Rebound by Nikki Mathis Thompson

spot. 
    Of all the days for him to beat me into the office. Am I late?
    No, she had ten minutes to spare. How was she going to play this one? The events of Saturday night had shifted the previous dynamics of their relationship. And to add insult to awkward, there was last night.  
    Oh thanks Maddie, you and your stupid vibrator!!!!!
    She figured it was the same as when you had an erotic dream about someone and then you see them in person shortly after. You either say, “Oh you were in a dream I had”, and play it off,  or you go the opposite way and act stiff and strange, overcompensating for your embarrassment. Or the third option— act like it never happened.
    Third sounds good. Yup, just play it cool. Nothing has changed. He helped you on Saturday night and that was why your subconscious pulled him out of your male database. 
    Ha ha. I have a spank bank now.
    But maybe, just maybe, her body knew something her head had not yet become privy to? 
    She would have to wait and see how she felt around him. And there was the distinct possibility that he would be cold and rude like he usually was towards her.  Well, she would soon find out because the elevator door had just opened to reveal the fifteenth floor...
     

    Katrine quietly opened the door and sat down at her desk, making the least amount of sound possible. She was acting childish and she knew it, but she was feeling really nervous.
    She decided to just suck it up and go into his office. She willed her legs to rise and carry her to the door of his office, which was open. She knocked on the door frame to let him know she was there.
    He looked up at her and a smile started to spread across his face. She let out a relieved breath.
    So he hadn’t reverted back to admiral a-hole.
    Ha, good one... 
    “Good morning, Katrine.”
    “Oh good, we’re going to stay on a first name basis. I was a little worried you were going to get amnesia.”
    He chuckled, “No, I meant it. And I am sorry I’ve been so unpleasant. Honestly it was getting harder and harder to keep it up.”
    “Well, I’m glad to hear it. I think being kind is always easiest and it takes less energy. Maybe we could even be friends since you don’t know anyone here,” she added a little shyly. 
    God he was handsome! Now that he was being nice, she could really appreciate the view.
    “Huh… friends…” He had a strange look on his face like he was considering either the proposal or his next words very carefully. She didn’t give him a chance to speak. She didn’t want him to embarrass her by refusing her offer of friendship. She wasn’t sure if that was considered crossing the line in his book.
    “Or not, no pressure. I am just glad we can move forward on a congenial front.” She plowed ahead. “So why don’t we go over your schedule for today, Mr. Abbot.”
    He shot her a look.
    “Sorry, sorry. It may take me a bit to get used to calling you by your first name. Do you have anything to add or change to the schedule, Xander?” 
    She said his name too softly and she was trying not to look into his eyes. 
    It felt strange and too informal. Would it ruin everything if she asked if she could call him Mr. Abbot again? She thought that would not go over well, so she was determined to get over it. He returned her gaze and then seemed to snap himself back into reality. 
    “First, I have something for you. Well, not for you really. It’s just a little something to say thank you, for the save last week.” He put the something down in front of her.
    Her eyebrows furrowed as she examined the ball in her hand. She rolled in around and found a signature.
    “Oh my god! This is signed by Derek Jeter. Teddy is going to freak out!” She looked up at him in disbelief. 
    “How did you know?”
    “The day you came in for your interview, you mentioned your son was a Yankees fan. I was listening, despite appearances. My company has box seats, so I made some calls.” He grinned a lopsided grin. She