Forbidden Fruit (gxg)

Part 7

I didn't see much of Kori as the next week rolled around.

"I think Kori is in a ton of meetings this week," Grace said to me on Wednesday.

"Probably intimidating everyone in the room," Hassan, who was with us, said.

Grace shot Hassan a look and he said innocently, "What? Kori is intimidating. Even as a man, she intimidates me. I'm not afraid to admit it."

Grace and I both rolled our eyes but chuckled at the same time.

The only times I saw Kori during the week were when she stopped by shortly in the department. She specifically asked me if I was doing alright, and I told her things were going very well.

On Thursday afternoon, Kori spoke to all of us, "I won't be here until noon tomorrow. I have a meeting to attend. If you need to reach me, call me instead of texting me, I can step out of the meeting for a quick call, but I won't be checking any texts."

"Wow, Kori. So many meetings, it's almost like you're super high up in the company or something," Pete, one of my coworkers joked.

Kori shot him a look, but I could tell she was trying not to smile.

"Have a good night, guys," she said, glancing my way, "See you all tomorrow."

I got home that night, made some Trader Joe's Pad Thai, and scrolled on my phone with the TV on in the background. I tried to not think about Gabby, but inevitably did, and it upset me.

After working the night shift for years, my sleep schedule is pretty fucked. I tried to normalize it before getting the job at Hollis, but it can still be really hard for me to sleep and wake up on time in the morning.

On Friday morning, when I looked at my phone and saw I had to be at work in a half hour, I knew I was going to be late. I had to get ready and drive there, no way in hell was I going to be on time.

My chest grew tight when I realized I had to call Kori.

Fuck. She's in a meeting.

I'm going to be late on my third week.

I paced around my room as I called, and she answered on the third ring.

"Morning Ashley, everything alright?"

She didn't sound pissed.

"I'm really sorry, I'm going to be late today. Probably like 15-20 minutes late. Sorry to interrupt your meeting."

"No worries, for both. That's fine."

"I can work 20 extra minutes this afternoon."

"No need, it's a Friday, you'll have nothing to do. Thanks for calling me to let me know."

"You're welcome," I said, "See you later."

"Yep, bye, see you later," Kori said, and then she hung up.

At work, Grace asked me if I was doing anything for Halloweekend, which was this coming weekend.

I nodded, "I am. Tomorrow my roommates and I are going to Glow."

A/N: If you're reading my other ongoing story, "A Splash of Color", you know what Glow is ;)

"Isn't that a gay bar? It's like a half hour away, right?"

I nodded, "Yes, it's a gay bar."

"Are you part of the LGBT community?" Grace asked me, "No judgment. I'm pansexual."

I nodded, "I'm a lesbian."

Grace smiled at me, "Good to know! I hope you have fun at Glow!"

I wasn't exactly looking forward to going to Glow. I don't like bars and clubs. Too many people, too loud. Even when I was 21, I didn't go to many. But Trey really wanted to go there, and Rachel did too.