The Arrangement

Whiplash

As we met every noon, I realized we really did complement each other in company matters. He depended on me to keep him informed on the product side. I liked the way he handled personnel issues especially clamping down on the sales staff. They tended to have big egos and my former sex friend was no exception.

I heard Dan talking outside my office. His deep voice carried along with his laugh. The sound caused an unexpected tingling. Angry with myself, I stood to see who he was talking to. I expected to see him flirting with a middle-aged woman. Thinking of the way, he interacted with Patricia.

To my surprise, he was talking to his old friend, Jake who worked in my labs.

He saw me and smiled. He was easier to deal with when he smiled except it caused me to be flustered. Jake turned to me. "I had no idea you were staying at The Point. Lucky you!"

"Come on down anytime." I invited. Then I turned to Dan. "Is that allowed?"

Dan shrugged. "Should we get on with it?"

He followed me into my office. "Why do we always meet here?"

"What?"

"Never your office. I've never been to your office." I complained, suddenly not sure why I cared.

He shook his head and cracked a small smile. "Has anyone told you that you're crazy?"

"Only you!"

"I offered to meet here for a few reasons. One, I like the walk and two, I get interrupted a lot. It's calmer here."

"And three?"

"Three?"

"You said a few reasons."

"I thought I was being nice by meeting you here."

His smile was gone and he was back to business. With him, it was like emotional whiplash. Did he purposely want to keep me off balanced? Was this all a game to him?

Patricia made Debra's special Salmon recipe. She served us on the porch but didn't join us. Dan was pushing his food around his plate rather than eating. His mother used to chastise a young Danny for playing with his food.

There was sadness to him which I recognized, because I felt the same. I reached over and touched his wrist briefly. He dropped his fork as if it were red hot. He snapped his head up and looked at me, frowning.

I gently said, "I miss her too. I loved her. I think about my mother all the time."

"I know."

When he began eating, I smiled. His dark eyes reminded me there was a depth to him. It was a reminder of our shared sorrow.

As soon as dinner was over, he called Hershey and left. I was sure he was heading right into the arms of his artist. I'd like some strong arms around me. I couldn't get the image of him with another woman out of my head, no matter how hard I tried.

When he returned, Hershey came straight to my room. I smelled her, but she didn't smell of perfume. I was certain at least his dog liked me better than the artist ─ a small victory.