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it wasn't as though this was the first time connie had been in trouble. she'd overstepped the mark plenty of times in the past; said things she shouldn't have, disobeyed an order, misjudged something. but this was the first time she'd been nervous about being in trouble. in fact, it was the first time she'd been nervous about anything in years. after all, it wasn't a feeling that came naturally to her. she was too used to getting her own way, skilled enough to talk herself out of virtually anything, and made very few mistakes to begin with, of course.
but today, she had made a mistake -- well, more aptly put, she'd lost control -- and she already knew it wasn't one she could talk herself out of; not even with her good looks and charm. no, elle seemed like the kind of woman who would be more forgiving (albeit only slightly) if connie apologized and acknowledged her error. normally, she would rather argue and risk losing her job than even begin to consider doing either of those things. on this occasion, however, she was more than willing to do both, and it had everything to do with how attractive her new boss was.
connie knocked twice on the office door, waiting until she was given permission to enter before she somewhat reluctantly went inside, not daring to venture more than a few feet from the door. elle was sat behind her desk, scribbling away in a file, and when she didn't say anything at her arrival, connie decided it was up to her to make the first move.
"i'm so sorry about what happened today, mrs. gardner," she said, briefly glancing down at the floor in embarrassment (that was a new feeling too, what had gotten into her?) when elle finally looked up at her. "i shouldn't have let things get so out of control."
"but you did," elle said, twirling her pen between her fingers as she curiously admired connie's figure. she was a brilliant doctor -- the best, some might say; it was why elle had offered her the job without even meeting her -- and more than easy on the eyes. but that only made watching her look so uncomfortable all the more satisfying.
connie sighed, pressing her lips together. "i know," she admitted, hoping that nobody would walk by right then and hear her. "i was cocky and i took on too much at once but i can't change what happened." she paused, forcing herself to meet elle's steely gaze. "i can, however, make sure that it doesn't happen again."
elle stared at connie in silence, waiting for her to avert her gaze before quickly realizing that she wasn't going to. unlike the rest of elle's staff, connie apparently didn't have an issue with looking her in the eye. it was a refreshing change, and elle was almost impressed. it seemed as though connie might prove to be a challenge, and there were few things she loved more than one of those. "it better not," she said, turning her attention back to her paperwork. "but, just so you know where you stand, i'm putting you on minors for the next three days."
