JENNIE

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It's late, definitely after five o'clock already. Darn it. Glancing into the cubicles in the office, I find them empty. I slide my headphones off and hit pause on the playlist that I listen to when I really need to focus.

I had a feeling it was getting late, but not this late. Flicking my gaze to the clock on my computer screen, I confirm it's almost six. Yep, it's past quitting time for most of my coworkers and now I'm here all alone. Physically separating myself from my work and letting out a long exhale, I push myself back from my desk.

I spent the day working up several new ads for a health food company who wanted the whole package. From billboards to Google ads and social media placements. I'm not going to lie; I think they're going to love them all. Their branding and messaging is solid. Still, it's always a good idea to sleep on it, and look at it with fresh eyes the next day. It's already six anyway; I can email the files for approval tomorrow.

When I stand up I have to crack my neck and back I'm so sore. And then I try to down the rest of my coffee but I find it empty. Oh how I wish Sana were here now with a hot cup to keep me from falling over. I probably need some water to balance out the crapload of caffeine I put in my body today.

I head to the small kitchen to the right of the elevators, where they keep a filtered water cooler and stumble on Irene, who's talking with Elaine and Karan, two coworkers from a couple of floors up.

"Oh! Hey," I say, tossing my coffee cup in the trash can next to them. "I didn't realize anybody was still here."

"I saw you at your desk, but you had your headphones on," says Karan, a pretty girl of Middle Eastern descent. She has a bit of British in her accent, though it's slowly fading. "I thought it would be better not to disturb you."

"Yeah," I admit sheepishly. "Thank you; I appreciate it. I banged out three packages today and I'm wiped."

"Elaine was just telling us about getting hit on at the bar," Irene says. "Right, Elaine?"

Elaine is the new girl at our company. She has dark hair and porcelain skin, which turns bright red at Irene's statement.

"Well, I wouldn't say hit on," she stammers. "I was just saying, a guy I've liked for a while talked to me for a long time last night."

"Oooh," I let the word drag on, moving past them and grabbing a paper cup, "That sounds like a win of a night. How did it end? You get his number?"

Before Elaine can do anything other than shake her head, Irene teases, "I hear that our Jennie got asked out by that hot bartender Lisa."

I freeze with the empty cup in my hand. Everyone who knows Irene at all has been introduced to Mac's, and by association, Lisa. I shoot Irene a look as I fill the glass with water, but she ignores it. I like to keep some things private, but nothing is private with Irene.

"She asked you out?" Elaine says. "You have to tell us all about it!" She's far too excited, but it only makes me giddy. Lisa did kiss me on the cheek. I nearly blurt it out, but feel a blush rise instead and take a drink of the cold water rather than speak.

"Yeah, 'cause Lisa is dreamy," Karan says, practically drooling.

I laugh trying to shake it off, "It's not that big of a deal." It really isn't. "I'm just doing her a favor really."

"Spill!" Irene says. "We all want to know how you managed to snare her."

My gaze narrows at the manner in which Irene just made that statement. How could a girl like me snare a girl like Lisa? Insecurity steeps through every inch of me slowly. I didn't. I couldn't. That' s how. I'll be damned if that doesn't hurt to admit. I won't; I take another sip instead, pretending that the truth doesn't feel like stepping into a cold ice bath.

"Don't say it like that," Karan says to Irene before turning back to face me. "Jeez. She didn't mean it like that, Jen."

"Right," I chuckle and sip my water again, it's nearly gone already. With a careless shrug from Irene and a, "I'm just curious," response from her, the hurt turns to anger. I'm pissed at Irene, but there's no reason to start a fight over something so small. Jealous much? My inner voice snarks. I let the tension out of my shoulders as I grip the cup with both hands and lean against the counter.

"I'd still like to hear," Elaine says, blushing. "I mean, Lisa is grade A hot."

"So tell us," Irene commands.

"She invited me to her sister's wedding," I say. "It's not really a date—"

The girls howl appreciatively, which makes me smile. That bit of happiness coming back.

"She invited you to a wedding because she's trying to tell you how she feels!" Elaine says, excited. Elaine's blush is contagious, finding its way to my face. She's so sweet and is constantly reading those romance novels with hot men on the covers during her lunch break. She's a romantic at heart, but I like the way she thinks.

"No, she invited her because she knows that weddings are an amorous atmosphere, and she wants to get in her pants." Karan corrects with a growing smile.

"Ohh, psshh," I say. "She needed to get her family off her back, so she said she was bringing someone. And then she invited me. I'm telling you, it's decidedly not amorous and if she wanted to get into my pants she didn't have to go through all that."

"So you wouldn't mind if another guest put the moves on her, then?" Irene asks pointedly.

"I… It's not like…" I say. My body stiffens. What the hell has gotten into Irene? I swear some days I wonder why she even talks to me.

"Of course she would mind!" Karan protests for me. "Have you seen Lisa? Because she's got amazing smile, and an ass that won't quit. Give the girl a chance to get some, Irene!"

"I'm just asking," Irene says, putting her hands up. "Speaking of that ass, I'm planning to go to Mac's tonight to see it in action. You in?"

"Definitely," Karan says.

"Sure!" Elaine adds.

"Umm…" I say, unsure. "You know, I'm just not feeling it tonight, guys." The idea of Irene anywhere around Lisa sends that spike of anger back. I don't need to see that, not with how tired I am and all these feelings that bubble up every time I hear Lisa name.

"Are you sure? Your girl will be there," Karan says with a twinkle in her eyes.

"She said she's not feeling it," Irene cuts in. "So let's let her get back to work."

"If you're sure…" Karan says.

"Totally," I say. "You guys have fun." I don't think I can handle being around Lisa right now. It's definitely an uneven relationship in terms of how much we like each other, and I can already see myself getting hurt. Neither of us mentioned her mother and sister after they left. It's like we're pretending none of it happened and we're just our flirty normal selves. But there was that kiss.

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