“Claire, we could have figured out something; I don’t want you to think I would ever look down on you or judge you, hell, I would probably do that job just for kicks.”
As she leaned over to hug Suzy, Claire said tearfully, “No more secrets then, I’m sorry Suz, and I know you’d never look down on me, you’re not made that way.”
“Ok, enough of the slobbering all over each other, tell me when you’re going to do the boss man because I’m dying to know how he is in the sack.”
With a laugh, Claire playfully swatted at her. “I’m not doing anything with him; it was all a mistake, and he appears to regret it as much as I do,” said Claire.
“Yeah right, if that was regret I saw jumping between you two last night I’ll give up leather skirts and start wearing plaid.”
“The lines between us got blurred with everything that happened this weekend and then with the accidental groping of him under the table last night. I think it’s all going to settle back down into our normal routine now and be fine though,” assured Claire.
Suzy looked at her shrewdly asking the one question Claire didn’t have an answer for, “Do you want things to settle back to normal though?”
The subject of Jason was avoided for the rest of their lunch and all too soon they were walking back to the office. Suzy asked, “Hey you want to go out one night this week for dinner?”
“Let me see how things are with mom and I’ll let you know. I need to go by there tonight and take some groceries.”
“Claire, you know that if you or your mother needs anything you can ask me right? I’ve money saved, and I would be glad to help you if you need it,” said Suzy.
Claire felt like her friendship with Suzy had turned a corner since their conversation at lunch. She hugged Suzy again and thanked her. Suzy said with her usual dramatic flair, “We’re going to have to cut this hugging shit out today, before you know it we’re going to be braiding each other’s hair and wearing matching pinky rings,” Laughter shaking her body, Claire felt pounds lighter than she had that morning with the support she’d received from Suzy.
Suddenly remembering dinner the previous night, Claire asked, “hey Suz, what did you think of Grayson last night? I thought I noticed some sparks flying over there as well,” joked Claire.
“Ugh, paleeze, in his dreams! He’s a stud, I’ll give him that, but his blood probably actually runs blue. I’ve more important things to do with my time than literally have the life sucked out of me by Mr. Uptight. I mean he probably doesn’t even own a tour t-shirt, who doesn’t have a Bon-Jovi Tour Shirt, you know?”
“Wow Suz that’s a lot of detailed protesting, sounds like Mr. Uptight hit a nerve last night. I’m sure with the advent of eBay you could buy him a Bon-Jovi Tour Shirt,” laughed Claire. With a very rude hand gesture, Suzy stalked off towards her office and Claire laughed all the way into hers.
~~~
The rest of the week continued peacefully at work. Jason called in several times a day but with him out of the office it was easier to believe that they could return to a normal working relationship. On Wednesday evening she’d splurged and took her mother and Louise for dinner. Her mother didn’t like going out much anymore; she preferred having her meal while watching her favorite TV shows. Luckily, she was having a good day, and Claire enjoyed the time with her.
The one unpleasant aspect of the week had been calling Pam to cancel for the weekend and also informing her that she would not be able to work the next weekend as well. To say Pam was upset was an understatement; livid was a more accurate word. Pam had informed her that she would be hiring someone, and rather than her normal assurance that Claire could work all the weekend parties, it would now be a matter of who Pam felt more comfortable scheduling.
Claire had a feeling that her employment with Partiez Plus would be ending soon. The overtime pay for the weekend work from Danvers should be sufficient to fill the gap until she could find another weekend job. It was possible she might have to work several part-time jobs to compensate for the loss of income but as usual, she would do what needed to be done.
Claire had promised to have a drink with Suzy after work on Friday night, and she was looking forward to hanging out with her. Just as she was finishing up for the day, Suzy glided into her office. “Hey chick, you ready to split?”
“Yes, just finishing up here,” grimacing down at her tan slacks and equally plain white blouse, Claire said, “I wish I had on something a little less…”
“Drab, dull, old lady?” injected Suzy helpfully.