I'd worn the dress on purpose. The slit on the side showed my thigh, nearly to where my leg met my ass. It's low collar showed the cleavage of my breasts, and the jewel drew a man's eyes there. The curved, smooth skin of my buxom chest were what was going to seal the deal for me tonight. I'd been fawning over the new attorney at the firm, even though he was five years my junior. And he was going to be in my bed, tonight, if I still had the appeal I thought I had.
It was time for the company party, and I was running late. Though, I'd planned to be just a bit late, the Uber driver had gotten lost and made my ten minutes plan turn to twenty. I grabbed the brightly wrapped gift, and pushed open the door with barely a wave of thanks to the driver. I rushed into the restaurant, before the wind could whip my hair too much into my perfectly done make-up. I hung up my coat, and made my way to the private back room our boss had procured for our holiday gathering every year.
I set my gift on the table, anything under $20, pretty much everyone would be gifted a bottle of wine, my gift was no exception. I'd gone a bit over the $20, most did, and added two stemless wine glasses that I'd decorated the weekend before. I greeted a few of the other personal receptionists, and made my way to the buffet. I made myself eat before the party, and only chose a few appetizers, to be paired with a deep red merlot when I went to the bar.
"Avery, you made it."
I smiled at Helen, went to chat with her for a few moments. We made small talk as the partners in the firm congratulated each other on a great year. Our firm had taken on a big client at the beginning of this year, and we'd won the case in court, sealing our deal as their attorneys for a long time to come. It was because of them that this party was possible.
I looked around, he wasn't here yet. Dennis, the newest partner at our firm, and my conquest for the night. I felt a warm hand just below the cap sleeve of my deep blue dress, and gazed up to see the dazzling blue eyes of Jimmy, our firms' delivery clerk.
"Avery, Merry Christmas."
I smiled up at him, he was a good kid, just out of college. I knew he was wanting to go to law school, but he couldn't afford it at this point in his life. I did like talking to Jimmy, most of the attorneys ignored him, but he did his job well.
"Merry Christmas, Jimmy."
I slid my arms around him as he pulled me over to a clear spot to dance. Others soon joined us in the small corner, and I was pressed further into his body. I felt his heart racing beneath my breast, his scruffy beard brushed against my cheek. The song ended, and I thanked him, rushing toward the door as if to use the restroom. In truth, I'd seen Dennis enter and I didn't want him to see me with Jimmy.
What I didn't see, was the beautiful, thin blonde on his arm. I heard her as I approached the room again, and her nasaly voice pierced my ear.
"Where is your secretary? I thought I'd meet this wonder woman?"
"Avery was just here, I'm sure she'll be right back."
I smoothed the back of my dress again and put the best fake smile on my face.
"Dennis, glad you could make it."
"Well, there she is. Avery, come and meet my wife, Clarisse. Clarisse, this is Avery, my savior."
I shook her hand, it felt cold on my palm.
"It's nice to meet you Clarisse, I've heard a lot about you."
"Same, Avery. Thank you for being who you are."
I saw a small smirk on her face, but I decided to leave it. It wasn't til a bit later, that I knew what that smirk had meant. I over heard her speaking with a couple of my other co-workers.
"I'd been worried about this Avery, he talks so much about her. Afraid she was going to pull him from me. But..."
She snorted back a small giggle.
"With that butt, she ain't gonna lay a hand on my husband."
I turned red, until I heard the voice of a real friend.
"How dare you? Avery happens to be one of the kindest women that I know. She's a thousand times better than your haughty, skinny ass. And Dennis, is lucky she even graces his presence. And I'll have you know, he does stare at her, I've seen it. So, shut your face."
I watched her face go white, her mouth slack jawed as she stared at my saving grace, Jimmy. His eyes danced happily over at me as he saw that I'd heard. I watched as Clarisse stormed out, Dennis came to me instead of going after her.
"I'm sorry for what she said. You are fantastic, Avery."
His lips kissed my cheek gently, and he went after his wife. I slugged down the rest of my wine, and went to the bar to have another. Jimmy followed me, put his hand on my arm again.
"I'm sorry, Avery."
I swallowed half the glass before I could look at him again.
"Don't be, Jimmy. She's a bitch."
"She is, that's right, but she still shouldn't have said that. You are beautiful."
I turned red again, this time it wasn't from anger, his words had been soft and just outside of my ear as he'd leaned in closer. His warm breath on my ear had made me feel something. Something I'd never thought I'd feel from a man who was nearly 10 years my junior. I turned to him, my hand on his sleeved arm.
"Thank you, Jimmy. Really."
He licked his lips, I think he wanted to kiss me. I lifted my glass to my mouth again, sipping down more of my wine. I asked for another from the bartender, it was open bar for wine and beer, soda and water of course as well. Jimmy ordered a rum and coke, easy on the rum.
"I'm not much of a drinker."
He said, making small talk with me as we sat at the bar, together. The party still going on in the back.
"I'm not usually so much, either. But, this wine is really good. And, it's a weekend."
