of themselves whenever they were in her presence. Even their boss, Michael Underhill, was rumored to have slept with Tina. Damita tried to keep an open mind about Tina, but when she came into the office with her tight skirts and low-cut tops, Damita had a great deal of difficulty not judging her. Now, here she was at a time when Damita felt more insecure about herself than ever before.
âSounds like my refrigerator.â
âAt least you have an excuse. You just got married. I can imagine food has been the last thing on the minds of two newlyweds. It must be nice.â
âYeah, itâs nice.â
âWhenever someone else gets married it gives me hope that Iâll have my chance one day.â
âTake your time. Itâll happen exactly when, and if, itâs supposed to. I find it fascinating how so many single people want to be married, and how many married people wish they were single again. Itâs funny how we idealize things and situations, just because itâs what we think will make us whole.â
âIâve never thought of it that way. Thanks.â
âFor what?â Damita asked.
âIâve always gotten the impression that you donât like me very much.â
âNo. No. Where on Earth did you ever get that idea?â
âYou donât have to deny it, Damita. I realize what people think of me.â
âYouâre so smart. I hate to see any woman sell herself short.â
Five seconds after the words were out of her mouth Damita realized how hypocritical it sounded. She, of all people, was not in the position to preach to anyone about selling themselves short.
âWell, it feels good to know that you consider me smart, anyway.â
âOf course I do.â
âI should get going and let you finish your shopping. It was nice seeing you.â
âIt was nice seeing you, too.â
As Tina walked away she wondered what Damitaâs story was. She had worked with her for at least three years and she always seemed so happy, especially at her wedding. Now, one week later, she was a different woman; distracted, edgy, even sad. Tina turned back and waved goodbye.
Tina said, âSee you at work.â
âIâll see you at work,â Damita responded.
Damita glanced at her watch and wondered how it was that she became the kind of person that was afraid of how long sheâd spent shopping in the supermarket. She rushed through her shopping, so she could make up for the time she lost talking to Tina.
âLook who is finally back,â Neal said, waiting at the door.
Damita sighed. âI saw one of my coworkers at the supermarket.â
âIâll bet. Whatâs his name?â
âHer name is Tina. I told you about her. The investment banker who wears the tight dresses to work.â
âAh. I do remember you talking about the fair Tina. Sheâs the blonde with the Jessica Rabbit figure. I saw her at the wedding. She was wearing a pink dress, wasnât she?â
âYeah, thatâs her. She seemed to stick in your mind.â
Neal smirked. âWhy, Damita, are you actually jealous?â
âNo, Iâm not jealous. Itâs just, how often does a man remember what a woman was wearing?â
âWhen the womanâs measurements are thirty-eight, twenty-four, thirty-six, you canât help but remember. Hell, I got married. I didnât stop being a man.â
âI guess thatâs what men do. Quantity always overrides quality.â
âIt sounds to me like youâre doing the same thing. How do you know Tina Rabbit is not possessing of quality?â
âQuality doesnât sleep with married men or just about any man who wants her.â
âWow, if that ainât the most judgmental thing Iâve ever heard, I donât know what is. One thing I will say about Tina, and women like her, is at least theyâre true to themselves and they donât feel the
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