Chapter 1

I'm constantly being referred to as a procrastinator. I choose to avoid an issue for as long as humanly possible in the hope that the problem will disappear. Unfortunately this has never happened. In my experience evading an issue, for the most part, just made it worse and the problem never went away.
There were a lot of things that I had been avoiding. For starters I had avoided all conversation about Mason and me, specifically our stagnant relationship, much to Daisy's dismay. She was the single, biggest gossiper that I knew. Her view on relationships was that all women were part of a sisterhood and were entitled to know all the sordid details of each other's personal lives. The fact that she had no qualms sharing the explicit details of her own conquests with anyone that would listen, didn't help. Roxy had also let her curiosity get the better of her and had also resorted to interrogating both Mason and I for details.

There were also a few other issues I was yet to face.

It had been eight weeks since the night I had ushered my dad into his afterlife and ended the evening under a hotted up 1980 model Honda Civic.

Scott Jacobs, had been the unharmed passenger of the vehicle and he had taken it upon himself to be her knight in shining armour, doting over her and tending to her forged injuries. Scott was lucky to be part of the team along with Millie at Happy Time temporary services and they occupied the cubicle farm on the fourth floor. He also happened to be one of Delores's favourite temps, and had taken to using underhand tactics to try and win Millie's heart.

George sat at her desk staring at her new computer and watched as the cursor flashed idly. She was early, again. Due to her 'breaking' her leg and being unable to drive her car, George had taken up Scott's offer to carpool to work of a morning. She was pulled out of her reverie by the thud of files landing on her desk in front of her. She sat with a jolt and turned toward the intruder.

"Oh Millie, I am so glad you have decided to show so much initiative at work. I see Scott's work ethics are rubbing off on you." George followed Dolores's line of sight to the copier room where Scott was standing. Delores's face grew wide, as a comical smile spread across her mouth and shot a thumbs-up through the door. "He is such a great boy; so enthusiastic and eager to please. You know Millie, I think he has his eye on you," Delores looked back down to George and smiled. "I know I've informed you on my views of inter-office relationships and you have thankfully heeded my advice...unlike Missy...But he really is a sweet kid, he always has been, ever since he was a little boy."

Oh, did I neglect to mention Scott was more that part of the close knit Happy Time family, he was kin. Delores's nephew no less and this wasn't the first awkward match making conversation I had been subject to. Apparently dear old Delores had promised her dying sister she would do everything in her power to make sure Scott was cared for and helped throughout his life, it seemed that promise had a matchmaking clause.

"Mmm I bet he was sweet, and thanks for the new computer Delores. The higher powers granted us a little funding?"

Delores scanned the room quickly and bent in closer to George, close enough for her to distinguish the rather potent aroma that radiated from Delores. It was as if she had bathed in the ghastly perfume.

"Shhh not everyone was able to receive such generous upgrades. I did pull a few strings for my favourite employees to receive a little bit extra, and of course as a little incentive for you to keep up the good work." Delores smiled and patted George on the shoulder.

Great a bribe, no doubt to get me to reconsider my constant rebuffing of Scott's advances.

"Gee thanks Delores," George replied through clenched teeth, a fake smile plastered across her face. "I hate to ask, but I need a favour..." she continued hesitantly.

Delores peered down at George her pert and sunny disposition dropped from her face as a concerned frown began to etched into her brow. "Oh Millie, I know that tone. You need to leave early don't you? This is only a half day for you, can't it wait till after twelve?"

"It's just I get my cast off today and..."

Delores's eyebrows relaxed. "Oh, well in that case. Oh dear, I'm afraid I need Scott in the office today; we have a fresh batch of newbies starting today that need mentoring."

"There's no need I have a friend picking me up."

"Oh it wouldn't happen to be that charming elder gentleman that has been in a few times, Ruben?"

"Rube? No, it's Mason, the English one."

"Oh, the ex-boyfriend, is that him?" Delores paused momentarily and the concerned look flashed across her face once more. "He still is an ex- isn't he?"

Mason the ex-boyfriend, 'ex' being the emphasised syllable although loosely affiliated. There never was a proper breakup, more a parting of ways. Another issue I had put off, we had yet to discuss the situation. As big of a procrastinator as I was, Mason seemed to match me, proverbially speaking, we both were quite adept at ignoring the bright pink elephant tap-dancing in the middle of the room...

"Mmm, he's been looking after my car and said he would drive me to the hospital."

"Very well then." Delores turned to leave. "Oh before I forget, we're having our first ever annual black tie dinner. It's a big formal event; a charity dinner. I really want to send the proceeds to my sponsor kids in Africa. I can put you down as a yes? Partners are welcome of course; however, since you are single I think you could be open to the idea of taking Scott? He really seems interested in you and since he hasn't been here very long, he doesn't know many people..."

First ever annual, how can something be annual if it's the first.

Before George had the chance to answer, Delores had sashayed back toward her desk. George glanced at the files that had left on her desk, she thumbed through the top few and sighed with disdain. She hated her job and had grown tired of Millie, she really had become a sickening kiss ass. George could think of nothing worse than spending an entire evening with Scott on a date, let alone a formal dinner; theoretically Millie was perfectly suited for him. Maybe if she agreed to the date Delores would ease up a bit and lighten the work load.

George was also proficient at procrastinating in other aspects of her life; she was able to make herself look busy without actually doing any work. She was on her fifth game of solitaire when Mason had reached over her and pointed at the screen.

"If you move that three you can get rid of those cards."

George turned to face Mason who now leaned against the cubicle wall. His arms were folded loosely across his chest, a crooked smile hung from his lips.

"Is this all you do, why didn't you tell me? I'm really good at solitaire." Mason chuckled as he stood and held out a hand to help George stand. "You ready? Time to get that cast off."

George smiled, stood up and grabbed the crutches beside her, Mason laughed. "C'mon you cripple."