fighting it, woman? And just take a gift as a compliment?”
She searches my eyes, alarmed by the firmness of my voice. Any other woman would probably not understand my reaction, but she does. Kim sees right through me.
She knows I’m struggling to find a way to express how happy I am. How I want to shower her with my appreciation for the weekend. I want to make her feel beautiful.
“Okay,” she says in a quiet voice as a soft smile spreads across her face. “But you should know I definitely have no idea how to behave myself in a store like this,” she adds with a laugh.
“Good, that makes two of us!”
By the time we walk through the doors, we are both laughing.
Kim seems as bewildered and lost as I am in this place. We have built ourselves an entourage of people who want to assist us in finding the perfect piece. I encourage her to take her time, to choose whatever she likes. Sometimes I see a flash of guilt on her face, but when I kiss her fingers gently, she is reassured again.
Finally, after what feels like hours, Kim has decided on a necklace. It’s dainty and discreet in rose-gold but the pendant glitters with diamonds. I agree, this is the one that most suits her style.
I slip it on her and stand behind her as we stare at each other in the reflection of a long mirror. This is how we look together. We look good.
She touches the necklace, then looks up at me with a smile.
“It’s beautiful, Kirk, thank you.”
“But not even close to as beautiful as you are,” I say.
We have to leave now if we’re going to make it in time for the flight. I look after the purchase, and we leave the store together, hand-in-hand again.
In the car, we kiss and she laughs giddily. I notice the way she touches the necklace, and I’m glad I thought of this. Now, no matter what happens in our future, she will have something to remember me by.
Two weeks later
I can’t claim that our lives have returned to normal because they haven’t. What we have now isn’t the normal I used to know, but it is pretty darn good.
At first, after the trip to Las Vegas, I didn’t know what to expect from our relationship. I wasn’t lying when I said I need her at work. At the end of the day, I don’t want to mess up my efficiency at the office.
But the funny thing is, Kim and I have fallen into a rhythm that works for us. At the office, we are the epitome of professionalism. Even when we are in my office alone, I don’t turn the blinds on so we can have a quickie. I never touch her inappropriately. She never touches me at all.
If anyone really investigates, they will find that I am probably more productive now than I have ever been before. I am gentler and kinder with people. I’m in better spirits at board meetings. I’ve been making stronger deals with our associates. I have to give credit to Kim where credit is due.
Her efficacy at the job makes me more efficient and having her around the office makes me happy. I like looking up and seeing her at her desk, typing or speaking to someone on the phone. When our eyes meet, she smiles and looks away. Completely innocent. Nobody would suspect.
The only thing we allow each other—a trend started by her several weeks ago before the first time we were together—is we exchange notes. I find hers discreetly hidden in spots around my office. I slip mine onto her desk or inside her purse. This has turned into a game for us now. To the extent that we rarely ever text or call each other. Whatever we have to say to each other during the day is all exchanged through notes. It keeps me on my toes. I love seeing the smile on her face when she finds a secret note from me.
Outside the office, we are free. I don’t work long hours anymore, not now that I have something to look forward to after work.
We go out for dinners. I’ve cooked for her a few times, and she always stays over at my place. She has never invited me to hers, and I understand why. Things can get complicated there, and we want to avoid it.
We are having fun. What we have right now is casual