Read Online The Touch of a Woman by K.G. MacGregor - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: K.G. MacGregor
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disapproval.
“I take it you think that’s a bad idea.”
Summer sighed and shook her head. “Don’t pay any attention to me. I’m kind of a hard-ass about stuff like that.”
“About dating coworkers?” Something felt wrong about Rex asking her out, so she was interested in getting Summer’s perspective. “I’ve heard that old dog maxim…about never going to the bathroom where you eat.”
“That’s part of it, because you don’t want to end up having a bad relationship with somebody and still have to look at them every day at work. But I can see how tempting it is. That’s the number one place you meet people. Plus you already have plenty to talk about because you know all the same people. Where I have a real problem is when there’s a power differential. This Rex, he’s a big shot, right?”
She nodded.
“Suppose you tell him no. Next thing you know, he goes to your boss and complains about your work. Not because you actually did anything wrong, but because he’s an asshole, and his opinion of you is colored by the fact that you turned him down.”
“And if I say yes?”
“If you say yes, you’ll never get credit for anything you do because everybody will say, ‘Oh, she only got promoted because she’s dating Mr. Big Shot.’ And again there’s the issue of what happens if it goes south later. Awk -ward.”
The subject had definitely touched a nerve. In fact, Summer was actually putting into words some of her own reservations. Ellis knew from a few of her friends in the City about the potential for disaster, but hadn’t experienced anything like that herself.
Summer went on, “I saw it happen in our office a couple of years ago, and the woman—it’s never the man, you know—she nearly lost her job over it. She probably would have if she hadn’t hired a lawyer.” She took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose, as if she were sorry she’d brought it up. “There must be happy stories too. Whatever you told him, I’m sure it’s fine.”
“I didn’t answer one way or the other. To be honest, I was just floored. It never occurred to me someone would be interested in me that way.”
“I hope you’re kidding, Ms. Keene. Take it from a woman who appreciates attractive women. You’re a prize.”
Ellis couldn’t stop her lips from turning upward in an embarrassed grin. It was the same sort of compliment she’d been given on the phone the night before.
“I’m serious. You’re smart, you’re very pretty. And you’ve got yourself together.”
“I…thank you. That’s a first.”
“A lesbian telling you you’re pretty? I might be the first one who said it, but trust me—I’m not the first one to think it.”
She fanned herself, knowing her face was turning red. Summer’s flattery was even more open than Rex’s. “What surprises me is you thinking I’ve got myself together.”
“At least it looks that way on the outside. That’s half the battle, isn’t it?”
If Summer only knew how chaotic her life was, how hard she had to work to keep from wallowing in self-pity. How the smallest word or gesture that evoked her former life could trigger a stream of tears. She was many things but “together” was not one of them.
The turmoil seemed to pervade every aspect of her life—home, work, family and friends. If she dared forget, something would remind her. An unexpected bill, a letter from the attorneys. What’s more, it had been going on so long, she no longer considered it a disruption. It was the new normal.
“Did I say something wrong?”
Ellis had no idea how much time had passed while she ruminated on her mental state, but she knew from Summer’s look of concern that her own face had fallen. “No, not at all. I just…my battles are definitely on the inside.”
“Of course they are.” Summer reached over and took both of her hands. “You lost your husband. You left your home. I bet you lived in that house twenty
“I take it you think that’s a bad idea.”
Summer sighed and shook her head. “Don’t pay any attention to me. I’m kind of a hard-ass about stuff like that.”
“About dating coworkers?” Something felt wrong about Rex asking her out, so she was interested in getting Summer’s perspective. “I’ve heard that old dog maxim…about never going to the bathroom where you eat.”
“That’s part of it, because you don’t want to end up having a bad relationship with somebody and still have to look at them every day at work. But I can see how tempting it is. That’s the number one place you meet people. Plus you already have plenty to talk about because you know all the same people. Where I have a real problem is when there’s a power differential. This Rex, he’s a big shot, right?”
She nodded.
“Suppose you tell him no. Next thing you know, he goes to your boss and complains about your work. Not because you actually did anything wrong, but because he’s an asshole, and his opinion of you is colored by the fact that you turned him down.”
“And if I say yes?”
“If you say yes, you’ll never get credit for anything you do because everybody will say, ‘Oh, she only got promoted because she’s dating Mr. Big Shot.’ And again there’s the issue of what happens if it goes south later. Awk -ward.”
The subject had definitely touched a nerve. In fact, Summer was actually putting into words some of her own reservations. Ellis knew from a few of her friends in the City about the potential for disaster, but hadn’t experienced anything like that herself.
Summer went on, “I saw it happen in our office a couple of years ago, and the woman—it’s never the man, you know—she nearly lost her job over it. She probably would have if she hadn’t hired a lawyer.” She took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose, as if she were sorry she’d brought it up. “There must be happy stories too. Whatever you told him, I’m sure it’s fine.”
“I didn’t answer one way or the other. To be honest, I was just floored. It never occurred to me someone would be interested in me that way.”
“I hope you’re kidding, Ms. Keene. Take it from a woman who appreciates attractive women. You’re a prize.”
Ellis couldn’t stop her lips from turning upward in an embarrassed grin. It was the same sort of compliment she’d been given on the phone the night before.
“I’m serious. You’re smart, you’re very pretty. And you’ve got yourself together.”
“I…thank you. That’s a first.”
“A lesbian telling you you’re pretty? I might be the first one who said it, but trust me—I’m not the first one to think it.”
She fanned herself, knowing her face was turning red. Summer’s flattery was even more open than Rex’s. “What surprises me is you thinking I’ve got myself together.”
“At least it looks that way on the outside. That’s half the battle, isn’t it?”
If Summer only knew how chaotic her life was, how hard she had to work to keep from wallowing in self-pity. How the smallest word or gesture that evoked her former life could trigger a stream of tears. She was many things but “together” was not one of them.
The turmoil seemed to pervade every aspect of her life—home, work, family and friends. If she dared forget, something would remind her. An unexpected bill, a letter from the attorneys. What’s more, it had been going on so long, she no longer considered it a disruption. It was the new normal.
“Did I say something wrong?”
Ellis had no idea how much time had passed while she ruminated on her mental state, but she knew from Summer’s look of concern that her own face had fallen. “No, not at all. I just…my battles are definitely on the inside.”
“Of course they are.” Summer reached over and took both of her hands. “You lost your husband. You left your home. I bet you lived in that house twenty
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