The next day, I’m up bright and early for my first day of work. I’m beyond excited—and a little nervous to see Lonnie again after what he saw me doing last night.
Like the first day of school as a kid, I picked out the perfect outfit before I went to bed last night. Professional, but it still flatters my figure. I don’t want to use this job as an excuse to get closer to Lonnie, but I do want him to notice me. Seeing him at the coffee shop brought back all those old feelings—though I guess they never really went away. They were just lying dormant, waiting for the time I would see him again. Now they’re back at full force. Being around him all day every day will be a challenge and possibly a distraction. It’s a good thing I’m excellent at multi-tasking.
After I put on my makeup, I put on a sexy tight slip to accentuate my curves. Then I dress in a black pencil skirt and button down blouse. I leave two buttons at the top undone. Not enough to show cleavage, but enough to make Lonnie take a second look if I bend over in front of him. I skip the pantyhose. My legs are freshly waxed and tanned, so there’s no need. Then I find my black heels. They might be a little tall for the office, but they do wonders for the shape of my legs and ass. When I look in the mirror and I’m pleased with what I see, it’s time to figure out what to do with my hair. I have long, blond, naturally wavy hair. It’s always been my best feature. Men love to run their hands through it. But I feel like wearing it up might be best for the job. It’ll make the heels seem less daring.
I pull it up into a twist and give myself a final once over in the mirror. My eyes are wide and my jaw is set. I look terrified. I realize I’m more nervous about seeing Lonnie than I am about the job. Rightfully so, I guess. The job should be easy enough. I graduated from law school with honors, so I’m fairly certain working at a law firm will suit me.
But I’ve never been in a successful relationship. The ones I’ve been in were short-lived and toxic to say the least.
Stop it Savanna, I scold myself. This job isn’t about trying to be with Lonnie. I have to keep telling myself that. Even though I know there’s chemistry between us, he’s my dad’s former best friend and there could never be anything between us. And now he’s my boss, so there is definitely not going to be anything between us.
… unless it’s just a small office affair.
Stop!
I take a deep breath and shake off the nerves. No more thinking about him. I need to focus on this job.
“You’ve got this,” I say to my reflection. I grab my briefcase and my purse and walk out the door.
I’ve never taken a train before. It’s like going on an adventure. Everyone else is used to it. People in the city are pushy and rude, but I don’t mind. I’m just excited to be here. There is only standing room, so I hold on to a poll and try to stay upright in my heels as the train lurches and people jostle around me. It smells like a public toilet. I’m starting to wonder why so many people love living in the city.
I get off at my stop and walk the two blocks to the firm. It’s in a massive office building, with a glass façade and shining metal. Not quite a skyscraper, but it dwarves the other buildings around it.
I go inside, show my ID to the security guard, and head for the elevators. On the elevator doors is a maintenance sign that says Out of Order with caution tape blocking it off.
“Are you kidding me?” I mumble.
I’m sure there are other elevators somewhere, but I don’t know where, and I don’t want to be late for my first day.
Looks like it’s the stairs for me. I regret these heels so much right now. It’s a good thing Lonnie’s office is on the tenth floor and not all the way up on the twentieth.
I take off my heels and balance them on my briefcase, and head for the stairs. By the time I’m on the fourth floor, I’m out of breath. If I don’t hurry, I’m going to be late. I take two steps at a time even though it kills my calves and I’m afraid I’m going to sweat my makeup off.
I’m just rounding the corner of the fifth floor when I run smack into Lonnie’s broad, unmovable chest. My things clamor to the floor and I lose my footing, yelping when I start to fall backwards.