Page 88 of Business Casual

“Heisfine.”

“Yeah. And he’s funny and intelligent and just a genuinely good person. And it suuuuuuucks.” I dragged the word out loudly and dramatically.

“The horror!” she gasped sarcastically.

“You know me! I don’t jeopardize my career for a man. And now look at me—fucking and sucking on the clock.” I let my head fall back against my headrest as she cackled wildly.

“I’m sorry. It’s not funny,” she apologized. “But you said sucking and fucking on the clock.” She dissolved into giggles again. “Okay, okay… I’m sorry.”

“Maybe I could’ve resisted him if he wasn’t so… perfect for me,” I admitted.

She paused for a moment. “Oh my God, Imani, you have real feelings for him.”

“I know,” I whined dramatically, bringing my forehead to the steering wheel. “I do. And that’s the problem. If it was just about the sex, it would’ve been easier to stop this. But he’s actually amazing.”

“Well from the way you’ve been talking about him, it sounds like it could be love.”

“I don’t know,” I sighed. “But whatever it is, it’s real and acting on it would cost us both.”

“Well, date in secret for the next four months and then come out publicly when your contract is over.”

“And that right there is the issue. The public already knows!” Looking around as people left the parking deck dressed up, I checked the time. “And if I’m being honest, I’m nervous. If this blows up, there goes my reputation and his too.”

“Just take a deep breath. Everything is going to be fine.”

“I’m going to have to work the room and network my ass off so that by the time Mr. Franklin fires me, I’ll already have some leads,” I continued, preparing for the worst.

“Look, just enjoy the night and make the most of it. Pass out your cards to everyone. At the end of the day, Mr. Franklin isn’t going to say anything tonight to publicly embarrass you because then he’d be implicating his son. He isn’t going to want to put that info out there and tarnish his business. That would be bad for everyone. So even if he knows, he’s not going to say anything.”

She made valid points.

“You’re right,” I told her, feeling my anxiety ease. “And if I get my card into enough hands, I’ll be able to find a new contract if need be.”

“Exactly. And you don’t really need Franklin Financial. You were good before you got their contract and you’ll be good after.”

“I appreciate the pep talk, but you and I both know I need this money.”

We both laughed.

It had been a while since I secured a contract with a bigger company. Most of the businesses I’d worked for over the last two years weren’t able to give me a contract over two or three months because of their budget constraints. Franklin Financial was a major pull.

I noticed a woman in a gorgeous gold gown and my eyebrows flew up. “Remember the gold dress I was looking at, but I thought it was too much?”

“Yes! I mean even though your boobs were jumping out of the material of that dress, it looked great on you.”

“I believe you mean the dress I couldn’t zip up because of my boobs,” I snickered. “But I see this woman in it now and she is killing it.”

“Ugh,” Keisha groaned. “I wish I was dressing up in a gown. I haven’t been to a formal event since—damn, since my wedding!”

We laughed.

I sighed. “Okay, I should probably head in. I don’t want to be the last one at the table.”

“Yeah, go and have fun. Call me tomorrow and let me know how it went.”

“I will. And have fun on your date night. Tell Lamont I said I’m impressed.”

She giggled. “I’ll let him know.”

We said our goodbyes and I slipped my phone into my black clutch. Getting out of the car, I gave myself a onceover in my car’s reflection. The lighting in the parking deck wasn’t the best, but the backless green gown looked amazing against my skin. My hair was pinned up with gold pins that gave me a gorgeous crown effect. The gold jewelry was simple, yet it sparkled brilliantly. I pulled the material away from my skin, exposing my leg with the hip high slit. And when I turned to check out the back view, the backless design accentuated my hips and ass. I smiled to myself in appreciation and when I looked up, the security guard in the toll booth was smiling too.

I looked away.

Locking my doors, I headed across the street and into an elegant hotel.Here goes nothing.

*****

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