Business and Pleasure Read Online Free Page B

Bob’s
hand and turns to me. “Elizabeth, would you be so kind as to walk
me out?”
    What ? I hesitate, but quickly realize
I have no choice, unless I want to appear completely
unprofessional. “Why, of course, Alexander. I’ll be happy to see
you out.”
    “Alex.”
    I nod in agreement. Alexander. Alex.
Whatever. Who cares, as long as I never see the man again? I smile
and say, “Alex.”
    Christina doesn’t look happy about any of
this. I wonder if she has a problem with my walking them out, or if
she’s upset because her boss keeps telling me to call him Alex. Or
maybe she just doesn’t like me…for whatever reason. Oh well .
I shrug inwardly. I’ll never see her again, either. God
willing. They follow me down the hallway, and we step into the
elevator. As the door slides closed, I press the button for the
ground floor.
    “It was very nice to meet you,
Elizabeth.”
    “Likewise.” I hate lying, but what can I
do?
    “Really?” He’s smiling, as if he’s able to
read my mind.
    “Really was it nice to meet you? Yes. Of
course.” I sigh and add, for the sake of my eternal soul, “Do I
wish it was under different circumstances? Yes. I must admit I
do.”
    As the doors open on the first floor,
Christina practically runs out of the elevator, while Alex lags
behind and turns to me.
    “We may have to come up with different
circumstances then. Have a nice day, Elizabeth.”
    Before I can say another word, the doors
slide closed in my face. I stand there blinking, speechless. What
the heck did he mean by that ?
     
    *****
     
    The rest of the day passes by somewhat
smoothly. After getting that meeting over with, I can relax more
and actually get some work done. Bob pouts, and every time I see
him, he sighs and shakes his head, but I easily ignore his
histrionics. If he wants more money and a bigger office, he can
leave. Natalie, on the other hands, seems thrilled with my
decision. She sits in my office with me for part of the day,
helping me sort through papers and read manuscripts, and as we wrap
things up late that afternoon, she suggests we go out and
celebrate.
    “You don’t have to twist my arm,” I
laughingly agree with her as I gather up my things and prepare to
go home.
    We decide to meet at The Double Seven, and
all the way home, my anticipation grows. I feel as if a weight has
been lifted from my shoulders.
    While getting ready, I sent a quick text to
Nicki and Becca, asking if either of them want to come out with us.
Surprisingly, they both text back, saying they will be there. I am
feeling rather good this evening—accomplished and confident—and I’m
so excited about going out and celebrating with my friends. No more
worrying about work, no more stress, just my friends and I, having
a good time.
    We arrive at The Double Seven around a
quarter after nine and waste no time getting some drinks in our
system. We settle into the dark leather booth with our cocktails
and chat like a bunch of teenagers at a slumber party. Strange, I
can’t remember ever feeling this carefree. We all look amazing, too. I’m wearing my tight, red dress that leaves very
little to the imagination, while Natalie is wearing one that’s
similar but in black, and with her red hair, she looks fabulous.
Becca has left her blond hair down over her shoulders in waves, and
she chose a beautiful pink dress, of course (pink is her favorite
color), and Nicki is beautiful, as usual, in her black miniskirt,
with her black hair up in a high ponytail.
    The atmosphere at The Double Seven is
intoxicating, with dim lighting—some of which, like near the bar,
is red—providing a dark, seductive mood, just the way I like it.
It’s a typical Friday night, but we have the added excitement of
something to celebrate. As we’re finishing up our third drink each,
a waiter approaches are table. He’s grinning ear-to-ear, and he’s
carrying a bottle.
    “Dom Perignon for the four lovely ladies
compliments of a fellow customer and