Yellow #2
“Yup. She was new at the time, and well, I figured I’d do a little community service.
Right, boys?” The group started laughing with him, all of them finding his disgusting behavior humorous.
Clearly, this man had no shame since he continued, “It didn’t take much to get her into my bed and have her screaming my name.
She was too needy for my taste, ya know?
Besides, I'm sure everyone around the neighborhood has had a ride.” Another round of laughs.
No one stood up for her or called him out on his toxic behavior.
I tilted my chin down and started to slowly laugh. This fucker didn’t know the first thing about her or where she came from.
“Oh man, you’ve really fucked up. Here’s some advice for you, Paul.
” I grabbed his hand and threw it off my shoulder as I tried to keep my temper under control.
“First off, you’re a disgusting pig and should learn some fucking manners.
Second, a woman is more than what she looks like.
She’s her intelligence, her courage, her heart.
My guess is you’re a sleazeball who doesn’t ever do their job, and she doesn’t give you the time of day because, bud let’s face it, you’re so out of her league it’s not even funny. ”
“What the hell, man? What the fuck did I do to you?” Shooting an accusatory glance at me, his voice rose and drew attention to those closest to us.
“Don’t ever let me hear Allie’s name out of your mouth again, or we’re going to have a problem, understand? That beautiful and insanely brilliant woman deserves any opportunities she gets, and I’ll make sure you’re not someone who’s in her way. Got it?”
“Dude, who the fuck even are you? If you want the fat chick, then she’s all yours. No pussy is that good.”
The shred of control I had on my anger snapped. I lunged forward, crowding his space, my glasses slipping down my face, and was about to draw my fist back, not caring if I was making a scene, when I inhaled the calming scent of coconut and felt a tug on my arm.
“Spencer, no. They aren’t worth it. He isn’t worth it. Let's go.” I looked over to her, letting her scent and presence calm me. I nodded my head and let her pull me away to a table at the back, away from people.
“Paul, seriously? Grow the fuck up. I’ll see you Monday morning with HR.” Allie looked down her nose at him before she steered us away from the group, and I tried to regain control of my temper.
“Are you okay?” She rubbed my face and adjusted my glasses. I took a deep breath. “You were about to lose your cool there, huh, lover boy?” Her low chuckle sent another wave of peace over my frayed nerves. I took a few more deep breaths for good measure.
“Yeah, I’m good. I don’t know what came over me.
I haven’t gotten that worked up in a long time, but the way they were talking made me snap.
They’re pigs. Actually, no. That’s an insult to pigs.
They’re—I can’t even think of what they are, but they’re horrible.
” Running my hand through my hair, loosening some of the gelled back curls, I’m sure I looked more disheveled.
“Yeah, they aren’t good people, and I wish they’d get fired already, but you know how that process goes. Pretty sure he’s related to someone higher up.”
“Do they act like this to your face? Is this normal?" My back molars ground against each other.
“Not directly, but underhanded comments are made, yes. Paul undermines me any chance he can and always questions the decisions I make. Since we’re back more at home than in the office, it’s easier to deal with him via email.
” She rolled her eyes and went on. “I’ll be reporting him to HR, don't worry.”
“Well, I hope they get what’s coming to them. Pricks. I hope you didn’t hear much of the conversation.”
“Pricks they are, and no, not all of it. I glanced over and saw you, and I knew nothing good would happen. I only caught the tail end of it.”
“Good, you didn’t need to hear it.”
“Spencer, I’m a big girl and can handle things. You also don’t get to tell me what I did and didn’t need to hear, even if it comes from a place of caring.” She patted my hand and gave a weak smile, “I can take care of myself, I promise.”
Closing the small gap between us, I ran my hand along her cheek, feeling her soft skin, and then moved it to wrap around the back of her neck, pulling her flush against me.
“I’m fully aware at this point that you can do anything and everything on your own, sweetheart, and that you don’t need me to help with a damn thing.
But I want to because you’re important to me and you deserve someone who wants to be there and support you through all of it.
” Her lips popped open in a little gasp, and her eyes went wide.
“It isn’t easy for me to let people help me.” She looked into my eyes, into my very soul, and whatever she landed on settled something in her eyes, “but for you I would try… I want to try my best, Spencer.”
The string quartet started playing their version of “Yellow” by Coldplay. I took Allie’s hand and brought it to my lips, placing a gentle kiss. “May I have this dance?” The song was beautiful, and I wanted to take this as a chance to move on with our night and have fun.
“I’d be honored.” She gave a dramatic curtsey and laughed as I pulled her behind me and led her to the dance floor, where others had already gathered.
Everyone was doing their own version of a slow dance to the song, some swaying, some actually doing a ballroom dance.
I took her hand in mine, wrapped the other around her waist, and began to move us in a gentle circle.
She was stunning under the lights that hung above us, making her eyes shine a brighter green and the flecks of gold glimmer.
“I’m really glad I met you, and we got to be here together, Spencer.”
“I’m glad I met you, too, Allie. You healed a jagged part of my heart that I didn’t know still needed healing.
” I twirled her out and then back into my chest, cradling both arms around her, keeping her back flush to me.
I leaned down and whispered against the shell of her ear, “You’ve made me feel more than anyone ever has.
You make me feel alive.” I could feel the goosebumps break out against her shoulders as she tilted her head back slightly.
“Spence.” My name was barely above a whisper. I turned her back around to face me, cupping her face. I leaned in and placed a whisper of a kiss against her lips as the music started to change into another song rendition.
“I know, pretty girl, I know. Come on, let's have a good rest of the night.” I swept her into another twirl as we continued to dance. Every part of me wanted to tell her I loved her, but I didn’t want the first time I told her those three special words to be at a work function.
I’d bide my time till tonight when we were alone at her house.
The rest of the evening had been uneventful but fun.
Allie introduced me to her friend Rachel, who asked if I had any single brothers.
How about fuck no. She also introduced me to a few other coworkers and some of the people on her team as well.
They all seemed very nice and spoke so highly of her.
It made my heart swell with pride, and all the work she did to get to where she was was paying off.
She was determined, and I hoped that fire never died.
After a while, the DJ came back on and played lots of throwbacks and more upbeat songs for everyone to dance to.
We jumped around like we were back in high school, singing at the top of our lungs with the group that formed, and had a blast. It was a little after ten when we decided to call it a night and head back home.
Allie was practically dead on her feet, and I wasn’t far behind.
Since it was so late and there was no traffic on the interstate, we got back to her place pretty quickly.
We headed to her bedroom, turning on the small lamps she had on her bedside tables.
“God, after so long heels just hurt. How do people wear these all the time?” she huffed out as she tried to balance on one foot against the bed, but kept falling over. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Sit down before you hurt yourself and let me help.”
She plopped down onto the bed, leaned back on her elbows, and lifted her foot to my chest. Unbuckling the first heel, I slowly slid it off, dropping it to the floor next to me. I gently pushed into the arch of her foot as a small moan escaped through her lips.
“Oh, that feels amazing.” She let her head fall back, her curls cascading down her back as I massaged the sore spots.
I gently let her leg down and grabbed the other to repeat the process.
Her dress had slid up toward her stomach, the slit in it exposing more of her thigh and tattoo.
I don’t think I would ever get over how beautiful she was, and how incredibly lucky I was to have her.
I grabbed both of her hands and helped her stand.
I knew if she didn’t get undressed and take at least her makeup off, she would regret it tomorrow morning. “Spin around, sweetheart.”