Breathe. Just breathe.

My heart was beating out of my chest. It seemed I could hear my pulse. I bit my lip, somewhat ashamed. I struggled to keep a neutral face, and keep my breathing even. Even though no one knew (I hoped) it was still ridiculous that they had such an effect on me. I had heard him come into the room, and simply knowing he was in the same room was enough to make me quiver. My face felt flushed, even though I knew there was no outward sign. Luckily for me, I wasn't cursed with obvious blushing when I became flustered.

Just turn and say hi and-

"Excuse me, darlin'."

I jumped. I turned and looked up at the tall figure beside me, who was laughing with his deep, throaty chuckle."You awake? Sorry, didn't mean to scare you!" He patted my shoulder, barely an effort to lift his arm, due to his height. His large hand was warm, and felt as though it was still there well after he had moved to get his coffee.
"I'm fine, Rhett. Just daydreaming a little this morning!" I smiled and managed a giggle. I turned from the counter with my mug, offering the creamer to him before I put in back in the fridge. He thanked me and smiled, his big, green eyes twinkling. I winked, getting myself together.

It was pretty common for me to flirt in the office. It came naturally to me. I didn't always mean it, but when it came to Rhett and Link, I had to hold back so that they wouldnt know I did.
Ever since I had joined the company, I'd hit it off with pretty much everyone. There was never much drama. Every now and then, someone would get irritable while we were shooting or brainstorming, but whoever it was would always be considerate and apologize after they'd cooled off. It was what I loved the most about working here. We had fun, and though we worked hard, we made sure that it never got to a point that we were hating it. When it came to my bosses... my complaints were nonexistent. I'd had bosses that were great, and even some that were attractive to me before, but never like this.
The first day I came to the office to interview, there was electricity in the room. Their smiles were infectious, and they had a way of putting me at ease. Link did most of the talking, and Rhett would ask me a question here and there. Both were polite and kind, and I knew I would love working for them. Little did I know how much.
it really began when I started getting to know them. I tend to be shy when I don't know people well, but once I get the feel of a place, I can adapt. The constant laughter and joking were amazing, and I was delighted to find that the majority of the crew, including Rhett and Link, shared my sense of humor. It was nothing to drop an innuendo here and there, and laugh it off. Soon, after a few months, I felt like part of the family.
The real flirtation began when one day after shooting, I had gone to change clothes, because I had a date that night. I emerged in a fitted, knee length, black sheath dress. My red lipstick matched my red heels, and I felt like a pinup. My curls were framing my face, and bounced subtly as I walked. I sauntered into the break room to grab my purse.
"Whoa."
Rhett, Link, Chase, and Jen were seated at the table in the back. They were all looking at me appreciatively.
"Desiree! You look amazing!" Jen exclaimed. I beamed and smiled humbly. i felt Link and Rhett's eyes look me up and down, heat hitting me in all the right places.
"You're going to make him pass out, dressed like that." Rhett smiled.
"Desi makes ME dizzy, dressed like that!" Link joked. His flirting made me feel even warmer.
I've been dubbed "Desi" or "Dizzy" ever since. And I have never gotten rid of that flush of pleasure each time I see them. It drives me wild.

"Dizzy, you ready?" As I exited the break room with my coffee, Link was coming up the hall. His blue eyes and boyish grin made my breathing hitch, for a second time that morning.
"I don't really go for mediums and psychics, but I'll try to keep an open mind. You aren't afraid to share anything with EVERYONE, are you?" I gave him my best coy smile.
He laughed and replied, "We will see, won't we? It'll be interesting. Go see Stevie. She needs help with the setup."
I put two fingers up in a mock salute, and set off down towards the set. I could still feel my heart beating a little quicker, smiling as I engaged in some inappropriate thoughts. A girl could get a workout just coming to work, with how high my heart rate must be right now.
Stevie waved me over as I walked in to the studio. She was standing behind the cameras, looking at the set. I hugged her good morning as she asked, "What do you think? You have an eye for these things."
My eyes grazed over the table, draped in a purple cloth, an orb sitting in the middle of it. The lighting was dim. It needed something.
"Needs some twinkle lights in the background."
Stevie smiled. "That's it! Go get them out of storage, will you? We are almost ready."
The rest of the crew was already in place, double checking equipment, goofing around. I quickly taped up the lights and made the camera adjustments, and we were ready to go.
Link and Rhett walked in, dressed as gypsies. Rhett's red headscarf and gold hoop earrings made him look more like a pirate, to me. Link was a little more appropriate, with a deep maroon shawl over his head and bangles on his wrists. They were accompanied by our guest for this episode of Good Mythical Morning. Her short and stout stature was adorable. She looked like someone's hippie grandma: friendly, a bit eclectic, with wild gray hair. She gave off an energy that was instantly likable.
"Hello, everyone! So happy to be here! Nice to meet you!" her voice was gravely and low, like that of someone who had smoked for a number of years. Rhett guided her to the table, and they sat on either side of her. Stevie counted down, and we began.

"We are gonna get our fortunes told!"
"Let's talk about that."

The psychic's name was Deborah. Her laugh was more of a cackle, which was oddly charming, in a way. She answered Rhett and Link's questions easily, despite their confusing way of phrasing things.
"So when you read people, do you like, see images or feel stuff, or do you just guess? Is there a science to it?" Link asked. He adjusted the bangles on his wrist.
"It's a bit of everything!" She laughed. "Images, feelings, assumptions. There is a lot of observing involved in palm reading."
Rhett couldn't wait to get his fortune told. When Deborah began tracing his palm, he couldn't suppress a giggle. I smiled from my seat, wishing I could be up there sitting next to him and holding his hand.
She sounded like any other "psychic" I had heard on tv or radio. A lot of general stuff that could apply to anyone. Of course, Rhett played it up for the camera. Link's was more of the same. They went on to discuss the history of psychics and mediums, random facts, all very interesting. It was an enjoyable conversation to witness.
"Well, thank you, Deborah, for being here today. Join us for Good Mythical More, where Deborah reads some of the crew and REVEALS THEIR SECRETS." Link chuckled.

After they did their improv with the Wheel of Mythicality, the crew, including myself, stepped on to the set. I seated myself on the chair behind Rhett, looking unassuming as possible. I wasn't a big fan of mediums and the supernatural dabbling of some people. It kind of freaked me out. I crossed my arms and snuggled inside my GMM hoodie, pulling my legs up in a pretzel in the seat. The rest of the crew had their palms read, one by one. We all laughed as Chase asked Deborah if there was some pretty lady in his future.
"You have a lot of pretty ladies in your future, AND present! One in particular will suit you. She will be drawn to your good humor. You have an affinity for games, and she will also find that intriguing. You are friendly, kind, and gentle." Deborah raised her eyebrow, and Chase grinned.

Eh. Obvious. Another easy and generic reading.

"Desi, why don't you go next?" Rhett urged me, his smile glinting.

Ugh. Ok. I can do this.

I plastered a smile on my face, but my hesitancy must have still shown, because Deborah encouraged me, "I won't bite you, honey. I promise."
My sheepish grin drew some laughs. As I sat, Deborah took my hand. As she had with everyone else, she began telling me about myself.
"You have a lovely spirit. A fun loving soul. But... Oh."
The "but" took everyone by surprise. I raised an eyebrow, starting to feel nervous. The old woman closed her eyes, as if searching for something out of her sight.
"Oh. You have a... Darkness in you, don't you, Desiree?"
I felt everyone looking at me. What on earth was this woman talking about? Darkness in me? Yeah, right.
"You have urges... Desires... Particularly at work...Perhaps unwelcome. And they frighten you. Though you think you have them under control." My eyes grew wide and I pulled my hand away from her. Everyone was staring at how visibly shaken I was, though I didn't care. my sudden movement seemed to snap the fortune teller out of it.
"Oh! I'm sorry, dear! The aura was just so STRONG. I just get swept away, when they are like that-"
I pulled away from the table and stood. "Excuse me." I turned and tried not to run out down the hall, but I'm afraid that I only managed to slow to a jog. I had to get out of there. That was too much. Too accurate. Too close. My hands were shaking; I grabbed a glass from the cupboard in the break room and poured myself some water. My throat felt thick and dry.

How could she know? How could she get that from me? Oh God, everyone's faces...

I went and sat at my desk, pretending nothing had happened. Once I had been certain that Deborah was gone, I'd gone in to help clean up and get things ready for editing. No one said anything to me. It felt awkward and weird. The tension in the room was palpable.
"Desiree." Link stood near the door, looking quite serious. "Our office, please."

Oh shit. Oh shit.