Page 4 of Tempted at Midnight

In the end, I grabbed my purse, rushed out the door, and called for an Uber while waiting around the block. It was just my luck that the first time I did something wild and crazy, it went badly for me.

***

Three weeks later...

“What’s this meeting about?” I asked as I dropped into a chair between my coworkers and friends George and Leo.

“I don’t know, I never pay attention,” George said.

George had a unique ability to tune out everything around him while still looking like he was present. I had no idea how he did that.

“It’s something about the new benefits package they’re offering,” Leo said from my other side.

He was a grizzled older man who’d worked here longer than any of us. He probably should have retired years ago, but no one had the heart to push him out and force him to stare at the walls of his empty house. Leo always told us that he’d probably drop dead right here at Thomas Industries. I had a feeling that he was right. At least he’d go among friends.

“Hey guys, how is everyone today?” David Watson, one of the company vice presidents, strode to the front of the room wearing a nicely pressed suit. He was kind of a tool, the kind of guy who’d never gotten his hands dirty in his life, but we all tolerated him because he was married to George’s sister, Josie.

I didn’t bat an eye at the ‘guys’ comment. After growing up with most of these men and being the only woman on shift, everyone considered me one of the guys. Even me. Manufacturing wasn’t really a field that attracted a lot of women.

“We brought you here today because we have a presentation on our new benefits package, including some important changes to your retirement plan.”

Everyone in the room groaned, and David waved his hands placatingly. “It’s all good, I promise. Union leadership supports it as well.”

He looked up as one of the secretaries from the main office led in another guy in a suit. Something about him looked familiar. He was tall and lean, with dark blonde hair...oh crap. As he turned, I could see it was Martin, the married guy I’d slept with on New Year’s Eve. What were the chances?

I slid down in my chair, and grabbed George’s arm, pulling him towards me.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Hide me,” I whispered.

There were two great things about George. First, he was the kind of friend you could call and tell that you killed someone and he’d come over with a shovel, no questions asked. Second, he was built like a small mountain, so when he leaned in front of me, he blocked me from sight.

I slid to the floor on my knees and kept my head down as Martin talked about our retirement plan, then segwayed into a discussion about changes in our health insurance.

“And for those of you who need birth control...,” Martin stopped awkwardly, apparently noticing that everyone in the room was male.

“That would just be Lillian here,” Jimmy called out from behind me. “Why you sittin’ on the floor, Miss Lillian?”

Everyone turned in our direction and I felt my face flame, which really pissed me off because I wasn’t one who was easily embarrassed.

“Lillian?” Martin’s voice turned curious. “That’s an unusual name.”

With a deep sigh I scooted back onto my seat, elbowing George so he’d lean back onto his own side. There were ten rows of chairs between us, but I could see Martin up there, clear as day, staring at me like I was a ghost.

I tipped my chin in acknowledgement, then returned my gaze to the back of Bobby De Lacroix’s bald head in the seat in front of me.

“Martin?” David prompted.

After stuttering for a second, he picked right back up on his speech and answered questions from the assembled group, although his eyes kept moving in my direction. Even without looking directly at him, I could feel his gaze on me.

Needless to say, I didn’t ask any questions. I just wanted this meeting to end so I could get back on the line and lose myself in the monotony of my work.

When I got out of the room without seeing any more of Martin, I called it a win. Avoiding the curious looks from my friends, I headed to my station to get to work without a word.

Martin

“This shift ends at four?” I asked David with forced casualness.