Page 10 of The Substitute
“What?”
“I’m telling you, you like him,” she says, narrowing her eyes.
“Look—”
“He doesn’t just not bother you. You’re hot for him.”
“Is he attractive?” Sidney asks, reaching for her phone. “Hell, I’ll google him. What’s his name?”
“Derek Langley,” I reply and bite my lip. This is fun. And a little nerve-racking. “He’s British. So, he does have a sexy accent.”
“Oh,” Sid says, turning the phone so the others can see. “Yeah, he’s fucking attractive.”
“Hot,” Stella agrees. “Dang, Maya, you should go for it. Wait, is he married?”
“He doesn’t wear a ring.” I consider that, tapping my finger on my chin. “Of course, not everyone does. I don’t think he’s married.”
“I can’t find any evidence of a wife,” Sidney says, tapping on her phone some more. “Unless it’s recent.”
“He’s my boss,” I reply, shaking my head. “Sure, there’s some chemistry there, but I work for him. I don’t think that’s ethical.”
I’ve caught him looking at my lips several times, and when we stand close together, he shoves his hands in his pockets as if he’s restraining himself to keep from touching me.
But maybe that’s all just in my head.
“You said yourself it’s only a thirty-day assignment,” Liv says, waving me off. “I say take those thirty days and have fun with them.”
“We’re going straight to the lingerie department,” Stella decides.
“You guys.” I laugh but don’t stop them from pulling me to the intimates section, where they choose lots of lacy, silky, beautiful things for me to try. “What if I’m being silly, and he wants no part in anything sexy with me?”
“Number one, he’d be stupid,” Sid says. “And number two, if he’s not interested, someone else will be.”
“You have a point. Okay, let’s do this.”
* * * *
Today was the best Saturday I’ve had in my life.
And also maybe the longest.
Certainly, the most expensive.
This morning, we started at nine with the spa, then went shopping after lunch. We closed the department stores down. We even spent several hours in the makeup and skincare section.
I’ve never spent this much money in my life, but I have to admit, it was totally worth it.
It’s past ten at night when I lug all my bags into the condo and drop them in the middle of the living room before padding into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of wine.
I’ve decided that tomorrow will be for organizing my closet with all my new finds, cleaning up around here, and maybe going for a hike if I can find my way to a hiking trail that isn’t too far away. I’ll have to do some research in the morning in between my chores.
For now, I carry my wine into the main suite and get ready for bed. I’m exhausted after my amazing day.
* * * *
I wish the weekend had been longer.
It’s not that I don’t want to go to work this morning, it’s just that I have this new, big wardrobe now and am nervous I won’t know how to put it all together. I don’t want to look stupid or like I’m trying to impress Derek. I should really just stick with what I’ve been wearing.