Yes, Sir

1.3

"I understand. Why not ask Brent? He'd sure be glad to give you a ride," she raises her eyebrows suggestively.

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. Brent was a sweet guy, but I see him more with Thea or Mahalia than myself. I didn't see him like that, and I think it'd be kind of wild for him to. Not because it's too soon, I mean one week in and I'm already in a bet with my boss about sleeping with him, but Brent was like a brother in this short span of time that I've known him.

"Care to elaborate?" I ask, as I tap my own against my desk.

"You'd be an idiot if you don't see the way he was this morning. The second his eyes landed in those flowers, he almost lost his shit. He might play it off, but I know a look of interest when I see it. And that sure as hell was an undressing stare."

Without meaning to, I choke on my own saliva. "You must be mistaken. He was probably just curious why someone would send me flowers. I'm sure that's what's on everyone's mind today."

Mahalia shrugs, her thumb and index finger squeezing a falling petal from a rose.

We fall back to normal conversation before making our way to the break room for a much needed lunch.

•———•

By five, I was already questioning my route home. I didn't want to have to carry the flowers a far distance to the subway and then to my apartment. I was too lazy and equally weak to even attempt something so strenuous.

"Just ask the guy for a ride," Mahalia whispers as we stand at my desk preparing to leave for the day.

I shake my head vigorously as I turn to where he stood at his desk getting ready to leave.

"Lainey, you're acting like a child. Just go ask the man to give you a ride so you aren't walking. You'll trip in the snow and break the vase. That's dangerous as it is."

I shake my head once more, being very childish about this situation. I highly doubt Brent had any feelings towards me. Even I didn't have feelings towards me. But Mahalia pushing the matter made me want to ask less and less. It was a rational idea in theory, but I didn't want to bother him with a bouquet that according to Mahalia he was already distraught over.

"I'll take a cab. It's not that difficult," I groan, preparing my body to lift something. I'm pathetically weak. What is a push up? Is that a kind of candy? I'm joking. Note my sarcasm.

"If you need a ride, Miss. Bennett," Austin interjects just as Brent makes his way to Mahalia and I, "I am more than capable of doing so. I do need to discuss my plans for the evening and I would like to slowly prepare you for the on call position."

I eyes him curiously but cut it out before Brent or Mahalia take notice.

"You have dinner with your mother at Divens tonight. That is hardly my way," I say in a forced voice so he catches on that he was being way too obvious. I'm starting to realize this man has no sense of secrecy. If anyone found out, even Mahalia or Brent, the odds would never be in our favor. I'd be highly ridiculed by my friends about my decision to go through with our arrangement, but this was risky for him too.

"Don't worry about that, Miss. Bennett. I can handle that myself. It would just be rude to let you risk the beautiful bouquet out in the cold while trying to catch yourself a cab."