and she’ll become our children’s godmother.
As much as I want to think of her as a reliable source where relationships are concerned, I can’t. Katherine Knox has famously terrible taste in men despite being such a clever and accomplished woman. She’s as stunning as a Victoria’s Secret model—faceandbody—and could have anyone she wants, but she keeps choosing self-absorbed idiots who think they’re God’s gift to humanity.
I eat lunch with Tami and Dakota. Of course, my roommate brings up my date with Oli, so it becomes the topic of discussion.
“Don’t have sex with him on the first night. Dry hump him to give him just a taste,” Dakota casually suggests, making me choke on my Coke.
I’m most definitely not doingthat.
As the afternoon progresses, I accept that Alexander won’t find time for me today, and I decide it’s okay. It’ll give me the weekend to work on it, which will make the app even better when he’s ready to see it.
The closer it gets to five-thirty, the more my eyes drift to the corner of my screen to check the time. I’m filled with both apprehension and excitement. I’m not entirely sure I want this date, but I know for certain I need it. For so many reasons, it’s the rightthing to do.
Literally five minutes before it’s time to go, I get a notification from Alexander.
Alexander Coleman: I have a moment now.
Now?! Seriously? Minutes before the weekend?Son of a—
“Everything good?” Oli asks, standing next to me.
With a dramatic sigh, I slump back into my chair, gesturing at the screen. “I swear, I hate this man.”
Oli looks at the message and then winces. “Oh…”
“I’ll politely tell him to go fuck himself.”
“No, you should go see him. It’s important.”
Showing Lex the app is important, but so is Oliver. “I’ll give him the fastest presentation ever and then rush home to get ready,” I suggest.
“Don’t botch it for me, Andy. If you run late, it’s okay. We can have our date another time.”
Somehow, Oli being so sweet and understanding doesn’t help. On the contrary, it makes me feel like even more of an asshole. “I promise I’ll make up for it.”
“Yeah, yeah… Go get ’em, tiger,” he replies with a wink.
I have all my things with me when I reach our boss’s door, in case I can still get home in time. As I raise my hand to knock, I’m reminded that I’m about to spend some time with Alexander. Alone. In his office. I haven’t actually interacted with him in a week, and I will be alone with him while everyone else has either left or is in the process of doing so.
What could go wrong with that?
After mustering the entirety of my courage, I give the door three firm knocks.
“Come in, Andrea.”
Hearing him say my name brings back the dreaded memory of my vivid sex dream. My skin tingles, the tiny hairs on my arms rising.Look at how wet you are for me, Andrea…
Oh, how I want to punch myself.
Chapter 09
Although I didn’t do it on purpose–Kev and I spent the afternoon on a video call with a tech manufacturer in Korea–I was hoping that by messaging Andrea so late in the day, she’d give up and reconvene on Monday. But that was stupid of me. That woman is too relentless for that.
So now, we’ll have to spend some alone time in my office on a Friday evening—again.
I thought we were okay now, considering our talk last week. But it isn’t lost on me that she has avoided me every day since. I’m unsure why she wants to see me now, but I expect the encounter to be tense, like always.
