Page 7 of Mr. February

“Good. He was a dick. So, what are you going to do about it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Dude.” Kyle gave him a look that said he was being an idiot. “You’ve liked her since the second she started working here, and it sounds like she’s interested in finding someone new. You should go for it.”

“I don’t know. What if I make her uncomfortable. I don’t want to be that guy. Besides, I don’t even know if we’re allowed to date co-workers anymore.”

“It’s fine, unless one of you is the manager of the other, or you’re on the same team, which isn’t the case. You’ve got to fill out a form with HR, but that’s it.”

“How do you know that?Whydo you know that?” Wade asked.

“I like knowing things.” Kyle cleared his throat. “But don’t change the subject. If she didn’t want to go out with you, she could just say no, and you’d go back to what you’re doing now.”

“But—”

“It’s not like you corner her in the copy room or stare at her breasts when you talk to her. That’s the kind of stuff that makes women nervous of guys they work with, not a respectful guy asking them out and accepting their answer. And even if it went poorly, you don’t work together very often, so no big deal. Ask her out.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Chapter 3: The Geeks Have Written a Sex Manual, and They’re Hoarding It

JENNY

“I have another great idea!”

Jenny gasped when Gloria popped into her office the next afternoon, startling her from deep concentration. Her friend had a habit of picking up a conversation from where they left off, whether it was two minutes ago or two weeks ago.

“Hello to you, too,” Jenny said. “You’re early. Our meeting doesn’t start for another twenty minutes or so.”

“Yes, yes, hello.” Gloria waved her hand dismissively as her excitement bubbled. “I mentioned it yesterday, but the more I think about it, the more I like it. It’s perfect and will solve all your current problems.”

Jenny snorted.

“I had no idea I had so many problems.”

“Okay, problem might be too strong. However, it’s anissue. You’re too nice.”

Jenny giggled but Gloria shook her head emphatically.

“No, I’m serious,” Gloria insisted. “You’re too nice. Why else would you have dated that shithead? I worry he’s going to worm his way back into your life by telling you some sob story. Or worse, he’ll bug you until he hits at just the right time when you’re feeling blue and lonely, and wham! He’s back in the saddle!”

“It’s times like this I wish I could raise one eyebrow like you. Referring to me as a horse deserves a condescending brow. But I can’t do that, so I’ll just say, ‘that’s not going to happen.’ He’s not going to guilt—“

Jenny cut herself off with a rueful smile. “Okay, he probablywilltry to guilt me, but he’s not going to convince me to have breakup sex with him. He showed his true colors, and I can’t forget the things he said.”

“Why haven’t you blocked him?”

“Because I misplaced a sweater I really like, and I keep hoping it’ll show up at his apartment. If he finds it, and it requires any effort to get ahold of me, I’ll never get it back.”

“Buy a new one.”

“I can’t. My mom made it for me.”

“Oh, damn, I love that sweater!”

“See? Until I get it back, I can’t block him.”

“All the more reason for you to go along with my plan.” Gloria beamed with satisfaction.

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