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“You know you’re cute when you pout. Anyway, it’s a deal.” I held out my hand. “I accept your proposal. I would be honored, CJ, to be with you,” I said and meant it, but I cleaned it up anyway. “I mean, have you as a partner.”
“I know what you meant,” CJ said. “Thank you, Chris. I promise you won’t regret making me your partner.”
“You don’t have to thank me, CJ. You and I are going to rule the world.”
Chapter Nine
Tavarus
I arrived at the office early and logged onto the network. I read my e-mail while I sipped my coffee and nibbled on a donut. Albert James came into my office to let me know he had scheduled the interviews for the account manager’s position. News of the interview spread through the office, and throughout the day, my colleagues stopped by to wish me luck. Linda called to discuss interview strategies. By the end of the day, Alex dropped in with the latest betting line. “You’re the heavy favorite at two-to-one, Tee. Peggy comes in at five-to-four. Brent’s the long shot,” Alex said. “Betting is heavy. So if you were smart, you’d bet the farm on Brent and mess up your interview. Here’s a wild thought, what if he actually gets it?”
“Don’t be surprised, Alex. Stranger things than that have happened around here,” I said, shaking a cautioning finger. “Besides, Alex, what’s the worst that can happen? We’ll all have to be on time? Only take an hour for lunch?”
Linda walked in, “Stop leaving early on Friday. And complete our work on time,” adding her two cents in, as she sat down.
“Damn, Tee, you mean do our job,” Alex said in mock disgust.
“That’s right, Alex. No more two-hour lunches with Sandy,” Linda added.
“Look who’s talking.” Alex laughed. “The queen of long lunches and early departures.”
“All right, all right, so I’m just as guilty as everybody else,” Linda said. “But no matter who gets it, we all can stand to tighten up.”
“Which reminds me, Linda: you put a bet down yet?” Alex asked.
“Alex, I believe that would come under the heading of gambling in the work place,” Linda said with chastising finger. “Haven’t you read your memo?”
“Good-bye, Linda. See you tomorrow, Tee,” Alex said and left my office.
“Goodnight, Alex.”
Linda looked at me and shook her head. “You look like shit, Boo.”
“It’s been a long day. I was thinking about stopping off and having a drink. You wanna come with me.”
“As much as I’d like to, I can’t. Leonard is taking me to dinner tonight. But I’ll take a rain check.”
“Going out with your husband, huh? Should I be jealous?”
“Not unless I should be jealous of Carmen. Besides, you know this pussy belongs to you. Leonard hasn’t known what to do with it in years.”
I guess Linda noticed the disgusted look on my face. “What’s wrong?”
“Me and Carmen have been arguing a lot these days.”
“What about?”
“She says I’m not spending enough time with her. That she’s become last on my list.”
“That’s not my fault, is it?”
“No, of course not.”
“So what’s taking up all of your time? You’re not seeing somebody else, are you? Then I would be jealous. I don’t mind sharing with you Carmen, but there better not be anybody else,” Linda said with her finger in my face.
“Don’t worry, Linda. There’s nobody else.” And there wasn’t. “I just been hanging out with Zack and Chris a lot more these days.”
“And why is that? If you don’t mind me asking.”
