Page 31 of Spike

“Eight years ago,at the dance. I promised you I’d tell you how I got my name, and you promisedme a dance.”

Trixie gigglednervously. “Wait. You’re not serious.”

“Of course, I am.I made good, and now I’m owed a dance.”

“We’re in aShari’s.”

“Alright, then.I’ll take you someplace we can dance on our next date.”

She narrowed hereyes. “Is that your way of asking me on a second date?”

“Is that your wayof saying yes?”

Trixie bit her lipand I swear my dick took notice. “I’d love to go out with you again.”

“C’mon,” I said.Peeling a hundred-dollar bill from my money roll, I placed it on the tablebefore taking Trixie by the hand and leading her out. “Lemme get you home.”

“Don’t you want towait for your change?”

“Beth was a goodsport,” I said, handing my helmet to Trixie. “She deserves a nice tip.”

We strolled outarm in arm, and it took every ounce of my strength not to kiss her right thenand there. Trixie climbed onto the back of my bike and threw her arms around mywaist, and it felt to me like she was exactly where she belonged.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Trixie

The next morning, I walked into work and settled myselfbehind the reception desk, powering on the desktop and turning the phones offnight mode. I was early so I headed into the kitchen to drop my lunch in thefridge and brew a pot of coffee, arriving back at my desk to find the HRmanager waiting for me.

“Hey, Alma,” Isaid. “How was your weekend?”

“It was good. Doyou have a minute?”

“Ah, sure.”

She smiled but Icould tell it was forced. “Come on down to my office.”

My stomach roiled.This wasn’t good.

“Am I in trouble?”I asked as we stepped into her office and she closed the door.

“No, of coursenot.” She waved to a chair before sitting behind her desk. “Have a seat.”

I lowered myselfslowly into the chair and clasped my hands in my lap.

“We have to letyou go.”

“What?” Isqueaked. “Why?”

“The attorneyshave decided to have their secretaries take their calls, so we have no need fora receptionist anymore.”

“What about thefront desk for visitors?”

“We don’t getwalk-ins and when we have clients, the secretaries will take on thoseresponsibilities.”

I wondered howthey were all going to feel about that. They already complained about howoverworked they were. It was true we didn’t get walk-ins, but we did have abusy client list and meetings happened multiple times a day, which requiredcoffee, water, sodas, and often times food ordered in. I took care of it all.However, I had a feeling pointing that out would fall on deaf ears.

“You’re receivinga month’s severance, and we know you’ve got vacation time banked, so we’regiving you that as well. Also, the COBRA information for your insurance will besent to your home.”

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