Page 20 of Tempted

“Cleo.”

“Sorry, I’ll be quiet,” she said, knowing damn well she wouldn’t.

“He’s a good friend.”

“Was he a good fuck, too? I know I said I’d shut up. But was he?”

“Cleo. Cleeeo,” I said, drawing out her name and sighing.

“That good? Damn,” she muttered.

“How am I supposed to go into work and pretend like nothing has changed?”

There was silence on the other end for a moment while she pondered.

“Baby, you don’t. You had your world rocked by this man, right? You just have to act accordingly. Keep it professional, pretend like you don’t know what his dick looks like when your coworkers are around, and try and keep it out of the office.”

“Too late. He had me speaking tongues tied to his desk,” I whispered into the microphone.

“Tied to his desk!?” She cackled. I was sure she was also kicking her feet in the air. “Oh, you in danger, girl.”

“I know, Whoopi,” I moaned, my hand covering my face.

“Is this the wrong time to ask about the freeloader-sized elephant in the room?”

“Cleo. What am I doing?” I wailed. “It all made sense but–“

“Tell me how it made sense,” Cleo demanded.

“I just, everything has been so weird. I got the promotion, but it doesn’t feel any different. And I’m carrying it all on my back and I have been for so long, and I wanted to feel good and have fun. I did feel good. I did have fun. It was absolutely fucking glorious. I deserved to feel wanted and seen as Denise, a sexual being, not just a roommate and a wallet.”

“That. That right there, Den. You needed something, and Hugh gave it to you in spades. You are worried about everything under the damn sun that could happen, but you need to focus on how you feel and what that man gave you. He made you feel seen and wanted.” Cleo’s tone changed. She was getting into her groove and giving me the energy and focus I needed.

“You are a strong and capable black woman. Now walk your ass into work like you own that place, take that paycheck you worked hard for, and try not to stare at that man’s desk and have another orgasm.”

I cackled and shook my head.

“You’re right,” I said.

“Bitch, I’m always right. Now go make my money. Dinner is on you on Thursday. Don’t try to cancel on me, either. I’ll show up at your job and start flirting with your new dick.”

“Cleo!” I said in faux outrage.

“Denise!” She said, mocking me.

“Thank you,” I said. “I needed that.”

“Kisses. Text me. I’m now living vicariously through you, so I have to know everything,” Cleo laughed as she hung up.

If there was one thing I was going to feel after a conversation with Cleo, it was clarity. She’d known me for so long. She saw right through my bullshit and gave it to me straight. I’d been putting off our plans for a month. I didn’t doubt for a second that she’d show up at my office if I told her I had to work late again.

I waded through the crowd towards the escalator and hugged the whiskey close to me.

I’d known Hugh for years. Things didn’t have to be weird. Hell, I brought him stuff to work all the time. Mainly it was my mama’s collard greens or a piece of pecan pie, but still. I think that counted.

It was cold as shit, but it usually was this time of morning. I practically ran from the escalator into the building entrance, thanking the genius that made the financial district so walkable.

Bill wasn’t at the guard desk, thank goodness. I didn’t need that man giving me the eyes and the eyebrows before going upstairs to face the music.

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