I couldn’t believe I hadn’t started Christmas shopping yet. Online shopping wasn’t really for me, so I was sitting with a pad of paper and pen in hand, making my list. What should I get for dad? Hmm. Not another bottle of cologne. Ugh, I just sucked at Christmas shopping!

I wanted to get everyone something perfect, but I lacked creativity and most of the time I got everyone the usual: cologne, perfume, bath set, blah blah blah.

There was a knock at the door. And there it was again. Except it was more like pounding this time. I got up and walked up to the door slowly, careful not to make a sound. My heart raced as I looked through the peephole.

I unlocked and swung the door open.

“Oh my God! What are you doing? You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“Well, I wouldn’t have had to, if you only returned my calls!” Nicole pouted. “I was worried about you!” She shut the door behind her, threw her coat down on a chair by the door, and followed me to the kitchen, where I tried to find some snacks and drinks.

“Coffee, tea? Or wine?” It was Wednesday evening, so hardly prime drinking night, but with Nicole you never knew.

“Wine. I walked.”

She didn’t live far, which was both a blessing and a curse.

“So, tell me, why did you fall off the face of the earth?”

I looked her in the eyes. I was a horrible liar, but didn’t want to tell her the real reason. I knew she was dying for details about my date, but I didn’t want to get into it. As hard as it’s been, I’ve also ignored Conrad’s calls. I knew I had to call him back eventually, but I dreaded it.

“I was busy with work. And my mom’s needed my help.” The last part was true. My mom, who lived across town, has been having health issues. My dad was there to help her, but he often worked late. So, when I was done with work, I’ve been going over there to help her with house work and do some grocery shopping.

“Don’t bullshit me,” she said with a devious smile. “You haven’t worked past five even once since you started. There’s only one reason you’re avoiding me: Mr. Gazillionaire Hottie. You don’t want to tell me about your date,” she said, pouring herself a glass of wine. “Here, you need one, too.” She knew exactly where my wine glasses were, so she pulled one out of a cabinet and poured me a glass. A big one.

“The date was fine.” I led the way to the living room, where I sank into the couch and turned on the TV.

She sat down and turned to me, ignoring the TV.

“Tell me more. You did it, didn’t you? You jumped him!”

I blushed and hoped she wouldn’t notice.

“I wouldn’t call it jumping. There was no jumping going on.”

“Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “You got busy. He fucked you, didn’t he?”

I couldn’t help but crack up. “We were intimate, yes.”

“Eeek!” She practically shrieked. “Tell me about it! Was it good?”

“Yeah, it was.” I bit my lip, remembering the way he felt deep inside.

“So, when are you seeing him again? And does he have any friends?”

“I’m sure he has friends, Nicole, but I’m not seeing him again.”

“What!?” His facial expression was one of pure horror. “Why not?”

I sighed and took a sip. The wine felt great running down my throat. It warmed my chest.

“I’m sure it wouldn’t work out. I mean, look at him, and look at me.”

“What are you talking about? You’re gorgeous. He’d be lucky to have you. And you’re just about the coolest chick in Atlanta.”

I scoffed. “You’re sweet, but be serious. He’s a rich guy. He can have his pick of anyone he wants.”

She swatted at my arm. “And what if he happens to want you? Ever think of that? Have you talked to him at all since the date?”

“No. I haven’t called him.”

“And what about him? Has he called?”

“Yeah. And since I’m sure you’ll ask, he sent texts too, but I’ve ignored them all. Why bother wasting everyone’s time? He belongs with one of those rich heiresses and society girls.”

“Don’t be silly. You have to return his call sooner or later. Why don’t you just go out with him a few times and see how it goes?” She shrugged and smiled. “You never know, he might be your special someone.”

“Good job on that letter, Isabella.”

Wow. A rare compliment from my boss. This was new.

“Now, could I see you in my office, please?”

I rolled my eyes and mouthed “fuck you” into the phone, but with the sweetest voice I could myself, I told him I’ll be right there.

I hung up the phone, smoothed down my skirt, and walked around the corner to his office. It was like a typical lawyer’s office. An impressive looking book case in the back, with row upon row of leather-bound books, and a beautiful desk, covered by stacks of paperwork and pictures of his wife and kids.

“Hi, Mark. How could I help you?”

“Please close the door, Isabella.”

What? What was this about? But I didn’t ask. I turned around and shut the door softly behind me. I sat down across from him and tried not to show how puzzled I was. Soft smile, eyes relaxed, no frowning. That was my neutral face.

“I’ll make this fast. I’m aware that you’ve been fraternizing with a client.”

I kept quiet as I tried to process what he was saying without getting too upset.

“You seem to not know what I’m talking about. I’ll be frank. You were seen out on the town with Mr. Conrad Brock, of ICC Capital Corp. As you know, this is against firm policy because of the complications it can cause in the solicitor-client relationship. So, please, I’d appreciate it if you’d stop. And try to refrain, in the future, from meeting our clients after hours,” he said. His lips set in a tight line, and he looked dead serious.

My head spun and my heart almost jumped out of my throat. Shit! Last weekend! Someone must have seen us out and ratted me out to my boss. I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong—while the policy made sense once I thought about it, no one had expressly stated the rule, so how was I supposed to know? Sure, they hand out those two hundred page policies, but does anyone actually read them?

My lips quivered.

“I’m sorry. Am I fired?”

His eyes softened and he leaned forward. “Not this time. Just be careful in the future, okay?”

Maybe the monster did have a heart, after all.

“Sure. It was just one date, anyways.”

“You don’t have to explain. Just follow the rules.”

“Sure, Mark.”

He looked like he was done with his lecture, so I got up and let myself out.

I breathed a sigh of relief. That was a close one!

It was all okay, because I wasn’t planning to see him again, anyways. This meeting with Mark just confirmed that it was the right decision.