Page 59 of The Boyfriend List
Wendy’s dark eyes study me, like she’s looking for chinks in my armour. I resist the urge to smooth out my white button-down shirt. “I see.”
Does she know about me and London dating? While coworkers can date at McMann and Ma, it isn’t mandatory to report that to HR. Or my boss.
“Specifically from October 30th to November 3rd,” I say. I chose the dates because there’s an SB19 concert happening on Halloween in El Nido, my hometown.
Wendy doesn’t write anything down or say anything for a few moments. I’ve always thought of her as friendly but professional, but now I’m starting to question that description. Her narrowed gaze continues to scrutinize me.
This is probably how she wins court cases. I just never imagined I would be the defendant.
“Why now, Gloria? I understand that your family is important to you, though they live far away, and you haven’t seen them in a long time. I have family in Hong Kong who I haven’t seen in ages.”
My hopes rise slightly at her words.
“It’s All Saints’ Day on November 1st,” I say. “I was hoping to be together with my family, because it’s always been a family holiday for us.”
As she continues to probe my features, sweat drips down my back despite the air conditioning. Inevertake vacation days. I don’t even take sick days. Ionce came into the office when I had the stomach flu and had to throw up into a plastic bucket. Why won’t she approve my one request?
“You know the promotion is coming up. Iwantto promote you, Gloria, but there are other candidates willing to put in more hours. Especially during such a busy time for our firm,” she says, folding her arms across her chest. “Including Henry McFayden.”
Henry. The memory of my run-in with him sinks my heart like a stone. Not only do I have to compete with everyone from the firm, but also people who have already left?
“So you’re not approving my request because of the promotion.”
“No. I’m warning you against it. Why don’t you get back to me about this next week, and see if you still want to go on vacation, or be a senior associate?” She says it like the answer is obvious.
But it isn’t. Not at all.
My shoulders slump but I pull myself together. “I see. Thank you for your time. I’ll send you an email next week informing you of my decision.”
“Please do. I’d hate for you to get distracted from what could be a great opportunity for your career,” she says.
What if this isn’t the career I want, though? What if the senior associate position isn’t all it’s cracked up to be? I remember Henry’s words about all the hours he was working. I barely see my family as it is. How much less would I see them if I got the promotion?
I slink back to my desk.
“So, what happened after, um, like, you know?” Giorgio stutters. I’ve never seen him so flustered before. Usually, he has a witty remark for everything, even if it’s one that earns him eye-rolls.
London, Giorgio, and I are in the break room together as we wait for the microwave. I made the mistake of packing my lunch—a simple fried rice with egg and spam—in a glass container instead of a thermos, so I have to reheat it. It’s the first time in weeks that the three of us have been in the same space together, since my disastrous date with Giorgio that ended in me having my first kiss with London.
A memory that still makes me fight the urge to touch my lips as though at any moment I’ll wake up from a dream and realize it never happened.
London turns to face Giorgio. I have no idea how he feels about Giorgio, because their friendship is beyond my comprehension. It’s not as if IlikedGiorgio, so presumably London’s jealousy should have died down by now.
“We got together,” London says, grabbing my hand.
“Wow,” Giorgio says. “Congratulations, man.”
He shakes London’s hand. Well, the one that isn’t holding mine. London looks like he’s squeezing the life out of Giorgio’s knuckles.
“Thanks.” London’s tense posture and gaze soften as he looks at me. “Actually, thanks for…. I never thought I’d say this, but you gave me the motivation I needed to tell Gloria how I feel. So thank you for that.”
“You’re not going to thank Reggie? He’s the one who put this in motion,” I try to joke.
“Actually, Reggie clued me in on his plan the whole time,” Giorgio says. “That’s why I asked you out.”
I cough. “What?”
London and I look at each other. “I think we need to find a new workplace, with coworkers who don’t create more drama than a sitcom.”
