Page 100 of Not Safe for Work

Rafe: You’re seriously killing me with that skirt. Do you have any idea how good you look hitting the ball? Promise me you’ll leave it on later when I fuck you on the dining table.

My thighs flex. Rafe and I have had sex on literally every surface of the suite. On the kitchen counters, the sofas, every chair, the floor, and the balcony in every position we could conceive. Physically, I am the happiest girl in the world. (Emotionally, I’m a kindergartner finger painting.)

Diane makes short work of her ball, sinking it in with a light tap, followed by me and then Chred again. We slide back into our carts and rumble to the next hole.

“Anyway,” Diane says, picking up our conversation. “I was very impressed. It’s rare to have someone stand out in a sea of like-minded employees. Everyone thinks the same, or pretends to, and it’s damaging to a company’s culture. We can’t be our best without different points of view. Have you given thought to where you’d like your career to go at WMC?”

I try to contain my excitement at her question. “Absolutely,” I say. “I want to follow in your footsteps. You’ve inspired me so much.”

Though her façade remains cool, I can tell she’s at least a little pleased by my fawning.

“I’m happy to hear that. I’ve nominated you for one of the training program spots.” My stomach leaps. “There’s one more person whose vote you need, but I’m confident he can be swayed.” She offers me a wink.

“Thank you,” I stammer out. “That means so much to me.” I can’t believe this. Do I actually have a chance? I’d all but abandoned WMC in my thoughts, but learning I could win a spot starts to reel me back.

“It’s not an easy road,” she says. “As a woman, you’ll have to put up with a lot of bullshit.” I huff out a breath and sink back into my seat.

“Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

Her smile is tight as we come to a stop behind Chred’s cart. The team before us is still on the tee box, so we sit back and wait.

“As a woman of color, you’ll face even more scrutiny.” I draw my eyebrows together, surprised at her bluntness. “I know people who look like me prefer not to say these things out loud, but it’s true. And I realize that’s unfair, but you can’t overcome obstacles if you don’t acknowledge the doors standing in your way.”

“How do you deal with it?” I ask. “When you’re judged for things they’d never judge a man for?”

Diane sweeps her pale blue eyes over me. “This is the way the world is, Trishara. You have to learn to pick your battles. Be a lion when it comes to business as you did with David and his son, but if you want to get where I am, you learn to smile, bear it, and look the other way when it comes to the other stuff. They’ll never respect you for that.”

Her words thud to the bottom of my heart with an echo.

“But don’t you want to make it better for the next generation? Don’t you want to change things so the women who come after you don’t have to put up with this?”

She sighs as if I’m a child who doesn’t understand. And maybe I am.

“That sounds nice in theory, but things don’t change, Trishara. You need to grow the thickest skin of all to succeed in this business.”

I hate her words and these sentiments. None of this feels right. Is she truly just resigned to all of it? I shouldn’t judge her until I’ve been in her shoes. Still, she’s recommending me for the training program, and maybe she’s wrong. Maybe I can follow in her footsteps and try to change something for the better.

Lost in my thoughts, I don’t say much else. As we near the end of the round, my phone buzzes and I assume it’s Rafe sending me another text. Instead, it’s an email from EnviroTech, the environmental start-up I applied to before I left Chicago. They want me to come in for an interview.

I read the email a few times, numb and conflicted about my next move, and then put my phone away, deciding to respond later.

When we’ve finished the round, Diane, Chred, and I shake hands and thank one another for the game before everyone heads to the clubhouse for a round of drinks. I’ve just ordered a giant glass of lemonade when I feel a hand on the small of my back.

“That was agonizing,” Rafe says before asking for a beer. “Longest day of my life. How about you?”

“It was fine,” I say, but the uncertainty in my voice is obvious.

“You okay?” he asks, and I nod.

“Just tired and hot and sweaty.” I hold the front of my white sleeveless shirt away from my body and flap the fabric, trying to stir up a little air movement. I don’t want to talk about what Diane said right now. “And some guy kept distracting me all day with his texts.”

Rafe’s grin is unapologetic as he accepts his beer, and we find a shady table on the balcony to sit.

“I could use a shower,” I say, running a finger up his forearm with an innocent look.

“Not before I have my way with you in that skirt,” he says, his voice low so no one can hear. “You promised.”

“I did no such thing,” I say as his hand finds my knee.