It's like I'm the star of my own dating show, similar to The Bachelorette, and even though I know I ought to be fortunate and thrilled about everything-"Are you ready?" Asks Alice.
"Yup." I feign a grin even though the prospect of spending any time with anybody other than Stone Sandra makes my heart already flutter.
I tell myself, "Let's just get this over with."
I really try not to draw comparisons between the first guy and Stone as he advances forward.
Just give him a chance, Mary.
After two and a half hours, I finally say goodbye to the last "candidate" feeling fatigued and a bit overwhelmed. There were a few I genuinely enjoyed talking to, enough to give them my number when they asked for it, but--
The way my heart hasn't raced the entire time tells me that it still belongs to Stone, and a quiet sigh escapes me as I make my way back to Alice and Lucia.
Now that it's just the three of us, I take a seat next to the ladies, who are both sipping margaritas on the chaise lounges.
"Well?" Alice requests. Did any of these appeal to you?
I honestly state, "They were all Mikee."
Alice is displeased as Lucia grimaces.
I insistence, "I mean it. "They were all really Mikee--"
Alice adds grumpily, "Don't say any more." "Damning them with faint praise once is more than enough."
Oops.
Lucia looks at me curiously. "Did you really not feel attracted to any single one of them? Not even the tiniest bit?"
I slap my forehead. Lucia may be my oldest and closest friend, but it's just not my style to talk about the guy I like. And especially not now, with Lucia married to Stone's best friend.
If the other woman were to ever know the truth, I'm pretty sure she'd put her matchmaking hat on faster than I can say 'no', and she'd keep throwing Stone and me together until I end up getting fired...or worse, having Stone look at me with pity.
Ugh.
I tremble at the mere concept, and I get the horrible feeling that my grave has been trodden. I quickly leave the table and return to the cabana where I plan to change into something warmer.
As I unlock the locker to get my clothing, my mind goes back to Stone.
Three years later, I'm still utterly in love with him.
I had assumed that I could live with my sentiments being one-sided, but ever since Lucia and Mike got married, I've started to feel restless and hopeless.
I sometimes have this insane temptation to rush Stone's desk and demand to know the truth for all eternity. Do you really not consider me to be a woman?
I'm desperate to know the solution, but I'm also afraid of hearing it. I want to believe in Mike and Lucia's love tale, but...can I, really?
Perhaps Alice is correct, and I need to attempt finding a lover to determine whether my emotions for Stone are only a case of protracted infatuation.
I wiggle out of my one-piece with a groan, but as I'm about to get up, I hear the cabana door open, and as I turn around, the first thing I notice is a person in a black suit.
Wait a second.
I look up and see a sculpted jaw followed by a set of recognizable violet eyes.
I realize too late that I am standing in front of him absolutely nude as soon as his gaze descends.
Stone
The only time my pal and I bump fists and smile at each other is when we're in the elevator heading down to the foyer. This is our largest deal for the year, and if all goes according to plan, we'll be able to work with other Middle Eastern monarchies as well.
We exit the elevator together, and I cast a quick look her way. "Can Lucia come to dinner with us tonight?"
"Actually..." Mike's face is filled with agony. "Can we celebrate instead next week?"
I am shocked when I glance at him. Has anything changed? Since establishing our business about ten years ago, we've always had supper after each significant sale we conclude. Mike is typically a strong believer in traditions.
"Mary," you say.
"Mary?" I'm, to put it mildly, confused. There isn't a single thing Mary could do that would cause the business problems; she is the ideal secretary.My wife learned how Mary used to purchase Aimee bikinis.
Even I am surprised by this, so I don't even try to hide my annoyance.Our secretary is Mary, Mike. She shouldn't purchase anything for your mistress-"
Mike responds defensively, "She just had to do it twice, and I only asked her to do it because I knew they'd become friends.
It was still not in her job description.
Mike adds irritably, "I know it isn't. And although I am aware that it is insufficient, I did afterwards apologize to her.
I say to myself, "You shouldn't have asked her to do something like that in the first place."
Mike averts his gaze. "Stop acting like I somehow corrupted her. It's not like I ever informed her my size and asked her to get condoms.
Do you remember? I snarl.
Saying "Jesus, no!" Mike's voice is irritated. And believe me when I say that even if I did ask her to do that, she wouldn't care.
Mike comes out as quite confident about this, which irritates me.
I murmur, "You seem to know Mary very well."
Mike responds, "She's been working us for three years. Even more outrageous is the fact that even all this time, you still hardly know her.
I'm smart enough to know better than to ask her to purchase anything fucking unrelated to work.
In spite of this, "And yet, I'm betting you have no idea it's her birthday today--have you?"
Fuck.
My lips form a tight seal together. True, I was unaware that Mary was celebrating her birthday today, but I had a good reason for it.
I've learned over the last three years that the only way I can stop myself from having fantasies about fucking Mary is to only perceive her as a secretary. I don't care about anything that isn't related to work, and I'm doing this for her benefit.
"Damn." When he sees me, Mike shakes his head. "You weren't sure, were you?"
I tuck my hands deep within my pockets. Mary is undoubtedly competent enough to not care.
Mike averts his gaze. She is still a human person, and everyone enjoys being recognized sometimes.
I answer coldly, "I'll give her a bonus then."
You may come along with me tonight when I crash her party, or even better.
Is she throwing a party?
Mike frowns, tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Do you still remember Alice?"
