Chapter 26
What a day!
Megan was downstairs in her condo, sitting on her couch, her feet propped up on the charcoal grey floor pouf she used as an ottoman. Even though it was now close to four o’clock and she had logged off from work nearly an hour ago, she was still dressed for the office in fitted black slacks and a white blouse. The only concession she had made to being off the clock was that she had unbuttoned two more buttons on her blouse, revealing the white bralette she was wearing.
She took another drink of wine, noticing her glass was almost empty.
F
uck it…
So, she downed the rest of the glass and refilled it from the bottle of Riesling she had propped up next to her on the couch. In a few moments, the refill—her third, she thought—was almost gone as well.
Her doorbell rang at a little after four o’clock.
Vanessa!
Megan hopped up off the couch to answer it, realizing instantly that that probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do with three glasses of wine already in her system. She wobbled when she got to her feet and almost toppled over but somehow managed to stay upright.
“Fuck!” she said aloud.
She made it to the door without any further wobbles and opened it.
“Hi!” she greeted Vanessa, a little loudly.
Vanessa just stood there, cocking one eyebrow, an amused expression on her face as she looked Megan up and down.
Momentarily confused, Megan wondered what the hell, and then she looked down at herself, saw her wide-open blouse and said, “Fuck! Sorry!” She gestured to Vanessa to come in as she started re-buttoning her shirt.
“Oh, don’t apologize,” Vanessa said, stepping inside. “There are worse ways to greet me. In fact,” she continued, taking hold of Megan’s hips, “this is kind of sexy. Do you wanna be my boss lady today, because I can totally get into you reprimanding me if you’re dressed like this.”
Megan’s hand shot to her face and her eyes widened.
“Oh my God, don’t say that!” she exclaimed. She knew she should have been wildly turned on right now but Vanessa’s comment hit a little too close to the mark to what was stressing her out.
Vanessa stepped away and Megan wished she had just kept her mouth shut. Mind-blowing sex on top of all that wine was something she could use right now to help take the edge off the day.
“Okay, what’s wrong?” Vanessa asked.
Megan stepped past her into the living room. She tried to concentrate on walking normally but apparently failed because Vanessa noticed something off.
“And have you been drinking?” Vanessa asked, following Megan.
Megan plopped down on the couch and held up the half-finished bottle of Riesling.
“Yes. I’ve had a crap day and so I started without you.”
Vanessa sat down next to Megan, turning to face her. She tucked a stray lock of Megan’s hair behind her ear. Megan sighed, feeling comfort from that simple gesture. She was so glad Vanessa was here and, frighteningly, not just because Vanessa represented sex.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” Vanessa whispered.
“I had to fire someone today,” Megan said without looking at her companion. Saying the words made her reach for the bottle again and refill her glass. She silently gave Vanessa credit for not stopping her.
“Wow, that sucks,” Vanessa stated.
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Megan agreed. “I’m sorry, where are my manners? I need to offer you some wine.”
She started to rise so she could fetch a glass for Vanessa, but Vanessa gently prevented her from doing so by placing her hand on Megan’s arm, keeping Megan seated.