Addison sat inside her huge walk in closet with her knees pulled up to her chest and her head tucked between her knees. She recalled the tornado drills during her elementary years at the prestigious Catholic school her parents had picked for her. That was the position you were safest in, and heaven knew she needed to feel safe again.
"You'd think the nuns would've pounded some morals into my head," she thought bitterly.
She lifted her head out from her legs slowly and stretched her neck, and then unfolded her legs and flexed her calves. She looked around at her collection of clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories. She'd been sitting there since three just staring at all the things she'd accumulated over the years, and judging by the light coming from the small window within her closet it was almost sunrise. It hadn't taken just two hours last night. It had taken the whole night. Yesterday was just one of those days that everything had caught up with her. The lousy marriage, the cheating, the leaving, some more cheating, being cheated on, a pregnancy, an abortion, her own leaving, some more lousy marriage, being cheated on at prom, a transcontinental booty call, divorce, more Mark, Alex, being told there would be no children for you. Some days it was simply just too much. She was feeling much better though and she knew that work would take her mind off everything completely. Addison stood up enjoying the stretching of her muscles, went to take off her makeup from the night before, and grab a hot shower. She still walked around her house naked after showering; it made her feel mischievous, so hair still wet she walked back into her sanctuary to pick out today's ensemble. After fifteen minutes of heavy mental debating she decided on a silky, knee length, three quarter sleeved dress with plunging a neckline that was composed of all her best colors. She topped it off with her favorite pair of black pumps, and a gold necklace. She curled her hair and did her makeup. She would look good no matter where Pete took her later. In her minor breakdown the night before she had almost completely forgotten about going to lunch with him that day, but when she had remembered she'd decided not to be nervous about it at all. She genuinely wanted to be his friend, and she thought this would be a good start. She was done picturing Pete as a potential… person because the likelihood of that happening was slim to none. That's not what Pete was interested in, and besides she had Kevin.
Pete had decided to go for his everyday look, a tee-shirt and worn out jeans. Although he was interested in more than being just friends with Addison, he really did want to get to know her, and he figured he didn't need to get all dressed up for that. He took his Harley to work that morning. Mostly because he doubted that Addison had ever been on one, and he wanted to show her a good time. Plus he had a very sexy image of Addison sitting on the back of his bike in heels with her arms around his waist. He shook the image from his head as he ran to catch the closing elevator doors. She was standing inside, of course. She looked beautiful as always, but there was something different today. A sort of sadness hung in her eyes that hadn't been there the day before. He wished it would leave, he didn't like seeing her unhappy, and he wanted to know what had put that look on her face.
"Hey, Addison, is there… something wrong? I mean are you okay?"
She gave him a small smile before answering, "Yea, Pete. I'm alright, thanks for asking."
"You're welcome Addie. I have a surprise for lunch."
She chuckled at his silly expression.
"Knowing you, that doesn't sound too safe."
"Don't worry, you'll be perfectly fine, but I hope you have a change of clothes, that dress probably isn't going to work very well in the position you'll be in," Pete said with a smirk.
"Now I'm really scared Pete. What are you doing with me," Addison questioned as the elevator doors dinged open.
"You'll see. Meet me down stairs at twelve, don't be late."
He walked away in that sexy gait of his and Addison simply couldn't help but watch his retreating figure.