I flashed my widest megawatt smile and replied, ‘I’m looking forward to working with you too, Jeff! Thanks for stopping by. I work with another colleague called Kofi who should be here by nine a.m., but when he gets here, I’ll make sure to introduce you to him too! I’m normally in the office all day until half past five, so if there’s anything you need or you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email or call me on my extension—’ I picked up one of my business cards located on the desk ‘—here. My extension is three-five-five-three and you can call anytime. I’ll also get on the phone to HR today so we can confirm your work email and some other bits that I can run through with you tomorrow morning?’
By the look on Jeff’s face, I could tell he was impressed, which gave me a bit of a rush. I loved this job, and there was nothing I loved more than being in charge of a group of men, especially. There was something exhilarating about heading up some of the most brilliant medical minds, despite having no medical expertise myself. The unique power dynamic fed a superiority complex I had come to welcome and fully embrace. At this, Jeff beamed a wide smile and gave a short bow.‘Amazing! Thank you, Cassandra. I look forward to meeting Kofi too, and I’ll be in the office until two p.m. or so moving in, so I’ll shout if I need any help – have a wonderful day!’
I quickly sent an email asking for more information on Jeff through to HR after he left, which is when Kofi sauntered in, coffee in hand. ‘Who’s that?’ he asked, cocking his head towards the door. He then kicked the door shut and placed his drink on the table. ‘He’s tall, innit?’
‘That’s our new consultant apparently. Jeff Paulson – he seems nice. I’ve just sent an email to HR for his new email and stuff. I guess they forgot to tell us he was starting this week.’
‘Oh.’ Kofi breathed, rubbing the back of his neck slowly. ‘Yeah, my bad. I did get an email about someone starting this week but I kinda scrolled through it and forgot to forward it to you. Sorry!’ He held his hands up guiltily. He knew how militant and organised I was when it came to work, and the last thing I hated was being caught off-guard – especially by one of our consultants. ‘Can I treat you to lunch to make up for it?’
Damnit. I didn’t really want to, but a free meal was a free meal. ‘Ugh. I ’spose so,’ I replied. ‘I’ll be ordering lobster for lunch, just so you know.’ He laughed as he logged into his computer. It was nothing more than a work-friend lunch – that’s all it was. I checked back on my phone to see a response from my mum:
You think you’re so funny. You get your humour from your dad unfortunately. Anyway, I wanted to prepare a meal for us all, but if you have more important things to do, then …
Ah, the good old emotional manipulation. The cornerstone of every mother–daughter relationship. I quickly replied;
It’s just a timing issue, but I’ll cook you a wonderful breakfast if that helps? The best breakfast you’ve ever had!
‘So, what time did you wanna head out for lunch?’ Kofi said quietly over the humming of his computer. I could tell he was trying to sound casual, but the tension in his voice betrayed a quiet desperation, hanging awkwardly in the air. There was a part of me that wanted to lightly mention my interaction with Jericho to him just to throw him off my scent, but equally that would have been cruel, and I still wanted to keep that quiet for now.
‘I don’t think it’s a good idea for both of us to be away from our desks during lunch, you know,’ I replied cautiously, yet truthfully. ‘I was planning to pick up a few things to get Mr Paulson ready for his official first day tomorrow but—’ I turned around to see Kofi’s face looking almost crestfallen. I felt the guilt run through me like a knife ‘—why don’t you grab us something and we can just chill here maybe? Besides, it’s way warmer here!’ His face lit up again at that. Lunch came, and in the time that Kofi dashed out to grab us two boxes of beef lasagne, I decided to make my move and book Jericho’s company for Saturday now that I’d sorted out early morning plans with my mum. I went to Jericho’sOuiMeetpage and saw that his 2 p.m. slot was still free, and booked it. After receiving the confirmation, I let out a slow grin; finally something to look forward to! I couldn’t wait. I wanted to buy a new outfit and perhaps retwist my front braids so everything looked neat. I sent Sade a quick text.
Babe, I booked Jericho again for this weekend??? Gonna actually meet him for a few hours, I can’t believe it. Need to find something to wear ASAP xx
She immediately texted back:
Bitch, this is what we love to see! Happy for u, remember to text me where you’re going and send me your location info so I know you’re not being murdered, k? Also thisjust reminds me that I need to go on a date too man. Ugh. Hate this dry spell! I need to be hooked up expeditiously! xx
At that exact moment, Kofi walked through the door with our lunch, his face lit up with a wide grin – just as a mischievous, knowing smile spread across mine. Sade wanted to go on a date. What if the best way to keep Kofi from focusing on me was to shift the attention onto …
‘Hey buddy!’ I said a little too loudly, flashing my award-winning smile at Kofi as he kicked the door behind him. I helped him with the bag of food as he sat our two Diet Cokes on the table. ‘Thanks so much for getting this, I’ve been craving lasagne for a good two weeks now, you star.’
‘No worries at all, hun,’ replied Kofi, beaming. ‘I’m just glad we’re able to do this!’ Now that I thought about it, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it sooner. Kofi and Sade. Sade and Kofi. They would be perfect for each other. Kofi was a bit of a golden Labrador – super romantic, excitable, super kind and generous – and Sade was a black cat: mysterious, sexy, nurturing and an undercover lover girl. Even thinking about it made me giddy and I knew I had to start sowing the seeds.
‘So,’ I started, turning towards him, fork in hand. I needed to tread carefully here. ‘How have you been lately? What are the apps saying these days?’ I blew onto a forkful of lasagne and was about to put it into my mouth when out of the corner of my eye I saw Kofi watching me, almost hungrily, his eyes fixated on my mouth. Shit.
I instinctively put the fork down and smiled at him – how could I have this conversation in a professional way when Kofi probably thought this was a work date?
‘Hehe, why do you ask?’ he teased. I didn’t like where this was going. Time to nip this in the bud.
‘Oh no reason! It’s just …’ I intentionally trailed off, enough to grab a few mouthfuls of pasta.
‘Well, I have a friend, you see; my best friend, actually, and I’ve been trying to set her up for a while but the men in this City move mad, as you well know.’ Kofi scoffed at this, eyes still searching for meaning in mine.
‘Essentially, I haven’t played matchmaker in a while and I genuinely think you and her would really get on! You’re quite the opposite, but I think, in this instance, it could potentially work.’
Kofi reached over and grabbed his Diet Coke, studying me quietly as he opened it and took a swig, his eyes still grazing over mine. I couldn’t read him; was he being coy or was he upset? Had he caught on to my game? I waited for his response as I swallowed a couple more mouthfuls of pasta, the air in the room suddenly feeling thick with anticipation. ‘I see,’ Kofi finally said, after what felt like hours. ‘Um, well, haha, I’m errr … Yeah, I’m still trying to date and stuff, just seeing what comes along, but I also trust your judgement too, Cass. Um, what’s she like, your friend?’
Phew. At that, I launched into my pitch. My plan was to set them up and have them hopefully like each other enough that it would get Kofi off my back if just for a little while.
‘So her name’s Sade, she’s thirty-three and Nigerian. Works as a talent agent down Great Portland Street and she’s very single and very beautiful, if I do say so myself. She’s a little introverted but she’s warm and funny and kind, and loves doing nerdy shit.’ I raised an eyebrow at him while taking another bite of lasagne. Knowing Kofi’s love for video games, I hoped my last sentence would grab his attention.
‘Mmm OK, OK!’ he nodded, his demeanour perking up. ‘Is she anything like you personality-wise? And do you have a pic?’
‘Why? What’s wrong with me?!’ I replied in mock disgust. Igrabbed my phone and brought up Sade’s Instagram account for him to see.
‘Haha, no, I wasn’t insinuating that there was anything wrong with you, sis! What I was trying to say was that if she’s anything like you, I’m sure I’d have a great time hanging out with her.’
The silence that followed hung in the air like a damp sponge. I took another mouthful of lasagne to keep my mouth full as I thought about how to answer. Eventually, I mumbled a quiet ‘Aww thank you’ and nudged closer to his seat to show him Sade’s Instagram page. Kofi took my phone and started to scroll through her photos, every now and again mouthing his approval at a bikini or night-out photo.
