Look at You

Chapter 7

7

It's still snowing on Tuesday, heavily may I add, so today Zack gets a 5-dollar tip. I'm too distracted by work to do much chit-chatting, but I'm glad it's him again today.

On the way back up I head into the kitchen to fill up my water bottle. I'm shocked to see it's actually occupied. The marketing squadron has now grown to three women in their mid to late 30s, all over made up or dressed head to toe in clothing from Dress For Less. They're gossiping around the fridge, but they don't stop on my account. I head to the water jug and listen intently.

"And Damien? You saw him right? The bigger one with the red t-shirt on? Think he's part of the actual construction crew while I think our favorite one works just for the architect." She's not even attempting to keep her voice to a whisper.

One of them sighs dreamily. "Red Sox Hat. I could drown in those hazel eyes."

"He literally is every single fantasy I've ever had combined into one."

"The body on that man. I'd do bad things..."

I've listened too intently. My water bottle has started overflowing. I quickly re-enter my own reality and ditch the overflow at the bottom of the water stand. The ladies have noticed my blunder and have gone quiet.

I manage one up-turned lip at the closest one as I bolt my booty out the door and back to my desk. When I get there, I drown myself in focus music and try to erase the scandal from my memory. For a second, I consider reporting them to HR, and then I remember I am not that petty. And this isn't my problem. And he isn't my friend. I have no one's honor to protect. Not at all.

I'm worked up about it for some reason, so I dive into the latest assignment and crush it for a few hours. I don't touch my phone—not even once.

I work until I feel Callie tap me. I eye my computer's clock before turning to face her; it's already 2 pm.

I am convinced the only thing that can brighten this terrible day is Callie—smiling in a bright yellow turtleneck sweater. "Hey!"

I take my headphones off and set them on the desk, giving her my full attention. "What can I do for ya?"

"Headphones off and everything!" She claps. Apparently, it's a habit of hers. And it's not annoying either. It's quite cute. "Well, I know you're more of a show up to work and leave promptly at 5 kind of guy, but I thought it could be fun if you came to our company happy hour tonight?" She winces like she's preparing for me to say no.

"Since when has TechNet had happy hours? Yeah, of course I'll go."

She squeals and grabs my wrists. "Yes! Okay, amazing. Thinking we'll head over at 5. God knows we need something to drink after these miserable two days. And since now. I have been commissioned by the marketing squadron to help recruit people, but they've organized the happy hour. I think they've even mentioned doing it weekly..."

Mathias' head pops so viciously over the cubicle divider that I jump. "Did someone say happy hour?" His eyes dart between the two of us. "What time and where?"

Callie, the angel that she is, leans forward smiling, keeping hold of the laughter that bubbles at my lips. "Hey Mathias. 5:30 at O'Malley's."

He nods, like this is a business transaction, then shoots himself back into his seat as quickly as he came in.

I turn to look at Callie with my eyeballs open as wide as I can get them. She clamps her fingers to her mouth to keep herself from bursting out laughing.

I shake my head, then turn back to my computer. "5:30 TechNet happy hour at O'Malley's," I repeat. "Sounds like a dream."

She senses the sarcasm. "Oh, sweet Simon. Just live a little, would you?"