I didn’t like the idea of Evony being at lunch with Mark, because I knew what it would be. I was actually pacing my office, waiting for her to come back so I could make sure everything was okay. When she stayed gone over an hour, I was sure that he had swindled her into a hotel somewhere and now he was going to get the one thing I’d been holding out for. I wanted it so badly I could taste it and I was afraid that he would get it.

I should have been worried about Evony and how she was going to handle him, but it was the first taste that I was worried about more. I wasn’t proud of that fact, but it was the truth. Mark was my boss and Evony was the woman I desired most. The one I was falling for.

When she finally got back in, her makeup was still in place, I don't know why, but it made me feel better. It made me think that everything had worked out fine and that nothing had happened. That was really what I was worried about. I hated the idea of Mark’s hands on her. He was a good boss, but he was a womanizer and he was very good at it. I had learned a lot of my skills from him.

At first, I thought she was going to go to her office like she usually did, but instead she came straight to me. There was a look on her face that wasn't there when she first walked through the elevator and now, I was a little worried. It looked like something had happened.

“So how was it?”

“I think you know how it was Hail. You are the one that warned me.”

I was worried that I was right and something bad had happened. Now I had to ask myself what I was going to do if Mark had something to her?

“What happened?”

It took her a minute to say anything and I could tell that she was bothered by whatever it was she was thinking of. All that did, was make my anxiety go up tenfold and I was trying to figure out what was going on. What did he do?

“You are just right about how he is. I mean he didn't do anything wrong exactly, he was just very… you know.”

I don't know why, but I couldn't stop smiling. He hadn't jumped her bones like I was afraid of, but he had most likely made it known that he wanted her. It was exactly the same thing that I had done, so I couldn't blame him for it. The fact that she came to me was a good sign. If she saw me as a protector, maybe she would see me as more soon.

“But everything is alright, you’re all right?”

“Yeah, I'm fine. There is just something that I wanted to ask you.”

“Oh? What did you want to ask me?”

“I wanted to ask you, if you would go with me tonight.”

For a second, I didn't think we were talking about Mark and I was definitely down to meet her somewhere. I would go anywhere she wanted to go and do my best to make sure that it ended with her back in my bed. Maybe this time she would let me do more...

“Okay, where are we going?”

“We are going to dinner with Mark.”

My face falls and she giggles.

“Why would we go to dinner with Mark?

“Because he asked me to go to dinner and I said yes, before I realized what I was doing. Now I either have to come up with an excuse of why I can't go at the last-minute, pissing him off or I have to go alone. I really don't want to go alone, and I don't want to make him mad, so the only other thing I can think to do is drag you along with me. Please?”

Once again, I was glad that she brought me into it, but at the same time I really did not want to go. Mark wasn't going to be mad at her, but he was going to be mad at me. It would be breaking bro code and I was afraid that Mark would recognize what was going on between me and Evony. He always liked to try and take women away from me. It was just one of those traits that was kind of crappy, but it didn't really bother me because I never had a woman that I was trying to keep.

“I don't know if that is the best idea.”

“Why not?”

“You know that he didn't ask you to go to dinner so that you could talk about work, right?”

“I know Hail, but if I do it this way, then I can just pretend like I thought that's what he wanted to do. Then he won't.”

“He needs to know that you're not interested in him. If you make it more complicated, then he's going to think he has a chance. Is that what you want?”

She looked away and I could tell that she was upset. Evony sat down in the chair after I asked her.

“I know that this is hard for you, but maybe you should just be honest with Mark and tell him that you’re not into him. I have known him a long time and if he thinks there is a shred of hope, he is going to hold onto it as tight as he can. He will just keep pushing the situation until you give in.”

“Do you really think that I would just give it like that?”

I told her honestly that I didn't, because she had far more self-controlled then I was. It wasn’t all that appealing when it was against me.

“Just come with me, okay? I don’t want to go alone. Please? Don’t make me beg you Hail.”

I should have asked her what was in it for me. Maybe I could get her in a compromising situation, but I knew that it would be wrong to do that. I was supposed to be helping her, protecting her. And she had the most innocent look on her face, I couldn’t tell her no. I had to help her and if this was the way to do it, I was going to make an enemy of Mark momentarily, but hopefully it would pay off in the end.

“Fine, but you owe me.”

“I know. I will catch you back for this. You’re saving my life.”

“Well, just dress like the prude that was my assistant. I don’t think he can handle a dress like you wore for Dennis.”

She giggled nervously, but I wasn’t joking. I don’t think Mark, or I, was going to be able to handle her in that dress tonight.