Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 122(@200wpm)___ 98(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
His face twists into an ugly sneer.
“Well, I’m the boss, and I’m telling you it’s okay to go out with me. You don’t have to worry about risking your job or what any of your co-workers think. I’ll make sure you’re protected.”
Obviously, he doesn’t get it at all. I’m not worried about my professional reputation. I just don’t want to hang out with him. I manage to shoot him a polite smile.
“Yes, well I still have my own boundaries, and I’m not comfortable dating a co-worker. My mind is not going to change on the matter. Now, unless there’s something work related that needs to be discussed, I would really like to get started for the day. Is that okay?”
He ignores this request.
“Well, I’m not exactly a co-worker Megan,” he arrogantly chuckles, “and you just finished your daily gossip session with Ms. Sorenson. Surely you have a minute to spare for the manager?”
“Is there something work-related we need to talk about?” I ask, my lips pulled thin with irritation.
“One dinner, with drinks. Thursday night.” He offers this up to me as if we are negotiating terms for a business contract.
Lucky me, I win a night out with someone who would rather be looking at their own reflection in the mirror. And if I’m really lucky, he’ll even let out a giant burp to top off the deal. I wonder what he thinks I’m going to get from this? Who knows?
I smile politely again.
“Brian, I’ve given you my answer to this on multiple occasions already,” I say firmly. “No means no.” One of these days I am going to successfully get it through his thick head that I am not interested. If I could only go back in time and tell myself to go home that night! Ugh.
But Brian’s nothing but a baby. His voice shoots up a few octaves as he begins to whine loudly.
“But you haven’t even given me a real chance! It isn’t like I’m asking you to come home with me again. It’s just a date. Why not?!” he cries.
Oh. My. God. I cannot believe he is behaving like this! Everyone in the office can probably hear him! This is so mortifying.
I feel my face turn a bright red. I look across the way at Mira to see how far his voice is traveling. Sure enough, I see her sitting jaw slack at her desk, staring at us in amazement. Yep, everybody can hear.
“Brian! Keep it down. Please!”
“Just one date!” he exclaims in frustration, slapping his hands to his face, as if he’s about to self-harm. I cave, solely in an attempt to get him to stop.
“Fine! One date. But that is it. And no more talking about anything non-work related in the office.”
Oh no, what did you just do Megan?! No no no!
My manager instantly pulls himself together, sitting up straight and wiping the twisted sneer off of his face.
“Great. Thursday at 7:30 at the Matterhorn. I’ll meet you there. See ya, sweetheart.”
“Okay Brian,” I say grimly.
What a huge mistake.
My blood is already gurgling with regret, my stomach twisting in anxious anticipation of my dreadful night out with him. I feel much the same way I did when I woke up in his bed that morning: like shit. The pain amplifies at this thought.
Meanwhile, Brian, satisfied with his ability to harass me, prances off with a stupid smirk smeared across his face. He knew exactly what he was doing, and I fell into his trap. That clever son of a bitch. I think to myself how he looks and acts like a five-year-old whose tears instantaneously dry up after his mom finally caves and puts the chocolate bar in the cart at the grocery store. Seeing a grown man throw a temper tantrum like a child is disgusting in its own way.
I look back over at Mira who glances back at me with a very confused face. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a good sprinkling of disgust mixed into her reaction as well. Frankly, I feel quite the same.
I speak openly across the room to her.
“I have some regrets to drink off tonight. Count me in.”
My friend nods, and then we both turn back to our computers. But my day has been ruined, and I’m not expecting much now.
3
Megan
* * *
I’ve heard a lot about the Matterhorn. It’s a well-known spot that’s frequented by professionals of various industries. It’s supposed to be a high-class venue for after work drinks, and has a really different vibe from the dive bars and flashy clubs Mira and I typically seek out. For one, the restaurant is tucked into a quiet corner of the city making it feel like I’ve left New York altogether to arrive somewhere new: somewhere quiet and more peaceful. I bet this place would feel so romantic with the right person. But with Brian, it’s going to be bad, and I’m sure of that fact.