All four of us met for happy hour on Wednesday and I was so glad we were all being reunited. We’ve all been so wrapped up in our own things that we haven’t had a chance to see each other. Carly swung by and got me from work so we could meet Kendra and Preston at a spot on the west side.

We sat at a hightop table and ordered drinks and mozzarella sticks.

“How’s your new position?” I asked Kendra as we waited for our goodies to come.

“Honestly, it’s kind of stressful. Before I was basically just the office bitch and now I’m transitioning into a more important role. I’m helping do research and making appearances in court. This is actually what I went to school for,” Kendra said.

“And they still have you dressing like Kohl’s had a liquidation sale, I see,” Preston said. 

We all laughed.

“Yeah, I don’t mind it though,” Kendra said.

“It probably helps keeps the guys at bay. We don’t need another scandal with an intern.” Preston looked pointedly at me.

“Whatever happened with that? Have you talked to him?” Kendra asked.

“No. Fuck him,” I scoffed. 

“I think that was the problem,” Preston said and everyone laughed.

I rolled my eyes and explained to them what’s been going on in the office lately with Whitney and Amanda.

“Reese, you’re so above that,” Kendra said. “Those girls are loving getting under your skin. Don’t let them distract you from doing your job.”

“That’s exactly what Brady said!” I practically shouted.

“How’s our favorite nerdy pharmacist doing?” Preston asked.

“Good,” I said coyly. I couldn’t help smiling and blushing at hearing his name. Ugh. What’s happening to me?

“Chris said he really likes you!” Carly put in just as the waitress brought our drinks and a tray of mozzarella sticks.

“Really? Chris said that?!” I exclaimed. Obviously Brady likes me, but if he’s discussing his feelings with Chris then that’s major.

Carly finished chewing the stick she had shoved in her mouth. “Yeah. He said Brady talks about you all the time.”

“What does he say?!” 

I was dying to know what Brady thinks. Does he think I’m relationship material? Does he think I’m a dumbass? Does he want to fuck me?!

“Chris didn’t say. Good things obviously.”

I made a mental note to ask Carly to pry Chris and find out exactly what was said. I must know! 

Preston began telling us about his boyfriend, who he refers to as Mr. Murphy which is weird. Apparently Mr. Murphy is very successful in the stock market and just bought a Tesla S. 

“I’m hoping he buys a car for me next,” Preston said.

I would love a boyfriend who would just take me on random vacations and buy me a car. I wonder if Brady is opposed to it. I mean, apparently he does like me “a lot.”

After happy hour and several beers, Carly was supposed to drop me off then go to Chris and Brady’s. I told her that I would just go with her. I could surprise Brady! I wasn’t sure what time he got off work, but it was almost 9:00. Surely he wasn’t still slaving at the hospital.

Chris let us in and I immediately asked if Brady was home.

“Yeah, he’s in the dining room,” Chris replied and I pushed past him.

I found Brady sitting at the dining room table engrossed in his laptop. He didn’t see me approaching so I squealed, “Hiii!” and jumped in his lap.

“Hey!” he said, surprised.

I kissed him. “Long time no see, huh?”

“I was beginning to forget what you look like,” Brady said. 

“What are you working on?” I asked, turning toward his MacBook. A spreadsheet with a bunch of names and numbers filled the screen.

“Just some stuff for work.”

“You’re off the clock now. Put your work away and have fun.” I turned back toward him and tugged his tie. I do believe in working hard – when I’m at work. As soon as I leave the office, I want nothing to do with any of that shit. 

Brady didn’t say anything or move so I reached over and shut his laptop. I felt his body kind of deflate.

“Are you a workaholic, Brady?” I asked, sensing that he wanted to continue working.

“Not really, but I wanted to finish that tonight,” he answered.

“Finish it later. Let’s go to your room.” I hopped up and dragged him out of his chair and down the hall to his bedroom.

“What did you do tonight?” Brady asked as he untied his tie.

“We went to happy hour. It’s our Wednesday tradition, duh,” I answered. I sat on the bed and started taking selfies for SnapChat.

“Duh? Is that something I should’ve known?”

“You should have my entire life and schedule memorized by now,” I said, not looking up from my phone.

“Got it. Give me a second to write that in my planner.”

I looked up and Brady was taking off his dress shirt so he was just in slacks and a white undershirt. He looked so damn hot. I watched him place his tie and shirt in the closet then come back out and sit on the bed next to me. I could smell his cologne – Armani or something – and it was intoxicating.

“You smell good,” I said.

“Thank you.”

We just kind of looked at each other and for the first time I could actually feel the sexual electricity between us. It wasn’t just me this time. He had a lusty look in his eyes and I could tell that he wanted me. We leaned in and started making out, kind of timidly at first then he wrapped an arm around my waist and used his body to push me back on the bed. He pulled my shirt over my head then I took his off and ran my hands along his smooth toned back. He began kissing me with more aggression and rubbing my bare thighs. Thank God I shaved. 

I reached down and fussed with his belt buckle until I got it undone then unzipped and unbuttoned his pants. I could feel that he was hard. Brady moved down to my neck and I let out an agonized moan. I could feel his dick on my leg and more than anything I wanted him inside me. My vagina was literally pulsating for him. But then I got these images in my head. Kendra rolling her eyes. BJ smirking up at me in my bed. Eric. Eric’s breakup text. Diana glaring at me across her desk. I couldn’t have sex with Brady. I felt like I was going to vomit.

I’ve denied guys sex before (all the time actually) but only when they were douchebags and I didn’t care if they were pissed. But Brady wasn’t being a douchebag and I didn’t want him to have to say no to him. So I had no idea what to do. 

I quickly pushed him off and jumped off the bed.

“Let’s go hang out with Carly and Chris,” I said, putting my shirt back on. It was the only thing I could think to say. I turned back to the bed where Brady was laying, shirtless with his pants undone. He looked bewildered, hurt almost, and I felt awful that I had gotten him all worked up. 

“I will meet you there,” he finally said after almost a full minute. 

I found Carly and Chris in the basement and by the time I got down there I was so aggravated with myself. Could I have handled it any more ungracefully? Brady probably thinks I’m some sort inexperienced, prude virgin. I should’ve politely explained that I wasn’t comfortable doing anything more than kissing. He would understand. But I was the one who started undressing him so he probably thinks I’m bipolar and crazy in addition to everything else. Which I am, honestly.

I sat down watching Chris and Carly for a moment then I realized that I really, really just wanted to leave. I didn’t want to see Brady.

“Carly, can we leave?” I suddenly asked.

“Right now? Can Brady take you?” she asked. 

“Yes now! Please.”

Carly looked at me, concerned, then turned back to Chris. “I gotta go.”

I knew I was being a brat, but at that moment I didn’t care. She and Chris took ten minutes to say their goodbyes then I dragged her out of there without saying goodbye to Brady. I’ll make up an excuse later.

“What was that all about? Did something happen with you and Brady?” Carly asked on the way to my apartment.

“Ugh,” I groaned. “I probably just gave him the worst case of blue balls of his life.”

“Did you guys hook up?!” Carly’s eyes got wide.

“Not quite. But he wanted to. And I wanted to. But I’m trying to refrain from having sex with him.”

“If you both want to then why are you still waiting?”

“Because…” Carly obviously doesn’t realize what I’m trying to achieve here. “Kendra concluded that sex always ruins things with me and guys. And I actually don’t want to ruin things with Brady.”

She gave me a warm smile. “That’s the cutest thing ever, Reese. How long are you going to be able to wait though?”

Good question.