“ I don ’ t know why I even care but I noticed you didn ’ t eat . Figured you could use this .”
To be honest I wasn ’ t shocked that he ’ d found his way to my office . As a matter of fact , I was expecting him . What puzzled me though was the same thing he obviously was puzzled about , why he even cared enough to come . I turned my back to the window and saw him standing in the shadows with a plate full of finger sandwiches , a variety of meats and a piece of every cut fruit that was on the bar .
“ Why are you in here ?” I asked with a high level of irritation . “ You should go before your boo starts looking for you .” the receptionist ’ s area and immediately locked eyes with a familiar face but it wasn ’ t my assistant ’ s . It was her date , the guy from the diner on New Year ’ s night . My mouth dropped open and for some reason he looked smug .
“ I mean didn ’ t he ask me out that night ?” I wondered to myself .
I had been pretty out of it at the time of our conversation . My mind had been so messed up from the foolishness the bartender had said . Even if he had asked me out we didn ’ t make any solid plans like setting a date nor time or anything . From the looks of it I should be glad I didn ’ t make any plans with him , ole “ wanna be a player ” ass !! I guess the joke was on me and that was the reason for his smug look . In the mirror we both could see my look of shock quickly turn into one of disgust .
I walked over and began organizing random papers that were already strategically placed on my desk . I ’ d placed them in order of importance for when I came in the next day and I knew exactly which stack was which so it didn ’ t matter that I was doing it in the dark .
“ My boo just so happens to be my sister ,” he chuckled .
He walked over and placed the plate on my desk . I ’ d stopped in mid shuffle at him confessing that my assistant was his sister . I immediately felt like an ass and didn ’ t know what to say .
“ Oh ,” was all I mustered and began to organize again .
He took his hands and placed them on top of mine so I would stop moving papers around . I dared not look up . I knew he was staring at me and I didn ’ t want to look back but I was tired , irritated and ready to go anywhere that was far away from here .
“ What ?” I asked , finally looking up into his eyes .
“ Boss Lady !!” I heard through my thoughts . “ I want you to meet my boo !!”
“ Damn !” I said to myself .
I pretended to not hear her and hurried off to see someone on the other side of the office before they could reach me . I squeezed through the crowd and her voice faded behind me . I watched my back while I drummed up aimless conversation with a bunch of people that were already slurring their words . I had no idea where in the room they were but I was trying to stay out of dodge as much as possible .
The food was plentiful and the champagne was steadily flowing . That alone was enough to keep the party going and the guests fully occupied . As soon as I had a chance I used the opportunity to hightail it to my office . I stood with my back up against the door for a while then walked over to the wall behind my desk that was one big huge window . I placed my head up against the cool glass . I felt so out of place . Some days I would forget what I did it all for until reality would come rushing back in . I was truly in need of a vacation .
“ Nothing ,” he answered and took his hands off mine .
He stood up and I sat down in my chair and slowly picked over the food he ’ d brought . My stomach happily did flip flops . Obviously I ’ d been starving but too busy to even notice .
“ Thanks for the food ,” I told him dryly .
He look pleased enough with that . “ You ’ re welcome .” His tone matched mine .
He turned to go back out of my office but then abruptly changed his mind and turned around .
“ I just want to know what happened . I ask you out and you accepted but then nothing .”
He waited for my reply but I didn ’ t have one . I was normally a quick thinker but this had me completely thrown off .
“ Hell I even asked you out despite the fact that you ’ d never given me your name . And you still haven ’ t . I had to get it from Shelby , Ms . Regina Washington .”
14 THRIVE MAGAZINE