I worked late that Monday night. I had a feeling I wouldn’t see Lucy at Eleanor’s house tonight, or any other night, any time soon, and I wanted to say something to make it right − even though I hadn’t an inkling of what that could be. The truth was that from the beginning I had treated Lucy like garbage, taking her up on her numerous offers when I felt like it and casting her aside when someone better, someone like Claire, came along. Not to say that she was innocent, but she had the power of love on her side. Lucy was in love with me. The feeling wasn’t mutual but I didn’t waste time exploiting it whenever I felt the need. It was unfair and dishonest. She deserved better. I waited until the last of our team trickled out of the office − of course it was Jim, who probably hadn’t recovered from the short spur of attention Lucy had lavished on him while she was trying to get back at me. I printed an article I’d been slaving over for the past two hours, failing to find the right words, my mind occupied elsewhere − romance does not belong on the workfloor and there’s a good reason for that.

“Hey boss, can I talk to your for a second?” Lucy looked at her watch and pulled a dismissive face.
“Is it urgent? I have somewhere to be.” Yeah right, I thought. Next you’ll make me believe you’re going back to men. But I played along.
“I’ve been struggling with this piece on−”
“When’s it due?”
“Thursday.”
“Then give it some time and if you’re still having problems on Wednesday, come−” She stopped mid-sentence. Wednesday was my day off. My day with Sarah.
“Look, it’s not about the article. We both know that.” She got up and started piling papers into her briefcase. “Please, Lucy. Can we talk?”
“Say what you have to say, Lee. I’m listening.” She stretched her back and leaned against the window sill. The night was almost black behind her. She looked so indifferent, so unreachable.
“I’m sorry you had to see that in my calendar and I’m sorry that I’ve hurt you. I haven’t treated you right, I know that.”
“There’s really no need for apologies. This thing between us has dragged on long enough. I won’t treat you differently in the office and your job is not in danger. There, happy?”
“It’s not about the job, Lucy. It’s about, huh, us, I guess.”
“When was there ever an us? When you dumped me for Claire? When you used me to get back at her?” What was I trying to salvage here, anyway?
“Can we at least be friends?”
“Friends?” She spat the word out like it was a rotten piece of meat. “What is it, Lee? Do you feel me slipping away? Are you getting anxious I won’t be there at your beck and call anymore?” When did she learn to read me like that? “I’m done with you. Over and done.” My frustration grew. I had never made her any promises and I had certainly never double-crossed her. She was the one who tried to trick me into bed any chance she got. I had no idea what I was doing anymore. Maybe I should call Vivian, I thought. She made me create the mess I was in, the least she could do was guide me out of it.
“Well, I’m glad for you, Lucy. Really, I am.” I dropped the sheet of paper on the floor and walked out, collected my jacket and bag, and, without looking back, exited the building. It all felt much more dramatic than it ought to.

To be continued…