Page 112 of Flirtasaurus
“Yeah, they’re actually going to come to the gala and spend the night at a fancy Philly hotel afterward. Best of luck to their neighbors! We’re hoping to have some mother-daughter time the next morning.”
“That’s really great, Calliope. I’m proud of you.”
“Eh, whatever,” I say as I swat him on the shoulder. But it really does feel good to make him proud. Not to mention opening the doors for better communication with my family. That feels like such a relief. I guess I didn’t realize how much that tension had been weighing on me.
As we approach the block where the museum is located, I drop his hand.
He looks like he would have continued holding on right through the revolving doors.
“You know,” he says gently, “we could talk to Dr. Knowles and Dr. Abrams. Tell them about us.”
“We could…” I say hesitantly. “I just don’t want to jeopardize all the progress I’ve made with her.”
“There’s nothing in our contracts saying we can’t date someone on staff.”
“I know, I know.”
“And she told you herself that she wanted to see you being more friendly with your co-workers,” he says with a smirk.
“Yeah, somehow, I don’t think she meant the kind of friendly that you and I have been exploring lately.”
“Oh, no? Not this kind of friendly?” he says, then pulls me in for a kiss, molding me to his body with both hands on my ass.
“Will you stop!” I say, giggling. I push him away good-naturedly.
“Just think about it, will you?” He looks deep into my eyes. “Maybe we don’t need to keep sneaking around.”
“Okay.” I sigh. “I’ll think about it.”
He takes my hand to his lips for one quick kiss to my knuckles. Then with our arms at our sides like the professionals we are, we walk up the steps and into the museum.
The meeting is being held in Trix and Monty’s exhibit hall, where the gala will be taking place. When we enter the room—several feet apart, until I figure out how to address this with Dr. Knowles—the place is hopping. Lots of scientists and educators and administrators milling about, chatting with colleagues.
Then I spot her and move in her direction. What the hell is she doing here?
“Sasha?” I say with no small amount of confusion in my voice.
“Hey, girlfriend!” she says like it’s perfectly normal for her to be here at my place of employment for a staff meeting.
“What are you doing here?” I hush.
“Just checking up on my girl, making sure she’s behaving.”
“What?”
“Kidding. I wanted to surprise you! Spencer’s Spirits scored the liquor contract for the gala this year. So I’m here representing ole daddio. This means we’ll get to party together at the gala!”
“Oh, that’s amazing! How cool!”
Ralph saunters up beside us and smiles, clearly waiting for an introduction.
“OhmyGod, is this Alf!?” Sasha squeals a bit too loudly for my comfort level.
“Haha,” he chuckles. “It’s Ralph, actually.”
“I know, I know, but old habits die hard. Can we hug? I’m a hugger,” Sasha gushes.
“Sure, I don’t mind a hug.” He smiles.
