"Why won't these numbers line up?" I heard the anguished cry of my boss, Bianca, from her office. "This presentation needs to be done by the end of the week and at this rate we'll never be done!"
I ran a hand through my hair and stretched, blinking my tired eyes. We'd spent the past few days running reports and designing presentations for a new bank, trying to get them onboard as an investor for our latest project. Since it was a bank, however, we had to be sure the information we were presenting was accurate in the extreme. Simply handing over a bunch of spreadsheets and numbers wasn't the sexiest way to present information, however, so a large part of the work was presenting the information in a way to captivate our intended audience.
To make things a bit more stressful, it was New Years' Eve. Bianca had told the rest of the team that they didn't have to come in, as most of them had families, or at least a significant other, that they wanted to spend time with. I had plans too, but they didn't amount to much more than hanging out at the bar with my friends, so I didn't mind coming in to do some extra work.
"Do you want me to take a look?" I called out. I leaned back in my chair, looking out of my cubicle to where Bianca had her office. Her blinds, usually closed for some privacy, were open, and I could see her scowling at her computer screen over the black rimmed frames of her glasses. Usually, dress around the office was pretty casual, and it was even more so on a day we were supposed to be closed. I was dressed comfortably in slacks and a long sleeved shirt and sneakers, but Bianca was stunning in a low cut black minidress, and I found it a struggle to keep my eyes from following the curve of her exposed breast down into her cleavage. She'd had her hair done, and it fell artfully over one shoulder. I figured she had plans later that night with her boyfriend. I knew she had one, and in fact, heard her mention him more than once. I got the feeling he didn't quite understand how important work was to her, and more than once we'd all heard her shouting at him over the phone, even through her closed door.
"Do you mind?" she asked. "I feel like the numbers are swimming around on the screen."
"Sure, be right there." I saved the piece I was working on, and entered her office.
"I swear these worked out when I was working on it earlier," she said, pushing against her desk and throwing up her arms. "What did I do wrong?"
"Here, let me take a look." I leaned over her shoulder and looked at her screen, stretching over her to reach her mouse. This close to her, I caught a whiff of her perfume, a light lavender scent.
"Here's your problem right here." I typed a quick fix into the computer, then copied the formula over. "You added last quarter's numbers to the spreadsheet, but it looks like you didn't update the formulas to take them into account." I stepped back and caught a pleasant eyeful of her impressive breasts as I looked down.
"Seriously? God, I've been staring at these numbers too long. How's your part of it coming, Derek?"
"Not bad. I figure I'll be done in another two hours or two."
"Just in time for a date, huh?"
"Who me?" I chuckled as I ran my hand through my hair. "Nah, nothing like that. Me and a few of the guys are getting together to drink a few beers and watch the ball drop."
She leaned back in her chair and picked up a pen off the desk, brushing the tip against her wine dark lips. "Awww. Not going to get kissed at midnight?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "Well, I'm not planning on it, but I won't say no if the opportunity presents itself."
She smiled, a pleasant expression that showed off even white teeth. "Good boy. Now back to work. Getting stuck here all night is not what I have planned."
"Hot date with the boyfriend?"
"You better believe it."
I smiled and turned to leave her office. "I'd better leave you to it then."
As I left her office, I heard her cellphone buzz. I turned, cocking an eyebrow at her, but she stood up, shooed me out of the office and closed the door. I smirked, knowing it really wasn't any of my business anyway. Besides, as sexy as Bianca was, it would not be a good career move to sleep with the boss. That's what I kept telling myself, anyway.
The sound of shouting from Bianca's office tore my attention away from the chart I was working on. Her door slammed open, followed by her cellphone hurtling through the air, shattering when it impacted with the far wall.
"That bastard!" she cried. Tears streamed down her face, streaking her artfully done make-up.
"Uhm, what's wrong? Boyfriend?" I knew it wasn't really any of my business, but I felt I should ask anyway.
"That prick? Not anymore. We've been planning this night out for a month now, and he cancels on me. No. Not cancels. Breaks up with me. Who the fuck breaks up with someone on New Year's Eve?"
I grabbed a couple of tissues and headed toward her. "An asshole?"
She nodded, dabbing at her eyes with the tissues. "Ugh, and to think I got all dressed up for him too. Bastard."
Awkwardly, I opened my arms up, and she hugged me, pressing her body against mine. I gently patted her back and tried to think of something to say. "Why'd he break up with you?"
"He said it's because I'm more focused on my career than I am on him. He's as bad as I am though, if not worse. He's canceled on me half a dozen times in the past few months. Tonight was supposed... supposed to be special." I felt the sobs traveling through her body.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be dumping on you like this. How's your part of the project going?" She pressed her hands against my chest, pushing herself away from me. I couldn't help but wonder if her fingers lingered a little longer than was absolutely necessary.
"Just about done. I've got a few more details to work out, but nothing I can't do the morning of the presentation. How about you?"
She smiled at me, her tears gone, but her eyes still wide and wet. "Thanks to you, it's done. Or well, I've got a little more to do, but not much. What would I do without you Derek?"
"Be crying at your desk?"
"Jerk." She punched me in the shoulder, but I saw the corner of her mouth turn up in a brief smile. She shook her head. "Look, thanks for all your help today. I mean it. Why don't you close up for the night? There's nothing else to do that can't be done Friday morning."
"Sounds good." I walked back to my desk, preparing to close it down. Checking the time, it was only about five o'clock or so. Plenty of time to head home, grab a shower and a change of clothes before heading out with the guys.
Picking up my jacket, I walked by Bianca's office and poked my head. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
Looking up, she sighed. She'd fixed her make-up and was looking dejected. Sure, she wasn't crying her eyes out anymore, but I could tell she was still hurting. "Yeah, go on and have some fun. Maybe even get kissed and tell me about it?"
I chuckled. "Usually I don't kiss and tell, but for you I'd make that exception."
She raised an eyebrow at me before breaking out into laughter herself.
"Hey, why don't you come out with me? Err. I mean us. Me and the guys. It won't be an elegant night of dining and dancing, but the bar we're going to has decent beer and a friendly crowd."
Wrinkling her nose at me, she twirled her finger in her hair. "I don't know. Fraternizing with a subordinate after hours? What kind of message would that send everyone?"
"I promise I won't tell anyone if you don't. And the guys are a good group. No one will hit on you. Promise."
"How's a girl supposed to feel special then?" she asked with a smirk. "I'm kidding, Derek," she added, seeing the confused look on my face. "That...actually doesn't sound too bad. Where and when?"
"I think everyone's planning on getting together around eight or so. We'll be at the Blind Tiger. You know where that is?"
