"He Didn't..." "He Did."

9

Nadine meets me at the copier.

"What's going on?" She asks, when she sees the frown on my face.

I want to cry. "Mom is just ruining me. So it didn't work out with Jeff the other night and she's already making plans to wed me off to Franklin what's-his-name. I just can't take it anymore."

"That's not all, is it?" This time, the tears really start flowing. Nadine just knows me inside out.

"It's Jeff. I just feel terrible and stupid and gullible."

Nadine envelopes me into her arms. (Well her stomach kinda comes in the way, but still).

"You're not any of that, Les. You're not stupid for thinking you had a chance with someone you only just met, you're normal. NORMAL."

"I guess I just started to like him and that charm he exudes, I didn't know about that Lila or whatever she's called." I sniffle carelessly.

"Les, look at me. You're beautiful, and smart, and brilliant. If Jeff can't see that, then there are plenty of other guys who would trip over their feet for you."

"I just..." I break off trying to collect my thoughts. "He just seemed like a nice guy."

"Les, guys make mistakes too. So he hooked up with Barbie, big deal, he was single then. He made a mistake, and he admitted it and apologised. Don't be so hard on yourself sweetheart."

"And what should I do about mom?" I wipe my tears. "I just can't ever get my way with her, I..." Before I can continue, Joe, the office messenger, interrupts me.

"Sorry to intrude, but there's someone here to see you Ms. Brogden," he tells me.

I quickly wipe my eyes and straighten my skirt suit as I walk out to the front desk. Instantly, I want to turn around and run back to the copier room.

"Hi Leslie." If it is possible, his voice sounds even sexier than usual.

I clear my throat and wear an expression of feigned nonchalance. "Hi Jeff."

"Look, I'm so sorry about Friday, really I am." He looks at me beseechingly.

I notice Nora, the receptionist, eying us curiously, so I lead Jeff into the empty office near the supply closet. "I don't know what to say." I cross my arms in front of me at my chest.

"Look, that day at the coffee shop, the only reason I agreed to your plan was because I thought you were gorgeous. And then when we met up later, I really liked you."

I stare at him. I know I should say something, but I don't know what.

"Leslie, you have to believe me. I would never hurt your feelings intentionally. Lila and I have nothing going on." He holds my wrists, and my skin tingles under his strong hands (suddenly it's getting really hard to control my imagination).

"Jeff, the damage has been done. My mother has gone crazy."

"Then we'll talk to her together. I'll tell her the truth, that I really like you, and that if we weren't together before, then now I really want to be."

And just like that, I have him up against the wall, my lips on his like it was all I had been waiting to do (it actually was all I had been waiting to do) (also, I may have forgiven him around the time when the said he liked me).

When we break away, he looks down into my eyes. "Does this mean you want to be?"

All I can do is pull him closer and kiss him again (this feels really good) (the kissing, I mean).

***