by Kayt Miller
“I’m here to see Veronica McGonigall?”
“Roni? Really? Oh, you must be a client, let me buzz her office.” She taps away at her keyboard, picks up the receiver and speaks, “Roni? This is Tracy in reception. You have a visitor. A client.”
I’m not a fucking client. The girl didn’t give me a chance to correct her. I lean over and whisper. “Tell her it's Mick. I’m not a client. I’m her boyfriend.”
The receptionist sputters, “Oh, I’m sorry, Roni. He says he’s your boyfriend, Nick.”
“Mick,” I correct her.
“Mick,” she repeats. “Uh huh, oh, okay. I’ll tell him.” She looks up at me and says, “She’ll be right down. You can have a seat over there until then.” Tracy turns to answer another call.
I guess I just got the brush off from little Tracy. I sit in the area with a group of chairs and pick up a magazine to leaf through.
I don’t have to wait long when I hear, “Mick? What are you doing here?”
When I look up my breath catches. Holy shit. Veronica in a dress is fucking mind-boggling. It’s a dark purple color that looks perfect with her wavy blonde hair that’s flowing down and around her neck to rest over her shoulder and down to her left breast. The dress is tight in all the right places. It’s got a V-neck that shows just a hint of cleavage. Not enough. It’s snug around her breasts, and then it ties at the side of her waist cinching that in perfectly. From there, it flows outward to a skirt that floats and moves around her. My eyes follow further down her shapely legs to a pair of black stilettos with thin straps that cross over the top of her foot. Jesus, it’s sexy as hell.
I look up again and notice she doesn’t seem happy to see me. I’ll be damned. I walk toward her and say loud enough for Tracy to hear, “Hey babe, I thought I’d come surprise my girl,” I lean over and kiss her softly on the lips. Roni’s face turns a bright red hue. It’s adorable. I lean in and whisper in her ear, “I came to make your boyfriend jealous. Is that okay? I also thought I’d take you to lunch. If you have time, that is.”
She takes a deep breath like she was relieved, “Of course, come on up. I’ll show you where the magic happens,” she giggles.
I reach for her hand and hold it all the way to the elevator. I keep hold of it on the ride up to the sixth floor and even as we walk down the hall. Might as well show everyone we’re together, right? Word will get back to Chris the douche soon enough.
“Here’s my office,” she says as she leads me into a tiny space at the end of the hall.
Her office has a dim overhead light, a desk lamp, and a tall floor lamp in the corner and it’s still dark in there. I wonder if she likes it like that. I see the bouquet of flowers I sent her sitting on her filing cabinet. They look as good as I hoped they would when I ordered them over the phone.
“Do you want to sit down?” she asks nervously.
“I thought you’d show me around, you know, let Chris know I’m here.”
“Oh, right. Great idea. Yes. Let me show you around,” she says stiffly.
I attempt to grasp her hand again, but she avoids it by running her fingers through her hair. It’s okay, I’ll get her hand again soon enough. We stop by several offices. She introduces me as ‘my friend, Mick’ one too many times.
At one of the million cubicles, Roni stops and takes a deep breath. She steps into the opening and says, “Trisha? You remember Mick from Chrome? He stopped by to say hello.”
Is she trying to make Trisha think I’m there to see her? I sure as fuck hope not. I grab Roni’s hand and bring to my lips. “I decided to surprise my girl with a lunch date.”
Trisha stands up, ignoring Roni’s hand in mine and wraps her arms around my neck for a hug, “That’s so sweet. I’m so glad to see you again. Did you mention lunch?”
What the ever-loving fuck? “Yeah, I’m taking Roni to lunch. Alone.”
“Oh, right,” she titters. “I just assumed…”
“I know what you assumed,” I growl. “Roni, let’s keep moving. I came to spend time with you.” Yeah, I know I sound like an asshole, but I had to do it.
When we leave Trisha’s tiny gray cube, Roni leans in and says, “Mick! Don’t be such a jerk. I have to work with these people.”
“Right. Sorry. I just didn’t want Trisha to get attached.”
Roni giggles at that and I love the sound. “Here’s Chris’ office. Let me knock first.” Taking a deep breath, she taps lightly on the door three times.
We hear a voice call out, “Enter.”
She turns the knob and opens the door up to a huge office with views of Chicago that would rival the best hotel in town. “Damn. Nice office,” I let slip out.
“Chris? You remember Mick? He came to visit us today.”
Us? What is she doing? “I came to take you to lunch, babe.” I turn to Chris, “She was anxious for me to see where she works, meet her colleagues, you know the drill.”
“Right,” Chris says sounding irritated. “Roni? I thought you and I would go to lunch today?”
Is he for real?
“Oh, I, um, had no idea.”
“Sure, don’t you remember, we were going to talk about the launch party.”
“Party?” I say a little too happily. “What party, baby?”
“Oh, the company is throwing a big party to celebrate a new client. An athletic wear company. It’s no big deal.”
Just then, Trisha walks into Chris’ office. “What’s no big deal?” she interrupts.
“The big party,” I reply.
“The launch party? Oh, that’s a huge deal––black tie and everything. Are you coming, Mick? Did Roni invite you? Because if she didn’t, I need a date.”
“I was going to invite him at lunch. I just hadn’t had the chance. Besides, it’s Saturday, so you probably have to work anyway, right?” Roni says looking at me expectantly.
She doesn’t want me to go to this party. “I’m free. I can easily switch with someone. I run the place, remember? I wouldn’t miss this for the world, angel.” I lean down and kiss her cheek.
“Great,” she mutters. “Just great.”
Shit. She really doesn’t want me there. That’s a first.
Chapter 14: Roni
I really don’t want him at this launch party. I’m nervous enough as it is without having to worry about whether or not Mick is having a good time or if someone is trying to hit on him (Trisha). I’m organizing the entire thing. I’ll be busy checking on the catering and the guest speakers, stuff like that. But, if he wants to dress up in a tuxedo for the night, I’m not going to stop him. I suspect Mick, in a tuxedo, would be worth the price of admission.
Mick follows me out of Chris’ office back to mine. “So, is Chris your boss or something?”
“No, we’re both market analysts.”
“Has he been here longer than you?” he asks perplexed.
“No. I’ve been here a little over four years, and he’s been here about a year and a half.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously. Why do you ask?” Seriously, why is he asking?
“How did he get the huge office with floor to ceiling windows and you got this tiny dark dungeon,” he points to my office door as we get closer.
“Well, I’m not sure. I’ve never really thought about it, I guess. This has always been my office. I’m used to it. It’s far enough away from all of the cubicles and work drama. I’m secluded. I like it.”
“But his office is like three times the size of yours. His furniture is even nicer. He’s got a couch in there!”
I laugh at him. This is a penis size issue, not a furniture issue. “Did you ever build a fort out of a blanket and chairs when you were little?”
“Of course. Why do you ask?”
“I did it all the time. I loved feeling cocooned and cozy. This office makes me feel like that. It’s cool and quiet. It’s perfect for me. Chris always has people in his office. I’m not sure what they talk about in there. I guess he’
s just more social than I am. I like my privacy.”
“I guess. It still doesn’t seem fair.”
It isn’t fair. I wasn’t given a chance to have that larger office. Hell, I didn’t know it was going to be available. Chris had grabbed it before anyone else had the opportunity. But, I reassure Mick saying, “I probably could have had that office if I’d asked for it. But, I didn’t want it.” I didn’t. I love my little office.
Mick sits in my one and only chair. I don't need a couch because I have that chair. It was my parents’ chair once. It sat in their living room. I don’t think anyone ever actually sat it in back then––no one used the living room. So, it’s like new. It’s overstuffed and cozy, like my office.
Mick leans back and smiles, “This is a great chair. I’m glad you have this, at least.”
“Well, let me do a few things, and we’ll go to lunch. How does that sound?”
“Sounds good. You do your thing, babe. I’ll just observe.”
Observe? Crap. I’ve got no choice, though. I have several calls to make related to the launch party before I can leave so I let him observe. At twelve thirty, I’m ready to go.
“I’m impressed, Veronica.”
“Oh yeah? What impresses you?”
“You do. You’re smart, professional, funny, and beautiful,” he says leaning over to kiss the top of my head. His arm is wrapped around my neck as we walk out of my building. He ruins it by adding, “I’m glad we’re friends.”
“Me too.” I am glad we’re friends. I just wish it could be more than that.
Chapter 15: Mick
I take Roni to lunch at one of my favorite burger joints in the city, M Burger. It’s a fast food place, and while I know I should take her somewhere fancier, the food here is really delicious, and neither of us has the time to do something more formal. There are five or six locations if M Burger around the city and this one is close to her office. “You’ve probably been here before…”
“No, I haven’t. I’ve heard they had good burgers, though.”
“It’s great. Get anything you want. My treat.”
“No, Mick. It’s okay. I can pay my own way.”
“I invited you, my treat. No arguments,” I scowl at her then laugh. I’m messing with her, but I’m still buying.
“What’s good here?” she asks timidly.
“I like the Hurt Burger or the Old Fashioned Cheeseburger. Considering you drink Old Fashioneds, I think you might want the latter.”
She smiles and giggles, “That’s true. Okay. I’ll get that but no onion, please.”
“You want regular fries or cheese fries?” Say cheese fries. Say cheese fries. I love those damn things.
“Oh, no fries. I’m already eating so many calories, I’ll have to skip dinner.”
“No fucking way, Veronica,” I snap. “We’re getting cheese fries and your eating them right along with me. Got it? And you’d better not skip dinner. That’s not good for you.”
She smiles nervously at me, “All right. Sure. Sounds good.”
“Chocolate or vanilla?” I ask next.
“Chocolate or vanilla what?”
“Malt. Chocolate or vanilla.”
She’s shaking her head already.
“And don’t say ‘no.' Pick or I will.”
She smiles and says, “Chocolate. What else is there?”
My sentiment exactly. I add two chocolate malts to our order, and we make our way to the table. Once our number is called, I jog up and grab our tray. I pick up extra napkins and plastic silverware on my way back to the seat. I set all of the food on the table and put the tray in an empty booth. “Are you ready for the best burger in the city?”
Roni laughs and nods. When she takes a bite, she moans. Jesus. It’s a deep, raspy moan that makes my dick twitch. Thank God I didn’t get her an ice cream cone. If she were licking a cone, I don’t think I could have made it through lunch without jerking off in the men’s room.
Taking my mind off my dick, I ask, “So, you were supposed to have lunch with Chris?”
She shakes her head because her mouth is full. She swallows and takes a drink of her malt, “No. He never mentioned lunch today. He was just acting macho or something.”
“Macho? Is this the 70’s?” I chuckle.
“We had lunch on Tuesday. It was okay.”
“Fine? Wow, praise indeed. What was ‘fine’ about it?”
“No, it was good. We went to a deli across the street from the office. It’s a very busy place so we couldn’t really talk. We had to stand at one of those long skinny tables by the window, and he spent the entire time asking me about the launch party plans, about the new client and quizzing me about some other work stuff. It wasn’t a date lunch. It was a work-lunch. He probably expensed it,” I grumble on the last sentence.
“Well, that sucks. What a dick.”
That makes her laugh. Hard. She throws her head back and nearly chokes on the fry she just put in her mouth. Coughing, she calms down and says, “Yeah, he’s a dick. I’m not sure how I feel about him anymore. I need to let it play out, though, right?”
“Right. You need to let it play out.” She needs to let it play out. She shouldn’t set any hopes on me, on us. She’s not my type.
Chapter 16: Roni
“That really was the best burger I’ve ever had, Mick. Thanks for taking me there.” I’ll never go again. I’m pretty sure I ate 20,000 calories during lunch. Calories I’ll never be able to burn off, ever.
“I’m glad you liked it. Well, I need to get going. Duty calls. I’ll talk to you, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks again.” I pat him on the arm.
He captures my hand and raises it up to his mouth, “I had a great time. Thanks for playing along.”
Why did he have to say that? I’m sure he can see the disappointment on my face, but I pull myself together and smile, “Sure thing. Thanks for helping me with Chris. I appreciate it.” But, honestly, I don't want Chris anymore. I want something more, something better.
Back in my office, I open to door in time to see Chris sitting at my desk looking through my papers. What the hell? “Chris? Can I help you find anything?”
“I was looking for a pen. I wanted to leave you a note,” he says quickly.
I reach over and pull a pen out of the holder I have near my computer. There’s also a pad of scratch paper next to it. I tear off a piece and hand it to him.
“Oh, heck, I didn’t see those.”
Why is he acting so nervous? “Since I’m here, what is it you wanted to tell me?”
“I wanted to ask you out. On a date,” he smirks.
“Oh, well. That sounds good but we’ve got the launch this weekend, and I’ve got a Halloween party the following Saturday. What if we do it in November? We can talk about it later. Sound good?” I’m rushing the words; I want him out of my office.
“Of course. That makes sense.” He stands stepping away from my desk. “We’ll plan it after all of this event stuff is over.”
I see sweat at his receding hairline. What is he up to? “Sounds good. Okay, well, I’ve got to get back to it. Lots still to plan for Saturday.”
“Right. Let me know if you need any help.”
“I will. Thank you, Chris.” I try to say it as sincerely as possible. I know now I don’t want to go on a date with Chris.
I sit down at my desk and look around. “What was he looking for?” It’s so bizarre because I usually lock my office when I leave. I do have sensitive materials in here about our clients that, if they were leaked to the public, could be damaging.
I scan my desk again. I’m not a tidy worker. When I’m knee-deep in a project, everything is out and spread across my desk. But, before I leave each day, I straighten up. I lift papers and check the tabs of the file folders on my desk. There’s a large folder related to the new client and one for the plans of the party. Maybe he looked at my notes. But why?
I decide to shut off my suspicious nature and get back to
work. This party is going to be the death of me. Shit! I invited Mick to the party. He’s not going to fit in. Does he even know what black tie is? I know that makes me sound like a snob, but the guy is a bartender. I pick up my phone. I’m going to let him off the hook.
Me: You really don’t need to come to the party with me Saturday. Thanks for playing along, though.
See how I used his words for that?
Mick: I wasn’t playing along. I’m looking forward to it.
Me: Are you sure?
Shit!
Mick: Absolutely.
Me: Okay. Thank you. I’ll forward the details to you. Meet me there. I’ve got to be there early to make sure everything is set up.
Mick: Gotcha. Hey before you go, listen to this one…
Three guys go to a ski lodge, and there aren't enough rooms, so they have to share a bed. In the middle of the night, the guy on the right wakes up and says, "I had this wild, vivid dream of getting a hand job!" The guy on the left wakes up, and unbelievably; he's had the same dream, too.
Me: **groan** Yeah? What does the third guy say?
Mick: Then the guy in the middle wakes up and says, "That's funny, I dreamed I was skiing!"
Me: LOL. Seriously. LOL. That was a good one.
Me: Okay, here’s one:
A man goes to a $10 hooker and contracts crabs. When he goes back to complain…
Mick: This ought to be good.
Me: …the hooker laughs and says, "What do you expect for $10 -- lobster?"
I wait a little bit. I set my phone down and jump back to work on the party planning.
Mick: Oh my God, Roni. That was awesome. I had to stop typing to laugh. You win that round.
Me: I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for lunch today, btw.
Mick: You’re welcome beautiful. Get back to work.
Beautiful?
Me: Okay. I’ll send you the party deets. Have a good day.
