Page 18 of Love Without Demands

As we shared a basket of crispy clams and french fries, the conversation turned back to men. “I have a date tomorrow night,” Artie informed me. “He’s the brother of the client I just wrapped up.”

“Ooh, tell us,” I said, swirling a fry through the spicy ketchup.

“He asked me out a month ago, but I had to turn him down since I was still working for his brother. I may not have many standards, but mixing business with pleasure is one of them.”

“But he asked you again after you were done with the job?” Nic asked, and he nodded with a pleased look on his soft lips. “That’s so romantic. He thinks you’re worth waiting for. I wish I could find a romantic guy. All the men I work with are science dweebs and wouldn’t know romance if it bit them on the dick.”

“Speaking of biting dicks,” Artie said, leaning forward with a gleam in his eyes, “let me tell you about the date I had last weekend.”

Nic and I burst into laughter. I really fucking loved my friends.

Chapter 5

January blustered into NewYork City like an invading army, coating everything in its path in pure white. Which lasted all of three minutes before the pristine snow was transformed into piles of muddy sludge as life—and traffic—carried on.

Seated behind the reception desk at work, I looked out at the passersby bundled in their hats and coats. I was feeling wistful this Monday morning, the dreariness matching my mood.

Dwight had flown in Friday night to spend the weekend with me, and we’d fought. I’d summoned up some bravery and asked him if he wanted to role play a little bit, and he’d initially agreed.

When I suggested that we play naughty nanny, he wanted to know where the hypothetical children’s mother was in this scenario, and I made up something on the fly.Maybe she’s out of town.

And that’s when the fighting began. Dwight blew up, accusing me of condoning cheating. I told him he was being ridiculous and that it was all just a bit of fun, a little forbidden romancescene. He’d shot back that maybe some things were forbidden for a reason.

He made me feel small, and I hated that. Not for the first time, I wondered if there was something wrong with me for wanting to engage in naughty fantasies. I’d never cheat in real life. Hell, I abhorred cheating.

“You all right?” Anita asked beside me, and I lifted a shocked eyebrow. Anita rarely spoke unless spoken to, and she certainly never showed any concern or hint of friendship toward me. We worked together. That was it.

“I’m okay. It was just a stressful weekend.”

“For me too,” she said with a sage nod, which caused her perfect black pageboy hairdo to bounce. “We moved recently, and my son is having trouble sleeping in his new room.”

Color me surprised. I didn’t even know Anita had a child. “How old is he?”

“Colby’s six. You want to see a picture?” Her brown eyes looked hopefully over at me.

“Of course.”

She held out her phone, and my heart melted. Anita’s little one had her dark skin and black hair, though his was a mess of curls that hung around the most adorable chubby face.

“Oh. My. God. He is freaking darling, Anita.” I gave her a sad smile. “I feel like a shithead because we’ve worked together for two months and I didn’t even know you had a kid.”

She returned my smile. “I’m not exactly the easiest person to get to know. And to be honest, maybe I’m a little intimidated by you. You’re so pretty.”

“Me?” I practically shrieked. “You look like a damn supermodel. I feel like if I touch your cheekbones, they’ll cut my hand off.” She let out a laugh, making her even more attractive. “And you have to be at least six feet tall. Why aren’t you a model?”

Her slim nose scrunched. “I hate the spotlight. I’d rather die than be on a stage in front of people. I have to take Xanax just to do this job. When I interviewed here, I asked for a back office position, but this is all they had available. It’s why I let you do most of the talking when guests approach. You’re so confident talking to people.”

“Yeah, my mama always said I could have a conversation with a pine tree. I know it doesn’t come that easily for everyone, but you’re doing a great job, Anita.” I patted her arm encouragingly. “You learned all the floors and offices within two days of being here. It took me a week to get everything straight. And you’re excellent on the phone.”

Her smile was appreciative and brilliant. “Thanks, Lehra. I don’t mind talking on the phone. It’s just the face-to-face interactions that make me nervous.”

The phone rang, and I bobbed my eyebrows at her. “Do your thang, lady.”

Anita laughed and picked up the phone. “Bouvier. How may I direct your call? Oh, hi, Tony… Of course, I’ll let Lehra know… Okay, you too.” She hung up and pointed upward. “Tony said Mr. Bouvier is buying lunch for the entire staff, but the restaurant just called and their catering van broke down. He asked if you could go with Cruz to pick up the food.”

“Oh. Well, that’s nice of Mr. Bouvier. When?”

“He said about five minutes.”

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