Chasing Love (Dark Love 1)

“It’s going to be a busy day. You know I thrive on a full schedule.”

“Uh-huh, full schedule.” He turns to Emma, whispering, “More like a full load of man juice in her waterhole.”

“Hey, I heard that,” I yell, walking toward my office.

As I open the door, like a crime scene before me, the memories of last night come flooding back. I try to settle in, strapped for time since today has back-to-back client meetings.

“Charlie… earth to Charlie!” Eric is sitting across from me, planner out with his pen in his mouth, watching me with a curious gaze.

“Sorry, Eric, let’s start.”

“Should we start by discussing why it smells like raw, animalistic sex in your office??

??

“You watch too much porn.”

“No… although I do believe I now have an unhealthy obsession with Andrew McCarthy.”

“Um, what? How is that even possible? You were born in like, what…” I count my fingers trying to figure out what year he was born.

“A true gentleman does not reveal his age. Anyway, they played the movie Pretty in Pink last night, and let me tell you, I don’t know at what point they ever thought that dress was prom-worthy. I have dish towels that look better than that.”

“The fact that you’re a Pretty in Pink virgin should’ve been raised a long time ago. It’s like the movie of all movies. Not seeing it is like not knowing Madonna sings ‘Material Girl,’ and I’d like to also point out your dish towels are purchased from the same place the Queen buys them from, thanks to your mother.”

“Fine, so shoot me. Less about tea towels and back to your bang-bang on the desk.”

“Sorry, E, subject closed. We have a brief to work on.”

“You’re such a party pooper, Charlie.”

“Yeah, preach it to the world with your hundred-dollar royal dish towels.”

We briefed for an hour before Eric left my office. The first few appointments were nothing out of the ordinary until I heard a knock on my door. “Come in.”

“Charlie, there’s someone for here for you.” Eric glances at me nervously.

Oh fuck, please don’t tell me it’s Lex. There’s no way I can resist him, and I’m not comfortable fucking him in broad daylight with the whole office present.

“Who is it?”

“Mrs. Benson.”

“I don’t know who that is, but fine, let her in.”

He leaves the room, returning with her a few moments later.

“Hello, Charlie.”

“Samantha?”

In my head, all I hear is the imperial march from Star Wars, and she’s Darth Vader. The realization of her inside my office is surreal. A week ago, I hadn’t seen Lex for nine years. Not only have I fucked him, now I’m standing here in my office with his ex-wife, the woman whose life I broke by my immature indiscretion.

“I’m sorry I didn’t arrange a meeting. Can we talk?” she asks.

I motion for her to sit. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“I want to apologize. Charlie, I’m sorry. The whole thing with Alex…”