Today was Amanda's first day at her first job out of college. She had just graduated this past May and gave herself a few weeks to relax followed by a job search. The job search was as tedious as others warned her about, but she was lucky that her college degree was considered 'in demand'. It was dry, but it was work.
Like many corporate jobs nowadays, Amanda's new job was considered hybrid - she could work from home as she pleased... except this month. The city was experiencing quite an outbreak and the company's offices were closed until the end of August. All of this is to say, Amanda's first day at her first job out of college took place on the couch in her living room. Opening her email, she found all of the websites and links sent to her over the past few weeks and logged in.
Amanda was nervous but felt more at ease in her home than she'd feel at an office. She was a bit nervous about visiting new places - something about getting lost or standing out in a crowd seemed like the worst thing that could happen. She knew people didn't see her as nervous, but she knew it about herself.
Waiting for the meeting to begin, she was staring at herself in her screen's reflection. Although she was home, she wanted to make the best first impression possible on her new colleagues. Given that the impression would be over this video call, she adjusted her blouse and fussed with her hair until it looked perfect for the camera. The meeting clicked to life and dozens of faces appeared.
The call itself was boring. The new employees all introduced themselves individually, including Amanda. She had started to zone out the other new employees' names until she was snapped back to reality by the voice she just heard. The voice grabbed her attention and she had to see who it belonged to.
Can a voice be handsome?
Amanda mused to herself. In a couple clicks she found his icon. '
Joshua',
she read off her screen.
She glanced up from his name to see his face. Studying the screen, her thoughts turned from interest of one type to interest of another. Watching his video and hearing him speak held Amanda's undivided attention. Honestly, she felt like a creep. Adjusting her position on the couch, she felt suddenly aware of her shirt brushing over her sensitive nipples.
God damn, he is hot. Even at work and through a screen he's hot. Thank God I'm at home.
When Josh's introduction was over, Amanda settled back down into the meeting but kept an ever-distracted eye on Josh's video. Just in case he did anything cute.
-----
Work from home was boring. When the city let buildings reopen, Amanda was one of the first to go back even though it wasn't a full reopening. Employees were allowed to return but were required to stay in their office for the entire workday, alone. Which meant no socializing - but Amanda was still glad to be getting out of the house and into her new office. It wasn't even a cubicle; it had a door she could shut and everything. A major perk of the job frankly. But for the next two weeks it was more of a jail-away-from-home. Amanda could go and work in her office - but only in her office. No coworker interaction was permitted yet. While she did see people when they passed in the hallway, she couldn't wantonly break a rule in her first week just to strike up a conversation.
And yes, she had seen Josh. And said 'hi.' He was older than she had realized. Seeing him in person, she guessed there was about a 10-year gap between them. She wanted him even more. Her husband was her age; she had never been attracted to an older man before.
Even just walking by him would drive Amanda wild. Each time she saw him it would send tingles through her body and instantly make her nipples hard. And when they exchanged mutual 'hello's, Amanda could feel the heat building up inside her as her body ached for attention.
Amanda was realizing every little thing with Josh caused this reaction. She could barely listen to him speak in a meeting without drooling internally (and sometimes externally) over how intelligent he'd proven to be. It made her mad: she loved hearing him talk but could barely pay him her full attention. This 'distraction' has been the most difficult part of Amanda's new job by far.
Finally, the office returned to normal. Every day was still new to Amanda, so this normal was also new. She had been dreaming of all the different ways to strike up an earnest conversation with Josh, something more than just a 'Hello'. She was determined to get off on the right foot, planning topics and quips to catch his attention.
Her planning was for naught. Amanda found that both Josh and she stop every day for a mid-morning coffee - around 10am, which drifted to 10am on the dot. A perfect, daily excuse to strike up a conversation. And Lord did Amanda take advantage of it. Every day with no pre-planned topics needed. It flowed so naturally between them. She would chat with Josh for a couple minutes, or if she wasn't careful about time, sometimes closer to 20 minutes. The conversation was so comfortable they could carry on forever.
Amanda and Josh started leaving the office at the same time. Much like the daily coffee chats, they found themselves together: walking down the hall, chatting in the elevator, through the parking lot, and to their cars (which were almost always parked next to each other, though Amanda was always to work before Josh in the mornings).
Coincidentally leaving together escalated into waiting at the other's office door at 5pm sharp. Amanda secretly loved when Josh wasn't quite done. She could watch him work or study a paper as the sun set. It wasn't so much a fetish, Amanda assured herself, she just enjoyed seeing Josh look so professional. He was a mentor - 10 years her senior - and it was purely work-related admiration. As it turned out, he had worked at this company before and returned after a brief stint elsewhere.
She liked his expertise, nothing more. She couldn't be crushing on another man; She was married. And so was he.
-----
After a particularly long coffee break, Josh didn't part with the usual 'have a nice day'.
"A few of us are getting a drink after work at the pub. You're more than welcome to come along. In fact, I'd really like you to come."
This was not part of the plan. Amanda had not thought ahead about this.
"Yes!" Amanda cursed herself in her own head for responding so damn quickly. "Yes. Definitely. I'll see you there."
The remainder of the workday was exciting but torturous. Amanda needed Josh to like her because, damn, he was hot and driving her crazy. And he had no clue.
-----
On this Friday afternoon, instead of a mutual 'Goodbye' at their cars, it was a far more exciting 'See you soon'.
Everyone drove their own cars down to the neighborhood pub. Amanda was one of the last to get there - she was a good enough driver but still learning the streets around her office. She scoured the parking lot for Josh's car and was dismayed to find no spots nearby. She had hoped to pull in next to it - to return the favor.
Amanda joined everyone inside, grabbed the seat across from Josh, and ordered herself a drink. She was sure the conversation was interesting, but she was mesmerized. She hated having the thought, but somehow Josh was cuter now that he was tipsy. Or maybe just Amanda was tipsy. Or both. She drunkenly wondered if she was going to leave a wet patch on her chair but shook the illicit thought from her mind.
Everyone chatted for a couple hours and started to trickle out. Amanda decided it was time to head out herself, announcing as much to the group. She downed the rest of her drink and stood, starting to gather her coat and account for her things.
"So, you're leaving now too?" someone asked. Although to Amanda, it sounded more like a statement.
Are they talking to me? 'Too'? I literally just said...
