New Year's Eve surprise, part 1.

New Year’s Eve surprise

Gracie McKenna sipped her tropical Margarita. The yellow umbrella practically poked her lip, as she contemplated the office New Year’s party. Streamers filled the room, drinks made their rounds, everyone mingled, having a grand old time. Everyone except her.

Frankly, she had grown tired of the same old office politics. Bradford sucked up to Pete, the General Manager, while Sheryl showed off her assets to any warm blooded male who showed her attention.

Her bleached blond hair, big boobs, and fake tan, along with her sultry baby blue eyes got her whatever she wished. From numerous vacations on the company’s expense account, to chemical peels and Botox. Sheryl poisoned everyone she came into contact with, including Gracie, herself.

If it hadn’t been for her boss, Evan Pierce, Gracie would have thrown in the towel long ago, and resigned.

Gracie sighed, meandering over to the copier, pretending to push the buttons. Evan Pierce had always been a true friend. From college to her very first apartment, and subsequent break up between her and her boyfriend Steve, last year, he had been there for her.

Despite Sheryl’s manipulations, Gracie still had a job. But, of course that was water under the bridge. Or was it?

A tap on her shoulder, brought Gracie out of her contemplation. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the one person that would always make her heart clench in desperation and despair. Why hadn’t she realized how she had felt before now?
“Evan.”

His mouth kicked up in that one sided grin of his. His brown polo shirt fit him like a second skin. Evan’s tan blazer had two buttons, the bottom one fastened, and he had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

As her eyes traveled further, she noticed he still wore his black suit paints with black patent leather, wing tipped shoes. It was as if he never liked to change. He always wore the same drab colors. In that they were opposite.

“Gracie. I see you decided to come after all.”

As Gracie had assessed him, Evan took the opportunity to look his fill. She had quite changed from the awkward lady he first met in college. From frumpy sweat shirts to the tight fitting clothes she wore today. With her multi colored blouse, with ruffles on the neck, her usual navy blue blazers tucked close to her breasts. The only noticeable sight of daring on her monochromatic, A-line skirt was the long slit on her right thigh. And of course, there were her red stiletto heels that showed off her calves to perfection.

Gracie shrugged. “I found that I had nothing else to do.”

Evan laughed, shaking his shoulders. He had always had the gregarious kind of chuckle that shook his 6 foot 2 muscular frame. And, sometimes, when she went home at night, her fantasies would go into overdrive. Not that she would admit that to him.
“You are a riot this evening. And, here I was going to invite Steven to come by instead.”

Her shoulders stiffened. “Well, maybe you should have.”

His eyes turned soft, as he rubbed his palm along her arm. “I’m sorry Gracie. I was only kidding.”

She hated when he did that. Being all apologetic and sexy. God, she hated that she thought, that she could be one of those women. One that drooled over their boss, and never could face them the next day in the board room.

Most of all, she hated that she brought up Steven’s name. He knew that they had a nasty break up last year. And, that she had already broken one of the cardinal rules: Never date a co-worker. Well, she would never do it again, as long as she lived.
“Evan, what brings you along this way?”

“I just wanted to see how you were holding up. I know that this past year has been slightly tough on you. It had been rather difficult, deciding who would go.”

“That was my fault, and no one else. I never should have put you in that position to begin with. I dated someone at work and I got burned. I’m sorry, I had to make you choose. It was unfair, not to mention unprofessional.”

“Don’t you dare beat yourself up for that. We both had no idea how far Steven would go. He crossed the line. In the end, I made the best decision. You are a very hard worker Gracie. And, the top Sales Vice President. Your deal over last year, made us practically millionaires. If I had to choose all over again, I would choose you to stay in a heart beat.”

“But, what about what Sheryl said?”

“Don’t mind her, Gracie. She’s unimportant to me. I know her type. And, I don’t fall for her tricks. If she doesn’t clean up her act soon, I will have no choice but to let her go.”

“So, you know?”

“Who doesn’t? If it weren’t for Paul, and his slick politics…
Well, she would have been gone a lot sooner. But, I had no proof of anything illegal, so she stayed.”

“But, you have proof now?” Gracie inquired, brow raised.

“Not exactly. But, I hope to.”

Gracie watched as Evan rubbed the back of his neck. Every time he did that, his muscles stretched and bunched. And, her mouth went dry. His black hair combined with his emerald green eyes always put shivers down her spine.
Blast it! Why couldn’t she stop thinking of him?

Evan watched as Gracie worried her bottom lip. That plump mouth of hers, seemed to be doing strange things to him this evening. Every time she spoke, he had to grit his teeth to hold back the true things he wished to say to her.

He had known how much Steven had hurt and misled her. And, how she wished to steer clear of office romances. That had been why he hadn’t revealed any of his secret desires.

Instead he had to suffer while he saw her strut around in the office, bending over to file paperwork, or grinding coffee beans which oddly did permanent damage to his Jockey shorts. Now, he had to stare at her mouth, her inviting chocolate brown eyes, and try hard not to grab her and take her to the nearest desk.

Gracie swallowed, sensing the new tension behind his eyes. The place seemed to be getting way too hot. And, she had to get out of there.
“Excuse me. I need a drink!”

Evan shook his head as he watched her scramble away from him. Would this evening of torture never end?

Gather Writing Essentials, Wednesday. Short story for your enjoyment. Part 2, hopefully coming soon.