Posted on: Wednesday, 28 January 2009
"So what'd you decide?"
Corinne sighed and hit a quick-key on her keyboard to save her work before turning around. "Decide about what?"
Roger was leaning up against the side of her desk and had his arms crossed casually across his chest. "My message."
She smiled a bit. "It was cute."
"Great! So we're on for dinner?"
"I didn't say that."
"Well, you didn't not say that," he reasoned. "If you have other plans, I understand. But the offer is sincere. I just didn't want you to think that I'm a total jackass."
Cory pursed her lips. "Well...my mother invited me out to dinner on Saturday..."
He uncrossed his arms and held up his hands, smiling genteely. "No problem. No offense taken."
"No, no, that's not what I was saying. I mean, yeah, I should go, but..." She pursed her lips again thoughtfully, resting her chin in her hand.
"But your family drives you nuts?"
The blond smiled ruefully. "Pretty much."
"And I drive you nuts?"
"Not exactly," she countered, raising her head and leaning back in her chair to meet his gaze. "I just didn't like your behavior on Monday."
"I know." He shrugged. "Didn't make the best first impression. But, that's why I'm offering to make it up to you. If you survive shrimp scampi with me and still think I'm scum, then fair is fair and I'll leave you alone. We'll do what everyone else in the office does: politely ignore each other."
"I don't know. My fam-" The telephone on her desk let off a shrill, unexpected call for attention that interrupted her train of thought. Cory sighed and held up a ‘just a sec' finger at her coworker as she answered the phone. "Advanced Technology Instruments of America; Corinne speaking."
"Hey."
Her brows knit together in momentary confusion. "Who is– oh! Hi!"
"I don't have time to talk right now," Ksaria's voice said from the other end. "Just wanted to let you know I appreciated the ride home day before last."
