We finish our lunch, talking and laughing. Then, at Tad’s chipper suggestion, we agree that a cup of coffee sounds like a fine idea. When the check arrives, Richard gets it, saying he’ll expense it.
“Since we talked so much shop?” I say.
“Righto,” Richard says.
I smile, feeling both relaxed and excited, the mark of a good date. Which this is shaping up to be. And although I don’t recognize it until later that day, after Richard and I have strolled back to the office together and I’ve hunkered down to read a revised manuscript, it is the first time in a very long time that I am thinking about a man other than Ben.
* * *
thirteen
Over the next four workdays, Richard and I exchange about thirty e-mails a day. It’s all disguised as friendly banter, but the sheer volume of traffic suggests otherwise.
At one point, when Michael comes into my office, he catches me laughing at the computer. He darts around my desk, and takes instant note of my in-box filled with Richard Margo’s name. There are at least ten in a row.
“Busted,” he says.
“Whatever,” I say, but my goofy grin suggests that I am, indeed, busted.
“What the fuck’s going on here?”
I minimize my in-box and work hard at ridding my face of the guilty smile I can still feel straining at the corners of my mouth.
“Are you schtupping my boss?”
“No,” I say with pretend indignation.
Ding ! My e-mail notifler rings loudly.
“Is it from him?” Michael demands.
I can’t resist checking. It is. Which Michael sees over my shoulder.
“Holy shit. You’re so schtupping my boss!”
“There’s no schtupping going on,” I say.
Yet.
“Now. Can I have some privacy, please?” I say.
When Michael leaves, shaking his head, I read the latest from Richard.
I type back, “Yes.” Then backspace and type, “Would love to” before clicking send.
I reread the entire exchange, beginning with another one of his weak attempts at a legitimate business purpose.
From: Richard Margo
Sent: July 27,9:30 a.m.
To: Claudia Parr
Subject: Timothy Lynde
Timothy Lynde just rang. He’s interested in paying to take himself on the road for a book tour I think it’s worth it. Any ideas on what markets might work best for him? Let me know what you think By the way, did I tell you I had a nice time at lunch the other day? Thanks for joining me.
From: Claudia Parr
Sent: July 27,9:33 a.m.
To: Richard Margo
Subject: Re:Timothy Lynde
I’ll think about cities and touch base with Tim. He’s a Mormon so Salt Lake’s probably a safe bet As for lunch, yes, you mentioned that I had a lovely time, too.
From: Richard Margo
Sent: July 27, 9:38 a.m.
To: Claudia Parr
Subject: Mormons
A Mormon, huh? I went out with a Mormon once It didn’t go so well.
From: Claudia Parr
Sent: July 27,9:44 a.m.
To: Richard Margo
Subject: Re: Mormons
Did she try to convert you?
From: Richard Margo
Sent: July 27,9:50 a.m.
To: Claudia Parr
Subject: Re: Mormons
No, I slept with her and she was excommunicated It wasn’t good.
From: Claudia Parr
Sent: July 27,9:55 a.m.
To: Richard Margo
Subject: Re: Mormons
Shame on you. When did this happen?
From: Richard Margo
Sent: July 27, 9:58 A.M.
To: Claudia Parr
Subject: I’m old
High school.The 70s. What are you, Class of 2000?
From: Claudia Parr
Sent: July 27, 10:00 a.m.
To: Richard Margo
Subject: And you’re funny, too
Ha ha.
From: Richard Margo
Sent: July 27, 10:03 A.M.
To: Claudia Parr
Subject: You
I bet you were cute in high school.
From: Claudia Parr
Sent: July 27, 10:08 a m.
To: Richard Margo
Subject: Nope
I so wasn’t. I was spectacularly lame.
From: Richard Margo
Sent: July 27, 10:08 a.m.
To: Claudia Parr
Subject: Re Nope
I bet I was lamer
From: Claudia Parr
Sent: July 27, 10:10 a.m.
To: Richard Margo
Subject: Re Nope
You were corrupting hot Mormon chicks. I was student body treasurer Top that.
From: Richard Margo
Sent: July 27, 10:19 am.
To: Claudia Parr
Subject: Re: Nope
Well, I was the school mascot and who said she was hot?
From: Claudia Parr
Sent: July 27, 10:25 a.m.
To: Richard Margo
Subject: Yeah, right
Something tells me that she was hot.
From: Richard Margo
Sent: July 27, 10:26 a.m.
To: Claudia Parr
Subject: I was a stud
Okay. I wasn’t really the school mascot. And she actually was pretty hot A dead ringer for Marcia Brady. Which, at the time, was a big deal. Have I impressed you yet?
From: Claudia Parr
Sent: July 27, 10:44 a.m.
To: Richard Margo
Subject: Re: I was a stud
Man, you are ancient. Yes, I’m impressed My boyfriend was more like Screech on Saved by the Bell
From: Richard Margo
Sent: July 27, 10:49 a.m.
To: Claudia Parr
Subject: Still a stud
I know the show, but you lost me on Screech? I was a big X-Files fan, though. Wasn’t that during your high school days?
From: Claudia Parr
Sent: July 27, I 1:01 a.m.
To: Richard Margo