Page 28 of What I'm Looking For

Fifteen minutes later,Michelle’s calmer, and I’m on my way back to my desk feeling quite proud of myself. I’ve never stood up to the men’s reindeer games before. It was easier somehow when I was defending someone else. I wish I could tell the story to Will, to let him know thatIhad rescued someone. Maybe I’ll get the chance. If he calls me back.

Man, my emotions are more reactive than the market these days. Giddy one moment, frustrated the next. Exactly why I don’t need a man complicating my climb up the corporate ladder. Congratulating myself on this logic, I haul open the heavy door to the stairwell.

“Agh!” I squawk, finding myself face-to-face with none other than the source of my emotional rollercoaster. Did I conjure him out of thin air? “How did you get here so fast?”

“Um.” Will pauses, a hand on the iron handrail. “I just walked over after my audition on Newbury Street?”

“Oh.” Still confused, I try to picture the scenario. “Do you have one of those answering machines where you can call in and get your messages?”

“Uh. No?”

Movement down the hallway catches my eye. Two Steves are headed our way, so I step fully into the stairwell and close the door behind me. “How did you know where I work then?” Atypically, he’s dressed in a tailored suit and tie, though a colorful vest peeks between the lapels. “You didn’t have to dress up to come here, you know.”

He smiles finally, revealing that asymmetrical dimple. “Oh, I know. The suit’s for the audition, which had me in the neighborhood. Jay told me where your offices are, so I thought I’d stop by.” His brow furrows. “Is it not okay? Are you not allowed to have visitors or something?”

I wave my hand at the door behind me. “No, no, it’s just—there were guys coming and they’d tease me mercilessly if they thought I had a boyfriend.” My hand waves even faster. “Not that you’re my boyfriend, I just mean they’ll take any excuse?—”

My hands now flutter in the air like a trader signaling last minute price changes on a Friday afternoon. It takes a bit of effort to press them against my sides. “I mean, I avoid giving them any information about my personal life. I need for them to forget I’m female so they’ll actually listen to me. Guys, ya know?” I shake my head. “Sorry.” I erase that thought in the air between us. “Those guys. Not all guys. I’m sure you’re different.”

“Well, I hope so.” He laughs, hopefully with me rather than at me.

“Anyway, I’m glad you came by.” I lean against the railing, crossing my ankles to seem all casual. “So, an audition? Was it for a play?”

He sighs. “No, it was for another commercial.”

“Oh, yeah. Congrats on the coffee commercial. That was really funny.” I tip my head, going for flirtatious. “So, you decided to diversify after all?”

He shoves his hands in his pockets and joins me on the landing, eyes on the ground. “Yeah. I’m still not sure about the whole thing.”

“Why not?”

“I was excited about getting a commercial on my first time out. At first. But it was such a mess. The shoot went late, and I almost missed a performance. It was awful.”

“Youalmostmissed a performance? But you didn’t?”

“I made it just in time for curtain, but I felt so unprofessional and it was?…”

I search his face for clues when he doesn’t go on. “Did the play go badly? Or the commercial?”

“No.” The word barely escapes past his locked jaw. “I just don’t want to be a sellout. I’m happy with being a theater actor. Even if other people think that’s lame.”

I raise my hands in surrender. “I didn’t say anything.”

Something just doesn’t add up here. His emotional response is preventing him from calculating his opportunity costs. Why, I’m not sure, but I do know that it’s never a good bet to make business decisions based on feelings.

He clears his throat. “Listen, do you want to get a cup of coffee or something?”

I picture the agenda on my desk. I need to finish a report for the scheduler before I leave tonight, but I’m almost done. “I guess I can.”

“I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

“Oh, it’s not like I’m chained to my desk. I just have to get the work done.” I check my watch. “I was taking a break anyway, so I can take a longer one. Is it still nice out? I’d love a walk around the block.”

“Yeah, it’s beautiful. Not too humid.” He lengthens his neck before tugging at his tie. “Which is good since I’m not used to wearing this monkey suit.”

I risk a light touch to his arm before leading the way down the stairs. “Lucky you. I have to wear one every day. And stockings and heels,” I throw over my shoulder.

“Yeah, I had to wear those once, and they nearly killed me.”

---