What Was I Thinking? by Ellen Gragg Read Free Book Online Page B

mine.
    Humblest apologies,
    B.R.

 
    Well, crap! But I couldn’t blame him. I had

schedules too, and these things happen.

 
    Dear Bert,
    Of course I accept your apology. And a ride home would be very nice.

I’ll look forward to tomorrow night.
    Best, Addie

 
    The afternoon didn’t get any better. Campbell

was really on a tear, work was delayed because of me, and there was a lot to

do. Pete was kind, but subdued. Frank, Janice, and Molly showed varying styles

of pique. I didn’t really blame them. Their careers were on the line here too,

and Campbell wasn’t the type to restrict his sarcasm to the person he was

really mad at. It wasn’t fun for any of us, and we took no breaks.
    At six-fifteen I was trying to think of a way

to let Bert know I’d be late, and would get another ride home. It was stupid to

fear the boss so much I couldn’t make a simple phone call, or take a bathroom

break, but there you are. I was all out of brave and strong.
    At six-twenty, my problem was solved, because

Campbell slammed his laptop shut, announced that he had plans, and stomped out of the project room.
    The door shut behind him, and everybody took a

breath. Shoulders slumped all around the table, and then everyone began to pack

up.
    I had to say something. “Guys, I’m really sorry. I had a car wreck at

lunch, and completely forgot the meeting in dealing with it.” And because I had a very interesting lunch, but they didn’t need to

know everything. “I know my mistake made the whole day worse for

everyone, and I wish I could fix it.”
    There were tired smiles and nods all around,

and Frank answered. “Don’t worry about it. You know Campbell. If it’s not one

thing, it’s another. It doesn’t matter what the excuse is.”
    Janice looked a little nervous at such plain

speaking, but nodded agreement. Molly said, “Forget it,” stuck her laptop under

an arm, and left. Pete followed me to my cube.
    Well, he did deserve a bit more. “Pete, I can’t

thank you enough for this morning. I don’t know what I would have done if you

hadn’t jumped it. I just…” Damn, I was tearing up again. It was official. My

life had gone from sucky to completely disintegrated .
    “No worries, mate,” he

said, with an atrocious attempt at an Australian accent. “I was glad to help.

Campbell’s a total dick.
    “I was wondering though—I don’t know, maybe

this isn’t the best day to ask, but I’ve been trying to get up my nerve for a

while—would you like to go out? To a movie tomorrow night, or even just a quick bite tonight?”
    When it rains, it pours. When was the last time

I was asked for a date? Now that I was, I had a direct conflict. I hadn’t ever

thought of Pete as a possibility, what with his tiring exuberance, but he was

nice, even nicer than I had realized before today, and I definitely didn’t want

to hurt his feelings. And saying I had prior engagements both days would just

sound like I was blowing him off. What to say?
    Well, I’d improvise. I used to be smart, this

week’s evidence notwithstanding. If I led with a yes, instead of a not

tonight…I ran the risk of seeming too eager, but since the goal here was not so

much to get a boyfriend as to avoid hurting the feelings of a nice guy…“Yes,

I’d love to go out, but would Saturday work for you? Unfortunately, I’m busy

both tonight and tomorrow.”
    “Saturday?” He looked at me measuringly.

This first date stuff was tough all around. Had I given him the brush-off, or

did I really mean I would like to go out with him on Saturday? I smiled

encouragingly, forcing myself not to check the time. Bert was waiting, but Pete

was right here, and I owed him big.
    “Sure, Saturday would be great. We can pin down

the plans tomorrow, okay?”
    “Yeah. I’m guessing we’ll see each

other a bit tomorrow.” We both smiled. “I’d better get going…” I gestured

vaguely to the doors.
    “Me too. See ya!” and