Page 14 of Festive Flings

Jamie is taking no prisoners today. “A word in private, if you please, Mr. Matthews.” He simply steps to the side granting her access to his office.

I take a seat on the other side of Mr. Matthews' desk as he also takes his seat. Jamie stands, looking out the window for a moment before addressing us.

“I don’t know where the hell you both get off thinking you can check up on me and follow me. It is unacceptable. I am not your damsel in distress; I am a grown woman. I am perfectly capable of making my own mistakes and taking care of myself, no matter how stupid those mistakes seem to you. I don’t interfere with your private life. Do not interfere with mine.”

Both Mr. Matthews and I sit frozen. I have never seen Jamie so annoyed but also so much in control.

“I am sorry, Jamie; this was all my fault, I overstepped the boundaries and I promise it will never happen again. I am sincerely sorry for bringing Tim in on this.” Mr. Matthews concedes, and it shocks me, especially knowing how rattled he was about it yesterday.

“Yes, I am sorry too. We got over involved when we should have known you had it covered.”

Jamie gives us both a stiff nod. I don’t think she was expecting us to apologise so quickly. To be honest, I didn’t think we would either but the transformation in Jamie has me quaking like a little boy in the head mistresses' office.

“Okay, thank you. We’ll say no more about it. Tim, could I have a word with Mr. Matthews in private, please.” As I leave the office, I take pity on Mr. Matthews who looks like he wants the ground to swallow him up.

When I return to my desk. I finally have a reply from Lauren.

Sorry, Tim. Had to go to Ireland and visit my family. My granny has passed away. Maybe we could catch up when I get back? Take care. Lx

I have never felt so disappointed.

~ Jamie ~

After Billie’s pep talk, I decide to front this whole ordeal out. So, I made a mistake, so what? I am going to give a piece of my mind to Tim and Mr. Matthews for following me. I know they were concerned but it bothers me that they think I need rescuing. Would Tim have acted the same way if it had been Mr Matthews going on a date? I am not in need of saving or rescuing. I am strong, capable and Goddamn it, I can do this!

With my rejuvenated self-confidence spurring me on, I dress to impress. I need people to start taking me seriously. Tim says I’m like his little sister and everyone else seems to think I’m helpless and weak. Since my breakup with Carl, I have been hiding behind their misconstrued opinion of me. Well, fuck that! I am strong and I can do whatever I want. I don’t need anyone’s permission or approval.

Billie sends me off to work with a bacon sandwich and a cappuccino to go. “You are Jamie Knowles, and you are awesome!” she shouts after me as I leave the café and make my way to the tube station.

The tube is less crowded now because rush hour is over, and I even manage to get a seat. Maybe I’ll start coming in to work at this time every day, I muse to myself.

When I walk onto our floor, I almost lose my nerve, but I have come all this way. I need to do this. Tim looks sheepishly at me, so I bite the bullet and summon him to Mr Matthews’ office. They both apologise a lot faster than I anticipate and they both look contrite.

After I ask Tim to leave, my stomach starts to turn. I need to talk to Owen. I just don’t know if Owen will want to talk to me.

“I’m not sure if mixing business with pleasure is a good idea. We both saw last night how quickly things could get out of hand. I think it's best we remain work colleagues and… friends?” As the words spill out of my mouth, I realise they are not coming out as I intended them to. I had wanted to give Owen an out, a chance to rescind his offer to take me out, but it sounds like I am telling him I am not interested.

I am just about to correct myself when he replies to me. “Yes, you are quite right, it would be silly of us to jeopardise our working relationship and friendship. I completely agree with you.” He holds out his hand for me to shake, smiling as he does it. “Friends and work colleagues, eh?” and so I accept his handshake and repeat the words.

“Friends and work colleagues.” However, I feel bereft. He took the out I offered and I don’t blame him. I just can’t explain or understand why I felt so disappointed.

I hadn’t even thought of Owen as anything other than my boss, Mr Matthews, until last night. I hadn’t taken in his handsome good looks or his fine physique, his charming personality or his generous nature. He certainly is a decent man and a good catch for the lucky woman who ends up with him… it just looks likely to not be me now that I have chased him away.

When I walk out of Mr Matthews’ office, Tim looks glum. “What’s up? I thought you’d be happy now we’ve cleared the air. I got your texts by the way. Thank you, they were cute.”

“I met a girl over the weekend, but she just blew me off. Do you still want me to set you up on a date? How about you set me up with one of your friends and I’ll bring someone for you? We could try a double date.”

Fresh off the back of my humiliation yesterday and Owen’s rejection today, what have I got to lose?

“Yes, sure, okay… but not Jason.” Tim laughs at my stipulation.

“Not Jason. I promise I wouldn’t inflict him on my worst enemy. How about tomorrow night, straight from work, we go for dinner. It's bound to be busy and fun, it’s the Christmas light turn on.”

It sounds like fun, so I agree. When I return to my office, I call one of my single friends, Iris. She is a beauty, and I am sure her and Tim will hit it off.

And who knows, maybe he’ll set me up with Mr Right… or even Mr Right-Now.

~ Owen ~

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