He turned from the window and took a step toward her. “I did it because I want you to have a long and successful tenure at the firm. You’re going to need someone who’s able to advocate for you in these kinds of situations, and I’m here to help you when I can.” By then, he was standing over her, and she felt him place a hand on her shoulder. Kind of. His fingertips skimmed the area below her collarbone. “You should consider me a friend, albeit a friend in a high place.”
Recoiling from his touch, she suddenly knew that all of this – the Monday cold shoulder, the dressing-down on Thursday, and now this you and me against the world show – was simply part of his latest plan to get her in bed, and she wondered why she hadn’t been able to see it coming.
“We should go to lunch tomorrow,” he said, his fingertips still brushing the exposed skin above her scoop-necked shirt. “We can talk about other ways that I can help you navigate the ins and outs of the office, especially if you hope to become a partner one day. I think you and I will be able to work together really well. Don’t you think so, Maria?”
It was the sound of her name that brought her back, his words finally registering. Not in this lifetime, she suddenly thought. “I can’t go to lunch tomorrow,” she said, trying to hold her voice steady. “I already have plans.”
A flash of annoyance crossed his face. “With Jill?”
That was usually the case, and Ken of course knew that. No doubt he’d suggest that she change the plan. For her own good.
“Actually, I’m going to lunch with my boyfriend.”
She felt his hand slowly slip off her shoulder. “You have a boyfriend?”
“I told you about Colin, didn’t I? When we were at the conference?”
“No,” he answered. “You didn’t mention him.”
Sensing her chance, Maria rose from her seat and stepped away, continuing to collect documents, stuffing them into files, not caring where they ended up. She could sort them out later. “That’s strange,” she remarked. “I thought I did.”
She could tell by his plastic smile that he was trying to decide whether or not to believe her. “Tell me about him,” he said.
“He’s an MMA fighter,” she answered. “You know those guys in the cage? I think it’s crazy, but he’s really into it. He works out and trains for hours every day and he loves to fight, so I kind of feel like I have to support him.”
She could imagine the wheels in his mind continuing to turn as she hoisted her bag over her shoulder. “While I can’t meet for lunch, do you want to talk in your office tomorrow? I’m sure I can clear part of my morning or afternoon.” When there are others around, she didn’t bother adding.
“I’m not sure that’s necessary.”
“Maybe I should talk to Barney?”
He shook his head, the movement almost imperceptible. “It’s probably best to let it go for now.”
Of course you’d say that. Because this whole thing was a ruse and you never talked to Barney at all. “All right. I guess I’ll say good night, then.”
She reached the door, breathing a sigh of relief as she made her escape. The whole boyfriend thing had been inspired, but that card had now been played. It wouldn’t surprise him again; he’d be ready for it. In the long run – or maybe even in the short run – she doubted it would stop Ken’s advances, even if it had been true.
Or became true?
Still reeling from her encounter, she wondered if she wanted it to be true. All she knew for certain was that when Colin had kissed her, she’d felt something electric, and the realization was both exhilarating and frightening – at exactly the same time.