Page 4 of The Chance
The line went dead and my heart did this weird loop de loop thing because I was more than excited to see the farm guy after work. Then I smiled inwardly, I had a double espresso before I bought the ill-fitting skirt. That’s the reason for the odd flutters. Caffeine. It was just the good old coffee bean spiking the jitters.
Linda rolled her seat closer, thankfully unaware of my recent conversation because, no doubt, she'd act like I was cheating on Blake, even though we hadn't met each other yet. "You ready for tonight? Fuzzy bits waxed… toenails painted?"
"Sure. I've shaved my armpits and flossed my teeth." I raised my eyes to the fluorescent lights above her head.
"You aren't taking this date seriously!" Linda slammed her mug down on the desk and ripped open a sachet of sugar, tipping the white granules into her jumbo sized coffee. "Now look what you've made me do."
"That ones on you. It's not my fault if you sugar binge."
"Blake thinks you're hot, Lexi, and we both know he's super sexy, so why does this feel like pulling teeth from a darn chicken?"
"Chickens don't have teeth, Linda."
"Exactly. I'm pulling and nothing is coming out."
"I don't get it?"
Her eyes rolled. "I've fixed you up with the hottest present this side of Christmas and you don't seem excited. Do I need to shove a star up your ass to get a reaction?” Linda's face took a red glow like a heat lamp and her fingernails drummed the desk.
Leaning back in the chair I pulled my hands behind my head. "I know you think he's 'the one for a night of amazing sex', but if there's no connection then I won't be unwrapping your early Christmas present," I jested. “And for the record, we aren’t doing gifts this year.”
Linda crouched forward and lowered her voice with a schoolgirl look on her face. "I bet you’d like to peel back a corner, just to see the surprise underneath." Her shoulders rounded as she giggled. "I still remember the night I orgasmed multiple times. If I ever see that guy again, I'll marry him."
"He brushed you off, Linda." She'd been obsessing over her BSE guy for over a year, even though he took her number and didn't call.
Her head shook like she was trying to forget. "I’m sure Blake will take you on the ride of your life, Lexi."
"I bet he would try, from what you've told me." He sounded like a male gigolo, and I wasn't impressed, slightly intrigued, but not overly enthusiastic. I felt very meh about the whole ordeal.
"Look, he's a nice guy. If you want a bit of fun, then he's your man. You did tell me you wanted to up the sex game after all the dreary first dates you've had lately. When was your last real relationship? Like well over a year ago? I’m surprised you don’t have cobwebs down there.” Her chin dipped towards my groin and I instantly crossed my legs. “It was Mick, wasn't it?” she added like there was a bad smell up her nose.
Ugh! Mick. Even his name made my skin crawl. My ex had a way of twisting my guts to a shade of green. "Please, don't mention him. I've already told you to erase his name from your vocab."
Mick was the essence of a city guy with a smarmy charm that bordered on sleazy. When I met him, the rich tailored suits screamed out sexy professional, but as the weeks passed, I got to find out what was really under the expensive material. Nothing of substance. He was all about the money, the cha-ching and all things bling. Job titles mattered and mingling (ass kissing) in the right crowd was a priority. Any bedroom effort was minimal – he relied on me to do all the work. I was the giver and he was always the taker.
"It's true though. You said you wanted more than just a quick lick and a flick. I think adventurous is the word you used?" Linda tapped her glossy lip. "Also, he's far removed from your usual city lad type. He's more brawny than brainy."
Looking over my shoulder, I scanned the room. Mags had long gone and the only other people in the office were her secretary and the IT guy who was loitering at the vending machine.
"If he's cocky, then I'll bin him before dessert."
"Honey, he is dessert."
Three
The meeting with Denzel was about eighty percent successful. I’d forgotten the totals for the recent ad campaign and left the notes on my desk. Mags rolled her eyes heavenwards when I offered to email him the full details after the meeting. Apparently, the purpose of the meeting was to present him with all the information, at one time, so he could make an informed decision before he left.
"How did it go?" Linda asked when I slumped into my chair and dragged my nails through my hair.
"Dreadful. I left this..." I held up the spreadsheet which showed the figures. "On my desk." I fanned it in the air, raising my hand to the ceiling.
"Oops, and to add insult to injury, you wore that skirt. I think it has to be the ugliest fucking thing I've ever seen. Perhaps that's your unlucky skirt. The skirt of Satan."
"I was in a rush this morning. It was either this thing or a skirt covered in cow crap."
"Cow crap?"
"Don't ask. Let's go shopping now, it's lunch time. I need an outfit for tonight." Even though I have a wardrobe filled with dresses for every occasion.
