Page 220 of The First Time

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"That's it? It's easier?"

He nods. "My meetings are here. My office—"

"You spend all your time in your office, so what's it matter?"

"No."

"No?"

He half-smiles. "I also have an office in my apartment."

I laugh. "With windows?"

"They look out on the park."

"And you're too busy looking at your computer screen?"

"Worse."

"What could be worse than that?"

"I have blackout curtains."

That is worse. I'm not sure if I want to laugh or shake my head in horror. Blackout curtains blocking the park— "That's wrong."

He nods. He actually looks happy… happyish. He's teasing me. Maybe. I think.

"I guess you're used to the beauty of the city. But I never get tired of it." The Empire State Building is my favorite. Sure, it's a cliché, but it's famous for a reason. I can't tear my eyes away from it.

Okay, that's not true. I'm staring to keep from staring at Blake. His intensity does something to me.

Or more… it undoes something in me. That part of me insisting on keeping my clothes on.

Ahem.

"Would you like to work here?" he asks.

"Doing what?"

"I can find an entry-level position for you. Any department you want."

"Better for your wife to work in an office than in a restaurant?"

"You want to keep waiting tables?"

"I haven't thought about it." I don't mind my job, but it's not fun either. It doesn't bring me joy or fulfill me in any way.

"Appearances are important."

I stare back at him, trying to figure out where this judgment is coming from. Is it him or someone he knows? It must be someone else. Blake is doing this for someone. Not for himself.

But he doesn't seem like the type who cares what anyone thinks.

I take another long sip. It's still crisp and refreshing. It still fails to cool me off.

Ahem. I need to keep this conversation… well, a conversation. "People treat me differently if I'm in my restaurant gear."

"Worse?"

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