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Nervousness kept me planted to my seat as I recalled the last time I’d gone out on a limb and showed up unannounced. I quickly shook those thoughts, determined to push forward and lean into the space that Milo and I were in. It was a good one and much better than any space we’d shared in such a long time.
He’s come up to my office twice this week, I reasoned, stepping out and locking up behind me. With both bags in my hand, I entered through the automatic doors and made my way to the elevator. As the doors shut, it felt like my throat followed suit. I inhaled deeply and exhaled seconds later in an attempt to regulate my breathing. By the time the doors opened on Milo’s floor, I’d regained control.
Stepping into the well-lit space with my head high, chest in the air, stomach growling, and my center throbbing, I scanned it for any signs of the man that my cravings included. There were none. Even the receptionist area was empty. The small bell on the counter, I tapped, waiting for assistance. After two minutes of waiting, shifting my weight, and unraveling internally, I realized no one would be coming.
I, then, resulted to scrambling through my purse to retrieve my phone, which required setting our food down. However, there was nowhere for it to go other than on the desk in front of me. Reluctantly, I set it all down and retrieved my phone. I dialed Milo’s cell number. As it began to ring, voices surfaced, capturing my attention.
“Hmmm,” an unfamiliar, feminine voice hummed. “I don’t think I could’ve asked for a better, bigger boss.”
“You’re out of control, Christina. Make that the las—”
“You said that the last time.”
“I mean it this time. Make that the last time yo—”
They rounded the corner one after the other. Christina, who looked awfully familiar, cleaned the corners of her mouth and straightened her face as I came into clear view.
“Oh, sor—Hello,” she stammered. “How can I help you?”
Words completely failed me, leaving me soundless as I realized why Christina looked so familiar. She was the same woman I’d encountered at Milo’s home.
“Natur—”
“Don’t. Don’t do that,” I interjected. “I jus… I just wanted to return the favor and uh, and bring you lunch.”
And hug you and kiss you and fuck you, but someone else has already handled that.
I cringed at the sound of the voice in my head. The fact that I kept making a fool of myself, and in front of the same woman, made my stomach turn. And the fact that Milo, once again, was having relations with someone this close to him, whom he worked with, left me baffled. Pulling myself up from the floor by my imaginary boot straps, I turned, leaving my food and his, and headed out toward the elevator.
As if it heard the shattering of my heart again, it arrived almost immediately after I pressed the button. Milo’s lack of assertion confirmed everything I needed to know. I made it out of the building and into my truck before the emotions hit me at once. As fast as my fingers would allow, I found Shayla’s name and tapped the call button.
“Hey, babe. What’s up?”
“Are you busy?” I cried, exiting the parking lot.
“I can get unbusy for you. What is it?”
“Can you meet me somewhere?”
“I wish I could, Nature, but the most I can do right now is hold this phone.”
“I understand. Sorry for calling in the middle of your day.”
“What’s the matter?”
“He’s doing it again. It’s like it’s happening all over again.”
“What?”
“It’s his assistant.”
“What about his assistant?”
“The person he’s sleeping with. The girl I saw at his house. It’s his assistant. This feels like college all over again.”
“You’re lying, friend.”
“I’m not. He’s been bringing me lunch this week. I just left my appointment and decided to bring him lunch today. Just returning the gesture. I get to the office and no one is at the front desk. I ring the bell, still nothing. I put my things down to call Milo, though I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.
