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“Thanks. Bye, Bee.”
“Bye, Kendra.”
Chapter Six
Bee
I quickly slid off my pencil skirt and unbuttoned my blouse. My elbow hit the wall of the bathroom stall and I cursed under my breath. If I knew that this was going to be how my evening would start, I never would have agreed to go. I stepped into the black cocktail dress and held my breath as I zippered up the back. It was a little tight, but it would work. And it was definitely better than my work clothes, which I would have had to wear if Kendra hadn’t just picked this dress up from the drycleaners during her lunch break. I’d have to text her to thank her again for letting me borrow it. She was a life saver.
Luckily I had worn heels to work today because of the meeting. The flats I tended to wear on a daily basis would have looked comical with the fancy dress. I stepped back into my high heels and smoothed the dress down. I took a deep breath. A black dress and black heels were perfect for a first date. He probably wouldn’t even be able to guess that I had gotten ready at the office.
My nerves were starting to get the better of me. I had never been on a blind date before and I hadn’t been on a first date in over five years. And of course Mr. Ellington had made me stay late tonight of all nights so that I wouldn’t have time to go home and get ready. I didn’t know anyone else who had to stay late on a Friday.
I folded my work clothes and unlocked the stall door. As soon as I saw myself in the mirror, I stopped. Oh God, I look like a hooker. The tightness of the dress pushed my breasts up. They were basically pouring out. I lifted the neckline as I walked over to the sink. Better. But not great.
I leaned over the sink and applied my favorite red lipstick. I smacked my lips together and stared at my reflection. The dark circles under my eyes were all I seemed to see. I grabbed some foundation out of my purse and blotted a bit under my eyes. These long hours were going to kill me. I ran my fingers through my hair. That would have to do. I needed to be across town and I was running late.
I stopped by my desk to drop off my work clothes and grab my jacket. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I screamed at the top of my lungs.
“Bridget, it’s just me.”
“Oh God.” I placed my hand on my chest. “You scared me half to death, Mr. Ellington.”
“Please, call me Joe.” His hand lingered on my shoulder. “How many times do I have to remind you?”
I nodded my head. It didn’t matter how many times he told me to call him by his first name. I would never find it appropriate.
“You’re here late,” he said.
“I know. I was finishing the documents you sent me. You should have gotten them. I emailed them to you a few minutes ago. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize anyone else was still here.” My heart was still beating fast. I looked around the room at the empty cubicles. It was just the two of us.
“I appreciate you staying so late. How about I treat you to a drink to show my appreciation? There’s a new bar that just opened up down the street.” He was hovering close to me. He always had a way of making me feel uncomfortable. I hadn’t kept track of how many inappropriate passes he had made at me since I started here, but it was definitely more than I could count on two hands. And after the comments he made today in his office, I had never felt so uncomfortable around him.
I leaned away from him. “I can’t tonight.” Or any night!
“Oh. How is your boyfriend doing?”
“My fiancé. And we’re not…I mean, he isn’t…” I sighed. I felt my face flushing. “We broke up.”
“So how about that drink? To help take your mind off things?”
“I can’t, I have plans. If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Ellington. I’m already running late.”
His lips grew taught. “Maybe next time then. I hope you have a good evening, Bridget.”
“You too, sir.” I grabbed my jacket and hurried off. My heels clicked on the floor as I made my way to the elevator. I hated that sound. I always felt like it drew attention to me. Even though my flats would have looked ridiculous with the dress, I found myself wishing I had worn them today.
When I reached the tinted glass elevator doors, I looked at my reflection again. Oh crap. I turned to the side. The lines of my thong showed clearly though the tight fabric. The elevator dinged and I quickly stepped in. I had about a minute. As soon as the door closed, I dropped my jacket and purse to the floor and kicked off my heels. I slid my nylons and thong down my legs and shoved both into my purse.
I was just putting my feet back into my heels when the doors opened. I got off the elevator and looked at my reflection again in the tinted glass. Much better. I pulled on my jacket and rushed through the lush lobby. A wave of cold air hit me as I stepped outside. I was so sick of winter.
The street was relatively empty. Taxis didn’t usually come by as often once the offices were closed, especially this late on a Friday. I began to walk toward the subway. The wind bit my cheeks and I pulled my jacket tighter around myself. I rounded the corner and saw a taxi speeding down the road. I stepped onto the curb and held my hand out for him.
The taxi slowed down and pulled to a stopped in front of me. I stepped into the street and reached for the door. But before I could, a man grabbed the handle.
“Hey! This is my taxi.”
“Sugar, don’t get your panties in a bunch. You’ll get the next one.”
