Chapter 17

"Where are the guys?" Kim asked.

"They went shopping and are going to grab some lunch," Lana answered, looking up from the work she was doing on her laptop.

Kim broke out laughing. "Are you serious? Perhaps you missed the memo that Brian's idea of shopping is going to the corner Taco Bell, picking up something at 7-11, or ordering porn and charging it to Paul when he isn't hanging out at the neighborhood Goodwill."

"Really, Kim, he may have another side of him you know nothing about."

"I've worked for the goof for a year and a half; I doubt there's anything I missed, considering he's solid proof one doesn't have to hang off a tree to be a nut."

"Well, he can't be too bad if you've been working with him for a year and a half."

Kim smiled again. "I guess you're right. You know, that midget can be a pain in the ass and work my last nerve sometimes, but I have to admit he's a pretty amusing guy."

"Funny you'd mention that, because he says the same about you."

"No shit? Hmm, maybe that's why we can put up with each other in spite of us trading insults, which are in jest, by the way. Actually, I'm shocked some nice girl hasn't snatched him up. He is a cute little bugger too."

"Yeah, too bad. Problem is, most of the girls around here want the bigger men with six pack abs and a seven figure income."

"They can keep those," Kim snorted. "Not too many of them are fun anyway, especially when we hear Cricket bitch about Randy or Gwen complaining about Lance riding her ass about every little thing. Compared to them, you and I got the better end of the deal. At least Brian can both give and take a good joke even if he is cheap and lazy sometimes."

"Yeah, that he can," Lana agreed.

"And he probably forgot my birthday today anyway, but that's okay. Sometimes I forget it myself."

"Oh, I'm sure he remembered this time. Paul and I had to give him a little nudge."

"Thanks, but I don't think it will make much of a difference. So what are you and your boss planning tonight?"

"Nothing that I know of."

"You still haven't considered the offer of moving in with him? It's not that you two don't spend enough time together anyway. Why not make it official?"

"I'm still thinking about it. I haven't really lived with anyone outside of Denise."

"God, do you have any idea how many women would want to be in your place right now? I say go for it!"

"Wouldn't it be a bit odd to move in with my own boss?"

"Not any more odd than you already screwing him."

"Kimberly!" Lana blushed.

"Sorry, just an observation. But really, it would be a tad more exciting than looking at Denise 24 hours a day, wouldn't it?"

"I suppose," Lana sighed. "but I almost feel as if I would abandon her, especially since she was there when I came out of rehab and had practically nothing."

"Rest assured Denise would not have a problem with it. Besides, shacking up with a hot man might be fun."

"You don't have to make it sound so dirty, Kim."

"God, I have been working for Brian too long, haven't I? I'm starting to think like him. Next thing I know, I'll be charging $500 worth of porn to Paul's account too."

"That reminds me; your boss still owes him that $500."

"Yeah, I know. Tell Paul to stop at my cubicle and I'll cut him a check. Don't worry, it will be good since I just did His Highness' bookkeeping yesterday."

"Speaking of whom, I think they're back; at least I thought I heard Paul," Lana said.

"Well, that does it for me. Time to go see what greasy offerings the king brought me for lunch like he's accomplished something."

"I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised," Lana smiled. "I'll see you later."

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"Good, Kim isn't in here," Brian grinned, peering into her work space. "This will be perfect. I just hope she didn't go to lunch already."

"She might be over chatting with Lana," Paul said. "Still, I can't believe you came up with this thing. And we already told her you'd pick up something for lunch anyway."

"Come on, dude; I had to think of something different. She's probably already expecting fast food; she just doesn't know the rest of it yet."

Brian then dropped the fast food bag on Kim's desk and made his exit. "I'm headed to the vending machines. You coming?"

"Jesus Christ, Spanky; you just ate half an hour ago."

"I need a soda."

"Fine. I'll be with Lana to see if she heard anything from creative."

"I doubt she did, but it never hurts to find out."

"Yeah, more like another week of me sitting on my ass backstage for three more hours. See you later, dude."

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Kim spotted the bag on her desk and rolled her eyes.

"Wow, McDonald's. Woohoo, happy birthday to me," she said. "Boy, I have a great boss."

"Just open the fucking bag and save the commentary, Kimberly," Brian called back. "You're lucky I remembered your birthday this year."

"Yeah, after Lana and Paul told you. Check it out….limp, greasy fries, smooshed cheeseburger, and…..OH MY GOD, BRIAN! GET YOUR ASS IN HERE!"

Somebody found the prize, he grinned to himself. "Something wrong, dear?"

"This has to be a mistake," Kim said, holding up a box containing the necklace. "You wouldn't by any chance pinched someone else's lunch order, did you?"

"Very funny. Come on; check it out."

"This is gorgeous," she said. "I am very impressed."

"What, no insults?" Brian asked.

"How can I insult something this lovely?" Kim pecked his cheek. "Thank you. You are a great boss, and I mean it this time."

"Wow, score one for the short dude," he grinned. "I actually did something right for a change."

"Even if Paul did help you," Kim smiled slyly. "But it's the thought of yours that counted the most."