“I wouldn’t have,” Tina said compassionately.
“So, I sat against him.For a second, I thought I should take advantage of the moment and see how he felt about me.I decided to steal a kiss.”She groaned.“I was so tired, and so warm, and so comfortable.But I had to know what kissing him felt like.I swear the drugs made me horny and sleepy all at once.”She covered her face and muttered through her fingers.“So, I lifted my head and brushed my lips across his.Just a taste, I told myself.Except…it wasn’t I practically ravished him.”
“Did he kiss back?”
“At first, then he pulled away.He stared at me for a long time.I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.I looked back at him.This is the awful part…”
“He walked away?Tell me he didn’t walk away.”
She shuddered at the memory.“No.He moved to kiss me, and that’s the last thing I remember before waking up in my bed.Alone.I totally passed out on him like some drug-addled idiot.”She cursed lowly.“There’s no way in the world that I can ever face Eric again.Ever.Never.It’s a total no-go.Done.Over.Ended.Kaput.”
Tina laughed, and Wanda looked up at her.“Girl, don’t be ridiculous.He doesn’t care.If he did, he wouldn’t be hanging around here and coming back over and over.And he sure wouldn’t be wearing all those stupid costumes.Honestly, it’s a wonder he hasn’t caught up to you yet.It’s inevitable.”
“Don’t remind me.I have to work in his building tomorrow.”
Confidentshewassafefrom running into Eric, Wanda rolled her plant care trolley onto his floor.She’d called ahead and asked to talk to him.After giving theassistant, Betty, her name, she was informed that he was out of the office for the day.
Sweet!She’d gotten lucky.
She swiftly dealt with the plants on the top executive floor and began to work her way downward.Sure, it was only a temporary reprieve from facing her own embarrassment and inability to take a stand, but she was good with that.Any delay was a good delay.
She’d gotten from the sixth floor, all the way down to the first, and had only the lobby left.She was silently celebrating when the elevator pinged behind her.
Only partly aware of what was going on, she heard the door swish open, and people began to chatter and laugh.People stopped to stare.She pivoted to see what the fuss was about.
No!
No way!
Her knees buckled as Eric, dressed in a leafy, wiggly man costume, complete with portable blower, branches, and leaves, walked slowly toward her, his branch arm waving wildly, an enormous grin on his face.
“Hey there, plant lady.I think I could use some attention.”
She held up both hands in a stop gesture.“I don’t deal with fake plants.You’ll have to call someone else.”Against her better judgment, her lips began to turn up.
The surrounding laughter quieted, like everyone was waiting to see how their boss would embarrass himself next.
“This plant has a living, beating heart.”He clutched his chest.“Please, plant lady, five minutes of your time.”He dropped to his knees and put his hands together, prayer-like.“Please.”
“Do it,” someone shouted.A chorus of agreement followed.
“Go, Mr.Varner.”
She closed her eyes.
“You’ve grown on me,” Eric said, his eyes sparkling.“You’ve taken root in my heart.Please, Wanda, don’t leaf me alone.”
She cracked up at that one, a small giggle slipping out.
“Five minutes,” she agreed, telling herself it was just to get this spectacle out of the public eye.
The crowd cheered, and Eric leaped to his feet, hurried forward, and took her by the hand.“Geraldine, please watch Miss Irwin’s cart.”
Wanda had to race to keep up with him as he dragged her to the elevator.
Over his shoulder, he called, “Back to work, people.”There was laughter in his voice.
“Don’t leaf us hanging!”someone called.
