"She knows her timing, always knows. The time to strike or the time to starve. Her eyes as a clock, she watches she waits she learns, and in the second she blinks, she changes her mind just like that."
― Anthony Liccione
"Wow! He's in Carol's office, taking up for you." Andrea continued in hopes of being able to reason with a distraught Michonne inside of the Go Stop restroom. "There's no way you can't see he is on your side. He is not the enemy, Michonne."
"I don't know why." Michonne blew her nose and tossed the tissue in the trash that her friendly coworker gave her to use.
"You have to be blind not to see how he looks at you, Michonne."
"I'm not blind. It is the number one reason why I keep my pocket knife on me."
"Has he threatened you?" Andrea was shocked by Michonne having to carry a weapon in the workplace, especially when referencing a particular male employee that most women in their department found extremely attractive and somewhat mysterious.
"Every day, I keep his secret." Michonne bemoaned.
"Really?!" Andrea became more concerned, expecting to find out something more sordid.
"I will expose him for hanging up on customers too. I am not the only one." Michonne threatened.
Andrea was confused about the details, but she believed she was a good judge of character, and she knew Michonne was oblivious.
"Michonne, I promise! Listen to me. I am almost certain he is on your side. He can't stand Carol either. It is all over his face whenever he has to interact with her. Surely, you agree?"
"We all hate Carol. Mr. Groomes hates me more, and I hate him and Carol equally." Michonne tried to convince herself that she and Mr. Groomes had gone back to their old dynamic of avoiding one another.
Andrea realized there was no way to get Michonne to calm down inside the ladies' room. There was no reasoning with her coworker. Andrea was surprised and concerned when Michonne quickly darted out of the confined space.
Michonne's sudden exit caused her to run dab gobble smack into Mr. Groomes, who was patiently waiting for her to exit out of the Ladies room. There was nothing to stop Michonne from falling apart with him right there looking sympathetic to her disposition. She had unexpectedly found herself in his embrace once he had noticed she had been crying. She allowed him to console her.
"Let us go outside," Rick quietly suggested after being witnessed by a bewildered Andrea with Michonne in his arms.
"I have to get back on the phones." Michonne protested, pulling away from Mr. Groomes in order to go and start walking in the direction of the elevator. "Especially if I am being fired, I will need to go and get my belongings before they try to pack up my desk."
"No, you aren't being fired, and no one is packing up your desk." Mr. Groomes informed with authority on the matter. He continued, "She would have to fire us all if the timing of our return was such a big deal, especially since we were all late returning from our meeting on the fourth floor. And it was also uncalled for, for her to only set sights on you and not on all of us. Let's go outside for a few minutes until we have calmed down enough to go back on the phones, okay?"
"We?"
"Yes, we." Rick didn't try to hide his annoyance with the situation that erupted unexpectedly on the service floor. He had to have words with Carol, and to make matters more complicated; he showed her his driver's license to get her to back down with the threat of firing him too.
"Go where outside?"
"We can take a short walk or go over to the picnic area if you like?"
Michonne's reluctance was brief even though her anxiety-ridden thoughts kept her stomach-churning. They exited the building through a side door permitted for employees to use. The weather was perfect. Together they walked the whole perimeter finding out a little bit more about each other as they spoke freely without fear of being overheard by anyone. Finding common ground took some time for the two of them, but once discovered a few weeks back, their cordial relationship began to become more relaxed and more comfortable to navigate.
"We make a good team believe it or not." Michonne smiled brightly. The moment the words left her mouth, she couldn't believe she allowed herself to say what she said until she had said it. His response surprised her.
"All this time, I thought you were using me for leverage."
"I can't use you for leverage, Mr. Groomes. You would have to exert yourself as a Grimes. Kind of like Superman, go into a cubicle and come out no longer in a suit and tie but blue tights with Mr. Grimes emblazed across your chest and a red cape."
"I am always going to remember you, Michonne." Rick laughed.
"Good! I've made a significant impression."
"You are very-."
"Don't say crafty."
"Crafty," Rick said it anyway.
"Uggh." Michonne bumped her shoulder into his as they found a place to sit after an hour of walking around the Go Stop's park-like setting.
"You are so crafty in getting what you want. It is almost awe-inspiring." Rick teased.
"Almost?"
"I was surprised when you had chosen to team up with Rosita."
"Never again will I trust anyone with your whereabouts. If I had known you really weren't going to be gone for a month, I would have chosen you, Mr. Groomes."
"Who in the world told you I was going to be gone a month?"
"You."
"I went to Colorado for a few days. I met up with a few college buddies. Motorbiked and hiked. I was joking with you when I said I would be back in a month—your sudden curiosity about my coming and going caught me off guard. I wish I could take some significant time off. I definitely wouldn't spend it with them. Maybe a couple of weeks with someone special."
"How often do you do that?"
"Not often enough."
"I'm talking about the part with someone special?"
"I don't have anyone. If I did, I would like to show her Colorado." Rick wasn't sure what to discern by looking into Michonne's soft brown eyes, and he wasn't aware that while Michonne was looking into his blue ones, she saw snow cap mountains and a warm cabin fire.
"So you are outdoorsy?"
"Campfire, fishing, the whole shebang. How about you?"
"Only in a zombie apocalypse."
"No hunting, trekking, mountain biking, skiing?"
"No. Doesn't mean I am not open to it. I've just never met a guy that was into those things."
"What have the guys you've dated like to do?"
"Fool me."
"What?"
"My new guy," Michonne started out, "when I find one, he will be amazing. But to answer your question, my last guy enjoyed sports in front of a television, maybe someone one on one basketball, clubbing and as usual I revealed too much. What were we originally talking about? Weren't we talking about the Trivia game where I partnered with Rosita because I believed you when you said you were going to be gone a month?"
"So, I'm your choice when it comes to those time wasters we are constantly subjected to participate in?"
"Yes. Every single time. If you haven't noticed, I have a very competitive streak. I don't like to lose. I want to be on the strongest team or at least on the best side of a good outcome. What I like about you, Mr. Groomes is that you know how to listen. You are slow to act. You understand every team needs a leader that is aware of each member's best qualities. You are very receptive to people in that regard. Well rounded. Knowledgeable about some things."
"A compliment." Rick grinned. He could barely contain himself.
"Complement. Competitively we complement each other. I would never compliment. Too flirty in the workplace." Michonne clarified.
"Too flirty?"
"Yes."
"So, I shouldn't say I like your outfit, or you look nice today?"
"Most women would find it harassing."
"To tell a coworker, I like your outfit?"
"How many coworkers are you telling this to?" Michonne was curious.
"How many coworkers am I telling, that I think you look nice today?"
"Yes."
"None. I mean, why would I go tell someone else that I like what you wore yesterday?"
"What?" Michonne questioned his emphasis.
"No one, Michonne."
"What frequency are you on?" Michonne was quite sure she heard him correctly that he doesn't gossip about her or reference her to anyone. What she really wanted to know if he made it a habit to compliment women in general or just her. One thing she wasn't going to do is make another fool of herself over a guy when she may not be on his radar.
"I am not low vibrational."
"Why are you so nosey?" Michonne was shocked by his response.
"I'm not nosey." Rick insisted.
"How do you know about low vibrational people that inhabit my space?"
"There's a short wall between us. I can hear you. I can see you when you stand up and try to pretend I don't exist until you need a partner to win at one of the many silly games designed to increase morale."
"I'm starting to wonder about you."
"I am glad that I am finally on your radar."
"The last thing you want for me to do is put you under a microscope, Mr. Groomes."
"What do you think you will find?" Rick was curious.
"I have no idea. I've never met anyone like you."
"Good."
"For you. Not for me."
"Why is that?"
"Because of this or that. That or this. Private considerations." Michonne remained evasive. She had recently as of the day before added his name to her manifesting list. Something about the gray suit he wore had her out of sorts with sexual thoughts about him. He had even starred in one of her nightly dreams.
"Am I being nosey?"
"Yes." Michonne informed shyly.
"So, what is it called when you are looking down at me from over our cubicle wall?" Rick asked in need of clarity.
"Curious."
"Ahh. Got it. You are just curious. I'm just nosey." Rick's heart thudded in his chest; his breath caught momentarily when Michonne had taken his hand to spy the brand of watch he chose to wear on that day. He was already on cloud nine with having embraced Michonne and to also have her undivided attention in private for a lengthy amount of time.
"Our frequency is aligning along with lunchtime." Michonne checked the time on her watch and the time on Mr. Groomes Jaegler Lecoultre. "Our watches are priced thousands of dollars apart, but the time is the same, go figure. Imagine how much money you could have saved if you would have been content with a Citizen."
"Frugal is a word I can spell. I've never had it associated with me in my day to day life." Rick didn't try to conceal his smugness.
"It shows."
"Is there anything you don't know?"
"I know a lot of things. Things I don't know, I'm not aware of until it is presented. Not saying I am a know it all, but I do know that you should never cut your hair..." Michonne trailed off and glanced back at the food truck. Something about Mr. Groomes was strangely attractive up close and personal, or she was hungry. Hunger made her consider things. Imagine them, too.
"That's an opinion."
"Valid...opinion."
"Then why did you give me Jessie's business card?" Rick was utterly confused when he accepted it. He was under the impression Michonne was trying to tell him he needed a haircut. He was willing to consider the suggestion if that was what it would take for her to begin to consider him.
"I gave you her business card because I'm not going to Supercuts. Not as a black woman with an afro."
"Your hair looks different today. How did you get it to do what it is doing?"
"Magic."
"I like it. I like how you always seem to change up your style. Why do you keep blinking like that?"
"You noticed it isn't involuntary?"
"I'm very receptive and cognizant of some of your quirks, but the blinking seems to be a new one."
"Why are you so receptive, Mr. Groomes?"
"One, you are someone I can trust. Two, your sense of humor is growing on me."
"Fascinating, because those are the same qualities I am working on. Trustworthiness and amusement. Let's see, hand me your wallet."
"Why?"
"You trust me, don't you?"
"I think I can." Rick tried to retract the statement he had made moments ago.
"You think?"
"Why?" Rick was still slightly hesitant.
"I had already seen your driver's license months ago. I know who you really are, and I haven't told a soul." Michonne held her hand out until Rick placed his Montblanc 100% black leather slim fold wallet in her hand. "An expensive wallet. Remind me only to go undercover with you if we have to pretend we are well off. Aren't well off, then the jig is up."
Three things she noticed. A black card amongst two additional credit and one debit card, four twenty-dollar bills, and a single unopened condom with a turndown corner. Michonne took out 20.00, making no mention of what she was trying to ascertain.
"What are you doing, Michonne?" Rick asked calmly.
"I am taking twenty dollars from what looks to be a Montblanc wallet because my purse is at my desk. I'm starving. You are famished. My favorite food truck is setting up. Have you ever had Holy Taco?"
"No. Any good?"
"Thee best! Are you going to want something to drink?"
"Of course."
Michonne took another twenty and gave Mr. Groomes back his wallet. "Keep our table; I will get our food."
"How do you know what I like?"
"What do you like?" Michonne paused from leaving to get in line.
"Well..." Rick stalled.
"It's Holy Tacos. Do you have any food allergies?"
"No."
"Any particular food or condiments associated with Tacos you don't like?"
"No."
"Then what's the problem?"
"I may want chicken."
"Okay."
"I may want beef."
"Okay."
"I could easily go to the food truck, Michonne. You could sit here to keep our table." Rick tried to persuade.
"I will bring back your change if that is what you are worried about. Uggh." Michonne abruptly walked away from the table, leaving him to guard it against being snatched up by other possible employees. They began to trickle outside to enjoy the fresh air with a hint of Holy Taco wafting in the air.
Rick could see who was standing in line at the food truck. It made his stomach sick. He was envious of the tall good looking African American man that Michonne harped about ad nauseam on the other side of his cubicle wall with her usual coworker friend named Andrea. He was jealous, and it was eating him up to know the one person he had the hots for was attracted to someone else.
The closer Michonne got to the Holy Taco, the more people started lining up. She noticed who was in line too. She had three people ahead of her while Mike Wesson was at the window ordering. Once done, he stood back and away from the front. It was only momentary that their eyes locked before Michonne realized someone was standing next to her. Why else would her dream guy go back to staring at his phone? Mr. Groomes.
"What are you doing, Mr. Groomes?"
"What do you mean, what am I doing? I want to know what they have. I can't know what they have if I am sitting all the way over there."
"So, you are really going to let someone take our table?"
"Allow me to put it to you this way. I don't care about the table. And, I'm not sure I want Tacos from a truck."
"Here." Michonne was prepared to give him back his money.
Rick lowered his voice more as they were one person away from the window to order. "I'm not asking for the money back, Michonne. I have no problem with having tacos for lunch. I would like to stand with you when you are ordering." Rick made sure his volume went up a slight notch just in case Mike Wesson was listening. He was trying to be inconspicuous when doing it. He continued with what he wanted his competition to know, "Besides, if we don't find another table out here by the time our food is ready, there are plenty of tables inside where we can have a seat and enjoy our lunch together."
"Okay."
"Do you have a problem with that?" Rick decreased his volume.
"No problem, Mr. Groomes."
A/N: I will be back to check for errors. Another chapter to follow.