Tamara
What the hell has come over me?
The drive home winds down long, gray roads which makes my mind wander.
I’ve never had sex with another employee before, espeically not one who I could fire with the snap of my fingers. Maybe that’s why I feel so weird about it. What if he thinks I’m using my work status to get my way with him? What if he’s using me for some kind of, I don’t know, job security? No, Jason isn’t like that. He’s an incredible employee, he’d never need to get fired.
My mind floods with thoughts of Jason, and I can’t seem to drain it out of my focus. His smell, his body, the way he looks at me. I can’t believe I gave him a wink earlier. Many times I’ve thought about his flirtation with me, but I guess for the sake of ease and reputation, I brush it off.
Oh my God! I can feel my cheeks heating up to wild temperatures. A giggle bubbles in my gut, replacing the teenage-like squeal I want to let out.
I also feel so stupid. How could I allow that wink slip? Like I couldn’t control myself. If any, and I mean, any of the guys saw me doing that, they’d take it as permission to harass me all they want and never, ever take me seriously again. Unfortunately, this is a male dominated field. I can’t risk having the guys using anything against me. I work too hard to maintain a level of respect around here.
When I wake up each morning and desperately want to touch up my cheeks with some foundation or blush and decorate my lids, I don’t. Instead, I opt for a clean face and slap professional glasses on instead of my contacts. I tie my hair up tight and put on a business suit and even then, the guys at work don’t seem to get the hint to keep their eyes to themselves.
A harsh scoff escapes my lips when I think of my boss telling me to wear heels to work. Is this really the place for that? It’s obviously a liability considering I hurt my ankle. Would he tell a man to wear heels to work?
I can feel myself getting upset, but that only fuels my worries about me sleeping with Jason somehow getting out. Sometimes, I really feel like I can’t catch a break around there. I snap back into the drive home and realize my foot has been pressing the gas a little, going over the speed limit. Inhaling, I decompress and relax as a silly grin creeps across my face.
The heels situation wasn’t all bad. After all, I did get to sleep with Jason, which makes everything worth it because I haven’t had sex in a really, really long time. I’ve forgotten how good it feels to burn under the heat of skin or to feel like you’re turning someone on past the point of explosion.
That, and Jason is good at what he does both in and out of the bedroom. I know that Jason’s been with a lot of women, probably most of the available ones in the area. I’ve heard him bragging, not that it matters because it’s never happening again.
I’ve had my fun, but it’s over now. At least it’s not awkward between us.
A heavy sigh collapses my lungs as I park my car and run inside to change. Jessy is already here, with a big smile on her face that makes me feel like I can finally relax.
“Hey best friend!”
“Hey best friend,” I say, laughing.
“Are you ready to get your drink on?”
“You have no idea.”
“Work’s that bad, huh?” Jessy says, sympathetically.
She already looks amazing. While her height mirrors mine, Jessy is almost my polar opposite. Where my hair is blonde, hers is a dark, almost black-ish brown. We’ve been best friends for long enough that she can read my body language like it’s her mother’s tongue.
“It’s not really bad as much as it’s really stressful.”
“Speaking of, how's your ankle healing?”
“Better every day.”
I hike the pant leg of my suit up and show off my expert level wrapping job. It might not look super cute tonight, but I already have my outfit picked out. A loose, spaghetti strap, black silk tank top with lace at the top, accompanied by a cute pair of jean shorts. I don’t want to be too dressed up or dressed down. The outfit is the easy part, so I run to wash my face and put on some makeup and give myself some loose beach waves.
“You always look so much happier when you get out of that business suit, Tam.”
“I feel happier.”
Jessy and I look great as we head to the bar, walking down a block and around the corner.
“Are the guys at work still being themselves?” she asks, smirking.
“They’re getting better, but you know, every day is a fight.”
“Well, let’s leave work behind!” Jessy says, laughing and swinging the bar door open with all her strength.