Samantha
SAMANTHA
I didn’t know work could be so boring without Chandler here. I haven’t worked a day without him since I started, and it just feels… wrong. I sigh and check my work email for the tenth time today, but there are no new emails from him. It’s been 3 days since we last talked, and I’ve been worried.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so enamored with someone before. I’m not sure if the good sex, that what we’re doing could get us in trouble, or if it’s the fact that I’d been fantasizing about us fucking since I met him. Even though that quickly morphed into irritation, I’ve always found him to be sexy. It just annoyed me that he knew that. I check the work schedule, and the Work party isn’t until Friday night, so I know I’ll be seeing him soon enough.
Last I heard, his grandfather was out of the hospital and back living with his sister. He’ll be back in town tomorrow morning, just in time for the summer party. And just in time for both of us to collect a hefty ten thousand dollar check. Penny and I already went shopping for a dress, and I’m confident it will do more to Chandler than knock his socks off. Ken’s constant updates throughout the week about the party come through at least two times a day. We can choose to get a hotel room or to take a cab back to town from Miami. I’ve had to stop myself from texting Chandler and asking if he wants to get a hotel room and have me sneak in. Sure, it’d be risky, but somehow, that makes it all the more fun. Another email comes through from Ken, but this time with the words.
Urgent. Company policy reminder. In the subject line. I open the email. My heart races and my stomach tightens when I read over it.
It has come to our attention that two employees have been engaging in an inappropriate working relationship. This email is going out prior to their termination, but we wanted to remind everyone that romantic relationships with colleagues of any kind are strictly prohibited and will result in termination. If you feel that any of your colleagues have been inappropriate, please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources.
Shit! I’m so screwed! And just before, I was about to get a check large enough to get out of this place! This cannot be happening. How the hell did anyone find out? Oh god, did someone see me in Chandler's car before we left for our trip? Did they take our arguing as flirting? Did they find out about my porn mishap? I knew this was a bad idea. I wonder if Chandler has seen it yet? Before I can pick up my phone, someone opens my office door. It’s one of the accounting assistants, Fiona.
“Sam! Come quick! Angela and Everette just got caught making out in the copy room!” With that, she flees and I’m l so relieved I could cry. Angela and Everette? No fucking way. I walk out of my office and into the lobby, where our security guard, Jared, is standing in front of Angela's desk. His large arms folded across his chest. Everette awkwardly stands off to the side while Angela shoves her things into boxes.
“You were supposed to lock the door, Everette!”
“Enough, Angie,” Jared says. “Just pack your things and leave. I cannot believe you two thought it was a good idea to make out in the copy room! Everyone uses the copy room!”
“Hardly anyone ever uses the copy room!” Angie shoots back. “I am here every day, smiling and greeting people with a smile on my face like a damn robot!” She makes a face and, in a high-pitched voice, says, "How are you today? Have a great day! I hope you enjoy your lunch.’ Well, I’m tired of it! All I wanted was a little love, and because this company is so against two people who were star-crossed lovers and just wanted to be together, now I’m losing my livelihood! All because I love him! Well, we don’t have to stay in a place that doesn’t approve of two people just wanting to love each other! Isn’t that right, Everette?”
Everette cringes and scratches the back of his neck. “Uh…”
“Exactly! We don’t need you!” She grabs her box full of pictures and too many stuffed animals. It clanks when she snatches it up. Then she looks at Everette, who looks completely terrified. “Let’s go babe!”
Everett follows her outside, and we all watch them go.
“All right, everyone, parties over!” Jared shouts to the crowd that formed to witness the disaster unfold. I hold in my laughter and walk back into my office, letting out a relieved sigh. Looks like I still have a job, thank god. I'm also a bit relieved that Angela also thought she was acting robotic. I knew I wasn't crazy! I'm excited to see Chandler so I can tell him about it. Sucks that he missed all of the fun. I check the time. It’s almost time to leave to get ready, and my butterflies swarm in my stomach at the thought of seeing Chandler again. Just wait until he hears about this.
The work party is at a luxury hotel, and the owner of the company reserved an entire section of the hotel, which includes a large patio with a mini stage. String lights hang from the wood beams awning, and there’s a fire pit where some colleagues are sitting around drinking and laughing together.
A lot of people brought their spouses. I’m sitting at a table in the corner, watching them talk amongst themselves. I feel a deep ache in my chest. I miss Chandler. I haven’t heard from him since he told me about his grandpa, and I worry he might not show up. I drink my wine, and it goes down smooth and sweet. I watch my fellow employees, that I haven’t even tried to make a connection with, but I’m having a better time watching them all talk, drink, and dance. Then I see him.
Chandler is leaning against one of the posts on the patio, and he’s looking right at me. He looks so good that the sight of him makes my knees weak. He’s wearing a dark blue suit with a black tie, and it looks amazing on him. I set my wine down and stand to see he’s already walking toward me. When he reaches me, he takes my hand in his and runs his thumb along my knuckles.
“Hi Sam," he says, and his voice is so gentle and sweet. Butterflies in my stomach swarm at the the affectionate look in his eyes.
“Hi, Chandler.”
“Do you want to dance?”
I smile wide with a nod, and he leads me to the dance floor, where couples are swaying to the music. Chandler pulls me in close, and the heat that radiates off his body turns me on instantly. I’ve missed being this close to him. I’ve craved it .
“I didn’t think you’d come. You weren’t answering my messages," I whisper.
“I had some things to take care of before I came back. I’ll tell you about it later," he whispers in my ear, and I shudder at the warmth of his breath. I notice people are staring and try to put space between us, but Chandler keeps me close to him.
“It’s fine. We’re just dancing," he whispers. I look up at him and smile
“You missed the soap opera at work today,” I say.
“Oh, I heard all about it," he says. “Someone recorded it and showed it to me. Everett looks scared shitless.”
“It was much funnier in person.”
“I’m sorry I missed it," he says and twirls me around, only to pull me close again. “Sam, there’s something I need to tell you later.”
I stop moving along with him, and he stops, too. “What is it?”
There’s a loud screech, and we look to the stage where Ken is standing on a makeshift stage. I look at Chandler. “There probably going to announce us being the best freaking CPAs ever and hand us a big fat check! Come on!”
I drag him to the front row of the stage and wait for the speech to begin.