All the girls sat at the table as they ate lunch and chatted about the upcoming week. Kassie scrolled on her phone, not making much conversations, and Jessica noticed it. "What is on your mind, Kass?" Jessica asked, and Kassie closed down her phone.
"Um, I am searching for a dress."
"For what?" Jennifer asked, "I could always go shopping."
"Yeah that sounds like fun" Amanda chimed in
"Mark invited me to his cousin's wedding," Kassie said as she pushed some hair away from her face.
"Oh, so your meeting family... That is serious," Jennifer said, and all the girls nodded their heads.
"Yeah, that is what I said too, but he says he really wants me to be his "Plus One."
"Well, I am free on Friday night. How about we make it a girls night and get some dinner and you a dress." Jessica said, making a good suggestion.
"That works for me," Kassie said with a smile, and then other girls all started to agree Friday sounded like a good idea.
"Awesome, I could use some girl time" Jennifer agreed and then started to open up about the dating/ party scene. They finished their lunch and slowly began to get their items together and get back to their desks.
"Kassie, I need to see you," Glen called from his office door as Kassie was getting ready to sit down in her seat. She walked past Mark's office, and he watched as she walked into Glen's office. "Close the door," He said, and she did and took a seat across from him. She didn't say a word and just looked at him. She was not nervous or anything like that which was making her second guess her self. "Do you know the research for group B?"
"I proofread the paper. I could not tell you if the research is correct."
"Amber can't give the presentation tomorrow. I need you to sell the research for group B."
"No one else from the group wants to do the presentation?"
"It's not that. I need the group to be strong and look like they have their stuff together like your group."
"Yes Sir," She said and ran her hands against her legs.
"Are you okay with it?" Glen asked
"Yes"
"Its nothing that you can't do? Is it?" He asked and handed her the stake of paperwork from group B.
"I can do it, Sir," She said and pushed her lips together.
"So, on a personal note. I heard your heading to Wrestlemania with Mark."
"Yes, he invited me."
"Nice, Crystal will be there. It is a different event. Did Mark get you some more wrestling attire?"
"No," She said, unsure if she should have really said that.
"Ah, he is slacking," Glen laughed, and Kassie smiled.
"Thank you for doing this. I know it is short notice. Use the conference room to go over the presentation if you wish."
"Thank you," She said and stood up and left Glen's office and looked over at Mark as she walked over to her desk.
"What was that about?" Jessica asked, and Kassie just looked at her.
"I need you to sit through this speech," She said softly, and Kassie flashed her the paperwork for Group B.
"That is not your group."
"Yeah, I know" She paused "Glen just asked me to do their presentation."
"Oh, Kassie, this could be a mess. What is the research that is wrong?"
"I have less than 24 hours to get it in shape."
"Let's go," Jessica said and turned around and sent out an SOS to the girls, and they grabbed their laptops and headed over to the conference room.
Mark looked at the girls noticing that there was a lot of movement. The conference room door closed, and Mark got up and walked over to Glen's office. "What is all that about?"
"Hm," Glen asked Mark as he looked up at him. "What is what about?" and Mark leaned his head and crossed his arm. "Close the door." Mark did what he said and stood at the door. "Group B can't do the presentation tomorrow, and I asked Kassie to step in."
"She has no idea about those facts," Mark said to Glen a bit irritated.
"Yes, and I believe that some of the groups B's information is incorrect, and she will find it."
"You putting her in that position because Mr. Smith will take the information better from Kassie." He paused, "You using her."
"I am putting the best team on it. Group B will not make him say yes." He paused, "I need him to say yes to this."
"Glen, stop you know she hates being use, and you just asked her to use her self to get what you want."
"Yes, and she didn't have an issue taking one for the team," Glen said to Mark and was about to start a really big fight.
"I am going to be there during the presentation."
"No," Glen paused. "Your not part of team B, and showing up will not make anything better."
"You have no choice. You asked her to take one for the team, and guess what I am asking you?" Mark said, and the room was silent. He opened the door and walked out into his office and closed the door.
It was quitting time, and the girls started to clean up. They believed that they figured out all the wrong facts in the report and had it down pat. Kassie grabbed one of the big note pad board to take home with her since she would have to get it all prepared tonight. She opened the conference room to see that the office was pretty empty. Mark light was on, but the door was closed. Kassie knocked on the door and slowly opened it. Mark looked up at her.
"Hey, I am out of here for tonight."
"What's the board for?"
"I have the presentation tomorrow. I need to make it up tonight." Mark just nodded, and Kassie was trying to read him, "You can still come over."
"Yeah, I will be your audience." Mark smiled at her, and Kassie didn't feel like it was real.
"I can tell you that it bothers you."
"Yeah, well, it should bother you."
"What am I going to do about this, Mark?" She paused and came into his office and closed the door. "I am going to have to do what I need to do to keep this job." She whispered as harshly as she could, "I need you to be supportive right now. This is bigger than us." Mark was quiet and did not say anything. Kassie turned around and walked out of his office.
It has been a few hours and a few Jack's. Kassie had the music blasting in the living room as she danced around in her small little shorts and a tank top. She got the board out along with the markers and the report. Kassie started to organize the report in her mind and in her speech. She began to practice it with her hand motions and key points and began to fill out the board. She continued on until she got interrupted by her phone that danced off the counter. She walked over to it and noticed it said "Fucking Cheater" on it. She groaned and picked it up, turning the screen off and putting it back on the counter. She heard a pounding on the door, and she jumped and then lowered the music.
"Coming" She called and opened the door to see Mark standing on the other side.
"Dinner?" He asked as he held up a bag.
"Sure," She said, and he walked in, and Kassie couldn't help it, but it blurted out, "So, is this your saying you're sorry."
"You can take it like that," Mark said, putting the food on the counter. "I just grabbed Chinese."
"That is fine," She said, and he looked around, seeing that the board was basically filled out along with the bottle of jack and a glass in the living room. Kassie walked into the living room and turned off the music and grabbed the jack and glass. "I was starting to think that you were not coming."
"Yeah, well, I had to get over myself." He paused, "I am not upset that you took the opportunity."
"You act like I had a choice." She said as she put her glass in the dishwasher and the bottle away.
"I found out after you what Glen asked." He paused, "I am not happy about it."
"Why?" Kassie wanted to hear that he had some type of jealous body in his body.
"I am not into having Glen use to because he believes a project is good."
"Oh," She paused "Yeah, that isn't a good thing, but these feelings have nothing about Mr. Smith?" She asked as she grabbed the one container and started to open in. Mark looked at her as she took a mouth full of food, and Mark knew what she was trying to do.
"I don't want you in that situation." Mark said and looked at her, "Let's get it done and over with."
The two finished dinner and then went through the presentation several times. Mark gave her pointers on things she needed to change and stress more. She was exhausted and could not get any more information into her head. "I think I am done with this for the night. I can not fix that wrong information was given in the report. The girls and I fixed as much as we could."
"What are you planning on wearing tomorrow?"
Kassie gave the strangest look to Mark "What? Why would you ask that?"
"I just thought maybe if you get it out now, you don't have to worry about it tomorrow." He said, and Kassie placed the board down between the small table and wall near the door.
"Come," She said and walked into her bedroom, "I was planing on this?" She took out a white pencil dress with black up both sides. It was going to be a bit skin-tight but would look good for the presentation.
"Oh nice," He said as he sat on her bed, leaning up against the headboard.
"Oh, while we are talking about dresses. Friday night, the girls want to go shopping with me for a dress for the wedding."
"Okay, so I can pick you up Saturday morning?"
"Yeah or Friday night. We are just going to go to dinner and then get a dress." She said as she flopped on her bed next to Mark. He stretched out his arm and covered Kassie with his arm. She snuggled up against his chest. Mark kissed the top of her head, and the two of them just laded with each other enjoying each other company.
Kassie started to set up the presentation room. She has a new copy of the report with the correct data in it. She put the board up in the front of the room and just looked around as Glen walked in. "How are you doing, Kassie?"
"I am okay. I am getting used to this." She smiled at him
"Sounds good."
"Here is a copy of the new report. I had the girls help me fact check a bunch of things, and there were mistakes. I hope you don't mind."
"Not a problem," Glen said and started to page through the report.
The room started to fill out, and of course, Kassie started to mingle with everyone. Mr. Smith entered the room and made sure to get Kassie's attention. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and she smiled at him as he told her a story about her kids. Kassie tried to move away and get the presentation going, and he pulled her right in him once again, "Glen, I have to tell you... you need to find five more Kassie."
"Thank you, Sir," She said with a smile and blushed a bit.
"Yes, Sir. I will try my best," He said and looked around the two of them. Kassie noticed and turned to look over her shoulder to see Mark coming to the room. Kassie smiled brightly, and Mr. Smith turned around.
"Aw, Our Superstar," He said and shook hands with Mark and Mark shook his hand and greeted him. "I knew you would not miss the chance to see this one in action."
"I would never miss Kassie's presentation," Mark said and looked up at her and then at Glen. Kassie noticed that this was not normal and did not know what the plan was, but knew she needed to get the presentation on the way.
"How about I get the presentation going, Mr. Smith?" She said softly as she placed her hand on his shoulder, which made her lean into him just a bit.
"Oh yes," He said, and she showed him a chair, and she walked to the front of the room and started her introduction. Kassie started the presentation, and she could notice that Mark and Glen were both angry with each other. They both had their arms cross each other Kassie finished up the presentation and began to take questions, and the one that she was hoping was not going to come up did.
"Kassie, how come the original report that we were given before this contradicts some of the facts you present?" The female asked.
"You are right. The original report did have some contradictions, but upon further inspections, we found other evidence." She said and tried hard not to push her lips together.
"I think this deserves drinks," Mr. Smith announced, and the room started to laugh. The group began to leave the room. Kassie grabbed her board and cleaned up the room. Mark and Kassie walked out of the room at the same time while Glen and Mr. Smith were still talking in the room.
"Glen, It could just be me, but I do believe our superstar is falling for your star?"
"You mean Mark and Kassie?" Glen asked a bit questioning as he tried really hard not to sound like he already knew.
"Yes," Mr. Smith said, "I might not have been in the dating ring for a while, but I can see the fireworks between them."
"Well, Sir, they are keeping it down on the low."
"Good idea," He said and winked to Glen.
Kassie stood in the mirror in her bedroom as she tried on, and Ivory a-line dress with chiffon puff sleeves. The top wrapped around and tied in the back right behind her neck. The dress stopped mid-thigh, and Kassie paired it with tan heels. She wore her hair down and a smokey eye. She was not looking for attention but knew that she would get attention regardless. The girls ran the doorbell, and Kassie walked over to the door, and the squealed with delight as they all hugged, and Kassie grabbed her purse, phone, and keys.
"Hang on Hang on," Kassie said once all the girls sat down at the table. "Let's get a photo."
"Oh yeah!" Jessica said, and Kassie sat on the table, pulled out her phone, put it on selfie mode, and the girls all gathered around, and they took several photos with faces and no faces. Kassie sent them to the group text message. She sat down and took a photo of just her and she sent it to Mark with a kisses emoji.
The girls began to figure out what they wanted to eat and whatnot. Jennifer and Amanda wanted to have wine with dinner. "Kassie, It is one drink. It will be out of your system before you even see Mark."
"No, I promise him I would not drink," Kassie said, and they started to tease her.
"One drink..." They all started to chant, and Kassie finally gave in. The girls made enough noise that some of the other people in the restaurant started to look at them.
"Only one. I will order it," She said, and she got up and went over to the bar and leaned up against it."Excuse me, can I order a Chardonnay for the table." She spoke to the bartender, who went to looks to see if they had that.
"Expensive taste," A man said and looked at her, and Kassie looked over at him at bit annoyed that he even put his nose in her business.
"I normally don't order that, but it is a girl night."
"Oh," He paused, and Kassie was getting a little bit of an attitude as he is already judging her. "Where are you girls going clubbing?"
"We are not going clubbing, but dress shopping. So, make sure that you are getting the facts right for your book." Kassie said and pointed to his napkin, acting like he should write it down.
"Ouch. I am John," He said and put his hand out.
"Kassie," She said and didn't shake his hand, and she tilted her head and gave a small smile as her hair brushed as it fell.
"Ouch, you know how to hurt a man." He said and took a sip of his drink.
Kassie's eyes went wide as she looked at him "Man? You're a small boy and need to take a walk off a short pier." Kassie said, and the bartender returned and said that he had the bottle and would deliver to the table.
"So, I guess I won't get your number?"
"No, you won't, and my boyfriend wouldn't appreciate that," She said, and she started to walk away.
"Just a no would have worked fine."
Kassie turned around and made a"Pft" noise. "No- no, that would not have worked for you. I can peg your type a mile away. I need to make myself really clear that I am taken and don't bother my friends or me." She pointed at him with her clutch and turned back again and walked back to the girls. She sat down next to Jessica, which just happened to be on the table that John could see her.
"Who was that?" Jessica leaned over and whispered to her.
"Some creep. I made it clear I want nothing to do with him."
"You will get used to it and just ignore them like they are not even talking."
"I am not sure... with Mark in the business, he is in. Some so many people just come up and talk like he is their best friend."
Jessica took a deep breath, "If he is famous, making you miss out on the normal memories of life... then there is a problem." She paused, "Take a breath and blow that situation off."
The girls continued with their meals and finished off the bottle of wine. They laughed and chatted about dating, life, and work. It was like the old gang was back. John finished his drink and called it a night. He walked up to the table, and the girls got quiet.
"Who are you?" Amanda said a bit disgusted that he would interrupt their meal.
"Goodbye, Kassie," He said with his voice having a sweetness to him. Kassie gave him a dirty look as Amanda and Jennifer looked at her. Jessica put her hand on Kassie's lap to hold her down to the chair.
"Don't," Jessica whispered to her, knowing all too well she would kick this man's ass in heels. John just walked out of the restaurant.
"Who was that?" Amanda said, and Jessica swallowed the last bit of her wine.
"A small boy who needed his blanket," Jessica said, and the girls laughed at the comment.
The girls finished their dinner and made their way into the mall as they searched for a dress for a wedding, which just gave them all the reasons to try on anything they wanted. Kassie and Jessica were in a dressing room as they tried on another round of dresses.
"So, I am curious, and you can tell me to mind my business," Jessica asked, and Kassie knew what she was talking about.
"Not yet" She paused "I have my reasons and one of them named Fucking Cheater" She shook her head as she pulled on a burgundy high-low wrap dress. Kassie stood in the mirror, wondering if this would even work with being chested like she was. The spaghetti straps were a bit loose, and she didn't need an accident at the wedding. She pulled at the wrap pulling it to tie at her waist. She loved the high front slit.
"You can not compare Mark to him," Jessica said as she continued to lecture her about the new relationship. She turned to Kassie, "Oh Kas, that is the dress," She said, her mouth open a little.
"I don't know. I don't need the girls getting loose at the wedding."
"None sense, just a little tape here and there, and that dress are stunning. Turn around." She said, and Kassie did that, and she pulled her hair back into a loose braid. "You put her hair back into a fishtail braid which you can pin up or leave down. Plus, with the little flyaway hairs coming out. You look gorgeous." She paused as she smiled and looked up at Kassie, who was now blushing. "Girls, you have to see this!" She said, and you could hear the dressing room doors open and the girls waiting.
"Come on, show us!" Jennifer called and opened the door to see Kassie in the outfit.
"Oh, my" The girls all said to each other and smiled and giggled. "This is the dress" they all seemed to agree on. The girls got themselves together as they finished up shopping. Kassie sat in the dressing room while Jessica finished trying on her last outfit.
"My guard is up at a time with Mark. It feels so right, ya know. Then it is like it can't be this right." She said as she laid her head against the dressing room wall.
"Yeah, but when you at that moment, you need to just live that moment."
"Did I tell you next week we are leaving for New Orleans?"
"No, what are you going to do there?"
"He has as some wrestling thing and asked me to go with him." She paused, "I have no idea what I am going to do there."
"I am sure that you two will have fun, and maybe being around different people will be a good thing." She paused, "No one will know you, and you
will just be known as Mark's arm candy."
"Yeah, that is what I want to be an object, just like work."
"Bite your tongue. You are good at your job and happen to look good, which is a plus."
"Yeah, I am sure you are right," She said and sighed, "Mr. Smith just rubs me the wrong way."
"He does that to everyone to see how far he can push it once he figures out that you and Mark. I doubt that he will be giving you anymore a problem." Jessica started to laugh as she pulled her top over her head.
The girls were heading back to the condo since Kassie was done for the night and needed to pack yet. Mark called, and Kassie picked it up, "Hello."
"Hey, are you wanting me to pick you up tonight?"
"We are pulling up to the condo shortly, and then I have to pack quick." She said, and the girls could hear that it was him. They all started to scream and holler in the background.
"I am nearby. I will meet you there. Are they drunk?"
"Um, no, they just really want to see you." Kassie giggled a bit. "I will see you soon," Kassie said and hung up. The girls started to tease her and Kassie tried to calm them down, but the radio blasting and the this was the first time they were going to see Mark and Kassie outside of work as a couple it was exciting for them. The girls pulled up the radio blasting as they saw Mark leaning up against his truck.
Jennifer and Amanda started to catcall from the car as Kassie got out of the other side. "Hi, ladies," Mark said with a smile.
"Hi, Mark," Jessica said, leaning out of the driver's side.
"Did she find a dress that will work?"
"It is a very pretty dress," Jessica said with a smile, and Kassie grabbed her bag and purse from the trunk, and she walked over to Mark. Mark shook his head at Kassie, wearing such an outfit. Kassie walked over and outstretched his arms, and she came right into him and kissed him softly and then snuggled into his chest with a smile on her lips. The girls screamed and hollered again.
"Have a goodnight ladies," Mark said as Kassie smiled and giggled against his chest.
"See you guys," Jessica said and waved at them as she pulled away.
"And your sure they are not drunk?"
"Yup," She said and laughed at the question as she looked up at him. She started to walk a little ahead of him, and he swatted her ass.