Office Desires

27. Not this time

The next day, despite the brunette's best efforts to avoid another encounter with Lou, fate had other plans. Debbie found herself at the hotel's jacuzzi after a particularly stressful day. Eager to unwind, she hastily changed into her swimsuit and wrapped herself in a towel. As she made her way to the jacuzzi, she spotted Lou sitting on the edge, seemingly lost in thought.

Caught up in the rhythm of the bubbling water, Debbie didn't notice Lou until she was practically beside her. Startled, she stumbled, losing her balance, and the towel slipped from her grasp. In an instant, she found herself standing in nothing but her underwear.

Lou glanced up, a playful glint in her eyes. "Well, well. Someone's eager for a midnight dip."

Blushing furiously, Debbie hastily retrieved her towel. "I didn't see you there."

Lou chuckled. "Okay, now this is finally a situation where your clothes are appropriate."

Debbie shot her a glare, her embarrassment turning into irritation. "You think this is funny, don't you?"

Lou raised an eyebrow. "I think it's amusing that every time we meet, you seem to end up in various stages of undress. It's like a weird talent."

Debbie sighed, realizing she couldn't escape the playful banter. "Can we just pretend this never happened?"

Lou smirked. "Sure, if you can manage to keep your clothes on next time."

Debbie slipped into the warm jacuzzi, purposely choosing a spot as far away from Lou as possible and silently wished for other people to join.

Lou, leaning back against the edge of the jacuzzi, glanced over at Debbie with a mischievous grin. "You know, it's not that bad being caught in your underwear. It suits you."

Debbie shot her an exasperated look. "Well thank you but can we please talk about something else?"

Lou chuckled. "Alright, alright. Serious talk then. How have you been?"

Debbie hesitated, wariness in her eyes. "I've been fine. Just busy with work, you know."

Lou raised an eyebrow. "I've been busy too..." She winked playfully.

Debbie rolled her eyes. "Why are you like that ? Why do you insist on talking with me ?"

"Jeez... Why can't you relax ?"

"I just find it weird talking in a jacuzzi with my ex."

Lou chuckled, the sound echoing in the warm bubbles around them. "Oh, because we are exes now?"

Debbie shifted uncomfortably, her gaze fixed on the swirling water. "I mean, we are, aren't we?"

Lou's gaze held a hint of surprise. "So after all this time, you've finally acknowledged that we were together, even though you were married? How's Claude, by the way?"

"We divorced," Debbie sighed.

Lou raised an eyebrow. "Really? Wow..."

Debbie nodded, her expression guarded. "A month ago"

Lou leaned back, her eyes scanning the ceiling. "So it's still recent..."

"It was over a long time before the divorce," Debbie added, a touch of melancholy in her voice.

"It makes sense then..."

"What ?"

"That you were cheating on him..."

"I really don't wanna talk about that..."

Lou sighed, leaning her head back. "Alright, we won't talk about it. But I have to admit, I never really understood why you stayed in that marriage for so long if it was over."