“Happy
Birthday again, Claire.”
“Thank you.” I
tried not to blush as I rolled my window up.
As soon as I
pulled in front of my house, I opened the box and peeled the thin layer of
tissue paper away. There was a note: “To the most beautiful woman I’ve ever
met: Give me a chance to show you how great we could be together—Jonathan.”
I rolled my eyes
and pulled out what was underneath: a diamond lattice bracelet that looked like
it cost more than my house.
I latched it
onto my wrist and watched it sparkle against the darkness, wondering when I
would ever wear something like this out in public.
I wasn’t sure
whether I should keep it or not, but I knew I would give it back if I chose not
to date him for the long term.
I looked down at
the box again and noticed that there was a tightly folded piece of paper at the
very bottom. I used my nails to pry it out and unfolded it: a page from the
Statham Industries’ employee handbook.
Highlighted in
yellow were the words, “Revised as of January 2013: The no fraternization
clause is hereby terminated. Interpersonal relationships between employees are
no longer a violation of company policy.”
––––––––
I woke up at six
in the morning, practically dragging Ashley and Caroline from their beds. No
matter how many times I suggested that they go to bed early on nights that they
had work in the morning, they never listened.
“Do you have
your ID badges? You know I’m not driving out there to bring them if you don’t.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
They both groaned as they zombie-walked down the steps.
I watched them
take their time getting ready for work—ironing their white polo shirts and
khakis, re-shining their leather flats, and arguing about whose turn it was to
drive.
“Ashley, I’m
pretty sure it’s your turn.” I sighed after watching them conduct yet another
coin toss. “Please drive safely and—”
“ Stay
together .” Caroline groaned. “We’re sixteen, not six , mom. See you
later.”
“Have a great
day at work.” I shooed them out of the house and waited until their car coasted
down the hill.
I rushed
upstairs to my bathroom and changed into my most flattering workout outfit—a
black and pink cotton pantsuit that clung to my curves, and matching black
tennis shoes.
“Claire Gracen,
this is not a date. It’s just an outing. A regular outing.” I looked at myself
in the mirror. “Do not show any signs of attraction. Do not agree to any dates
past today. This is only because he made you cum on the dance floor last night
and you lost control...That’s the only reason you’re going to this thing. After
today, this goes back to being a strictly professional relationship.”
I headed outside
and revved up my car, cutting through the city streets to make it to the edge
of the park. I drove through the lot and spotted a beautiful silver Jaguar that
I assumed was Jonathan’s.
How many
ridiculously expensive cars does he own?
“Good morning.”
He stepped out of the car and smiled at me. “How are you feeling today?”
“Great. You?”
“Perfect. Do you
want to walk or run through the trail?”
“I want to run.”
“All five
miles?” He tossed a jacket into his car. “Are you sure?”
“Are you not in
shape? Would you prefer if we drove through the trail instead?”
He laughed. “I’m
in excellent shape, Claire. I was just making sure you have the stamina to keep
up with me.” He gave me a wicked grin and I immediately turned away and started
running.
He was at my
side within seconds and together we sprinted through the clay trail, weaving
through the clove of trees. We kept pace with one another, never stopping to
catch a breath.
Every now and
then I could feel him looking over at me, maybe even smiling at me, but I was
too focused on making it to the end of the trail to return his gazes.
Running had a
way of calming my nerves, making me feel at peace, and I couldn’t focus on much
else when my
Birthday again, Claire.”
“Thank you.” I
tried not to blush as I rolled my window up.
As soon as I
pulled in front of my house, I opened the box and peeled the thin layer of
tissue paper away. There was a note: “To the most beautiful woman I’ve ever
met: Give me a chance to show you how great we could be together—Jonathan.”
I rolled my eyes
and pulled out what was underneath: a diamond lattice bracelet that looked like
it cost more than my house.
I latched it
onto my wrist and watched it sparkle against the darkness, wondering when I
would ever wear something like this out in public.
I wasn’t sure
whether I should keep it or not, but I knew I would give it back if I chose not
to date him for the long term.
I looked down at
the box again and noticed that there was a tightly folded piece of paper at the
very bottom. I used my nails to pry it out and unfolded it: a page from the
Statham Industries’ employee handbook.
Highlighted in
yellow were the words, “Revised as of January 2013: The no fraternization
clause is hereby terminated. Interpersonal relationships between employees are
no longer a violation of company policy.”
––––––––
I woke up at six
in the morning, practically dragging Ashley and Caroline from their beds. No
matter how many times I suggested that they go to bed early on nights that they
had work in the morning, they never listened.
“Do you have
your ID badges? You know I’m not driving out there to bring them if you don’t.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
They both groaned as they zombie-walked down the steps.
I watched them
take their time getting ready for work—ironing their white polo shirts and
khakis, re-shining their leather flats, and arguing about whose turn it was to
drive.
“Ashley, I’m
pretty sure it’s your turn.” I sighed after watching them conduct yet another
coin toss. “Please drive safely and—”
“ Stay
together .” Caroline groaned. “We’re sixteen, not six , mom. See you
later.”
“Have a great
day at work.” I shooed them out of the house and waited until their car coasted
down the hill.
I rushed
upstairs to my bathroom and changed into my most flattering workout outfit—a
black and pink cotton pantsuit that clung to my curves, and matching black
tennis shoes.
“Claire Gracen,
this is not a date. It’s just an outing. A regular outing.” I looked at myself
in the mirror. “Do not show any signs of attraction. Do not agree to any dates
past today. This is only because he made you cum on the dance floor last night
and you lost control...That’s the only reason you’re going to this thing. After
today, this goes back to being a strictly professional relationship.”
I headed outside
and revved up my car, cutting through the city streets to make it to the edge
of the park. I drove through the lot and spotted a beautiful silver Jaguar that
I assumed was Jonathan’s.
How many
ridiculously expensive cars does he own?
“Good morning.”
He stepped out of the car and smiled at me. “How are you feeling today?”
“Great. You?”
“Perfect. Do you
want to walk or run through the trail?”
“I want to run.”
“All five
miles?” He tossed a jacket into his car. “Are you sure?”
“Are you not in
shape? Would you prefer if we drove through the trail instead?”
He laughed. “I’m
in excellent shape, Claire. I was just making sure you have the stamina to keep
up with me.” He gave me a wicked grin and I immediately turned away and started
running.
He was at my
side within seconds and together we sprinted through the clay trail, weaving
through the clove of trees. We kept pace with one another, never stopping to
catch a breath.
Every now and
then I could feel him looking over at me, maybe even smiling at me, but I was
too focused on making it to the end of the trail to return his gazes.
Running had a
way of calming my nerves, making me feel at peace, and I couldn’t focus on much
else when my
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