Four
Parker
Parkerworkedon putting in the last of the design element’s changes so he could get them finalized and sent to the trade show exhibit company they used before the end of the day, running his mouse over the cat-themed mouse pad his desk now had.
Darren’schair creaked as it turned around behindParker, just before he heard his teammate and friend say, “So,Isee you haven’t taken the cats down yet.”
“Well, you know me.Ilovecats.”Kelli—and probablyValeria, he was guessing—had put a lot of effort into this.Itwould be a shame to waste such hard work.Aprank as good as this one deserved to stick around for a few days.Hetweaked the dimensions on the plans a bit until they looked perfect.
“Idon’t think it’s the cat that you’re so fond of.”
“Haha,”Parkersaid without even turning around.
“Ithink you’re fond of the girl who put it up.”
“Kelli?”
“Obviously.”
Parkershook his head. “Wejust like to annoy each other.Likeyou’re doing with me right now.”
Heclicked save on the plans and then sent a message to his boss.Alldone.Takea look?
Darrendidn’t respond, but he also didn’t hear his coworker’s chair turn back to his desk, soParkerturned around in his chair to face him.
“I’mjust saying that deep down,Ithink you want to ask her on a date.”
“Darren,Ijustgot out of a serious relationship.”
Theguy shook his head. “Nope.Thatwas over two months ago.It’stime.”
“Whosays that two months is the standard amount of time to get over an engagement and move on?”
“Dude.There’sno standard.It’sdifferent for every person and for every relationship.I’mtelling you that for you, with that breakup, it’s time.”Darrenstood up and walked over toParker’sdesk, leaning against the framework of his cubicle.
Parkerturned back around in his chair to face his computer screen. “AndIthink you don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
“Weall know why you do the initial spiel at trade shows.Imean, you’ve got that face that’s all symmetrical and that deep voice.Peoplelike listening to people with pretty faces.Nowtell me why they have me talk to the ones who are interested in learning more.”
“Becauseeven when people tell you they’re not interested, you won’t stop bugging them about it?”
Parkerbarely caught sight of the stuffed cat as it flew toward him, and barely turned in time to catch it.
“No, pretty boy.It’sbecauseI’mgood at reading people.”Hecaught the cat thatParkerthrew at him and then pointed at him with it. “AndI’mtelling you that you’re ready to date again, whether you think you are or not.Askher out already.”
“Wealready went out.”
Thelook onDarren’sface was comical.Amix of shock and surprise and disbelief.Apparently, he wasn’t good at reading everything.
Darrengrabbed his chair and pulled it across the aisle and sat down facingParker. “When?Whydid you not tell me about this?”
“Relax,Darren.Itwas like two-and-a-half years ago.RightafterIfirst started working here.”
“Whathappened?Howdid it go?”
Parkerlet out a breath of a laugh, shaking his head.Somuch of that date had been awkward. “Notwell.MyauntAftynbumped into us at the restaurant and asked, ‘Aww!Isthis the girl you were telling me all about?I’mso happy to see you together.No, wait.Thegirl you told me about had brown hair…Whyaren’t you dating her anymore?’”
“You’remaking that up.”
