Page 24 of Forty, Flirty & Fired

"Acceptable?" she asks when I nod to the sommelier.

"Exceptional.” I watch as he pours a glass for her. "Though I suspect you'll form your own opinion."

She takes a sip, and I catch a glimmer of interest in her expression before she schools it.

"It's good," she admits. "Though at these prices, it should basically make all my life decisions for me."

The sommelier retreats, and suddenly we're alone with only the wine and the city lights between us.

I'm struck by the realization that this is the first time we've been together outside the office without the pretext of corporate politics.

"So…” She studies me over the rim of her glass. “Is this the part where you try to charm me into revealing all my corporate culture secrets? Or are we skipping right to the threats about me ‘staying in line’?”

"Neither." I lean back, allowing the server to place menus before us. "This is the part where we have dinner and discuss how to fix the gender pay gap at Drake Enterprises."

Her eyes widen slightly. “You want to talk about the pay gap? Really?"

"You seemed concerned about it.”

"Concerned is a mild way of putting it."

"Nevertheless, you were right. The numbers are problematic."

"And yet you've done nothing about it."

"Not nothing," I correct, then hesitate. Admitting corporate failings doesn't come naturally. "Not enough, I’m sure.”

Something similar to shock crosses her face. "Well," she says, closing her menu, "that's... surprisingly honest."

"I'm capable of honesty, Ms. Gallo."

"Mac," she says suddenly.

"Excuse me?"

"If we're going to discuss dismantling systematic gender discrimination over dinner, you might as well call me Mac. 'Ms. Gallo' feels a bit formal."

"Mac," I repeat.

It’s a name I’ve called her in my head many times already. And it suits her.

Short. Straightforward, with hidden complexity.

I clear my throat. “Then I suppose you should call me Alex."

"Oh, I don't know," she teases, "I've grown rather fond of 'Mr. Drake' or 'Tech Overlord' as Keith from DevOps calls you."

"Please don't encourage him. He's already trying to form a protest book club in the break room."

She laughs again, and the warmth of the sound washes over me.

The waiter returns for our orders, and I watch as Mac navigates the menu with the same efficiency she applies to corporate reform initiatives.

After the waiter leaves, she takes another sip of wine, her eyes never leaving mine. "So, about this pay gap…”

"I've been working with HR to analyze the discrepancies," I begin. "The problem is more systemic than I initially realized."

"That's corporate-speak for 'it's a bigger mess than I thought.'"

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