Page 31 of Drop Pass

A slow burning heat started at my feet moving up my body and finally reaching my neck.

“Elena’s old boss called her a bimbo when she left and said they could easily replace her with another one,” he explained.

I nodded. “So, she’s a bimbo. On the TV.”

He shook his head and blew out a breath. “No, a bimbo is a rude word. It means she’s just a pretty face but dumb, or has nothing else to offer but her looks.”

I cringed.

“You thought a weather person was a bimbo?”

I shrugged. “I thought that was what it was called.”

He nodded and took another sip of water. “No, it’s just a mean thing to say to a woman.”

That would explain Elena’s reaction. And I said the whole team said she was. Oh no. She thought the whole team thought she was some dumb woman with only her looks to rely on. I would seriously hurt anyone that said that about my sisters, and I would never think that about Elena. From what I’ve seen she works very hard and is very smart.

“I made a mistake.”

Hartman frowned. “I had a feeling that was where this was going.”

“I called Elena a bimbo and said everyone on the team said she was one.”

He let out a single chuckle and shook his head. “Oh boy. I’m surprised none of the women have stormed in yet.”

“They’re all going to be mad at me.”

“Not if you go apologize. You didn’t mean it and once you explain what you thought it meant, I’m sure she’ll laugh.”

I doubted that. She looked pretty upset, but I had to apologize.

“Okay. I will.”

I walked away and went to the free weights. I didn’t normally let things like this bother me. I’d let it go and if the other person held onto their feelings, that was on them. But it was different with Elena. I didn’t want to make her sad. She didn’t deserve it. She’d been nice to me since she moved in. She made an effort to thank me. She’d done more than I ever would.

I also wanted this over before it spread to the rest of the team. I didn’t want them giving me a hard time. I’ve seen that happen over and over again. Nothing was a secret with these guys. I made a stupid mistake. I wanted to forget about it, not have it hanging over my head forever.

Cutting my workout short, I went home to shower and waited to hear her come home. It didn’t take long before the elevator bell dinged and I looked out the peep hole to check that it was her.

I opened my door and stepped out.

Elena was wearing a grey skirt and jacket that made her look more serious than I was used to. She looked intimidating but beautiful. She was always beautiful.

I cleared my throat and she turned toward me. “Hi.”

She frowned and faced her door, unlocking it.

“Elena, can I talk to you?”

Her shoulders dropped and she nodded once before looking at me. I walked toward her until there was only a small distance between us. “I’m sorry for what I said last night.”

Her eyes shone and a sting went through my chest. I didn’t mean to hurt her.

“I didn’t know what that word meant.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What?”

I sighed. “I thought bimbo was what your job was called. Being on the TV.”