After Office Hours

by E Caroline Wilson

  After he was spent, he pulled her tightly against him and held her as if he never wanted to let her go, and she happily relaxed in his embrace.

  *****

  David opened his eyes, immediately sensing he was not alone. He turned his head to look at Devin sleeping beside him. Even in sleep she was lovely. The linens were pulled up to her chest, barely covering the swell of her breasts. He could see the rhythmic rise and fall as she breathed. Her hair was fanned out against the pillow, resembling a dark, fluffy cloud.

  Last night had been every bit as good as he’d hoped, and then some. But now that he had seen Devin naked and made love to her, he felt ashamed of himself. He’d done her a terrible injustice by being so eager to seek out the sex tape that had distressed her so much. He knew she would have sought his counsel on what to do about it even if she didn’t have the more urgent problem of unwanted attentions from her coworker. Fortunately for him, she’d never know he’d seen it, and so help him, he’d never look at it again. He’d delete it from his hard drive the moment he returned home. Not only did it sicken him now to think of watching Devin with another man, but she deserved better. She deserved honesty and truth, and all good things. He vowed to do right by her, as long as she was part of his life and even after.

  And although this was only supposed to be a quick fling, right now, he didn’t like to imagine a time when Devin DaCosta wasn’t part of his life.

  Chapter 11

  The closer they got to Manhattan, the heavier Devin’s heart felt. The Hamptons seemed as if it had all been a dream, and now she was returning to face Mama’s certain disapproval.

  They made small talk as David took the bridge into Manhattan, and before Devin knew it, they were back in Hamilton Heights.

  “OK, let’s see if I can find a space,” David muttered as they drove down St. Nicholas Avenue.

  “David, you don’t have to come upstairs with me.”

  “Yes, I do. Oh look, there’s a spot. I hope it’s not a fire hydrant.”

  The opening turned out to be a legitimate parking space, and David expertly parallel parked.

  Devin liked how he walked with her to her apartment door. It seemed perfectly natural for him to come inside. With Mama working at the hotel today, at least she didn’t have to worry about her being frosty to David.

  “It’s quiet,” he remarked upon walking into the apartment. “I guess your mom’s at work?”

  “At the hotel, yes. She’s not crazy about working Sundays, but it’s a busy day at the hotel. They have large groups, for weddings and parties, checking out in the morning, and a lot of businesspeople checking in in the afternoon. But she manages. She usually goes to early Mass.”

  “So you’re Catholic?”

  “Yes. I have to confess—no pun intended,” she said with a chuckle, “that I’m not as devout as she is. I get to Mass maybe half a dozen times in a year. I’d probably go more often if Mama didn’t have to work Sundays; I’d go with her to a later service.” She looked at him curiously. “What about you, David? Are you religious?” She didn’t want to come right out and ask his religion.

  “I believe in God, but I admit I go to church even less often than you do. I’m afraid I’m more of a wedding and funeral kind of guy.”

  She thought about inviting him to escort her to the wedding she would be attending at the end of the month, but decided against it. As much as she would love to show up with him on her arm—Glenys Tejada was a friend of Joe’s as well as hers, and he was likely to be present—Mama had a valid point about David being accustomed to much fancier weddings than this one would be. She didn’t want David to feel like he was slumming.

  “Can I get you a drink?” she said instead. “We don’t have any beer or liquor in the house, but we always have wine on hand.”

  “Just some water. I still have to brave a hundred blocks of city traffic.” He chuckled. “But I am a little hungry. How about I order some Chinese food for us? Is there anyone nearby who delivers?”

  *****

  Forty-five minutes later they sat down at the small, round dining table for four with their water—poured from the two-and-a-half-gallon dispenser jug she kept in the refrigerator—and several cartons of Chinese food. “I have to say it’s pretty nice, knowing I’ll see you tomorrow,” David remarked.

  “Nice, but a little weird,” she replied. “I’ll be introduced to you, and we’ll nod at each other like we’re meeting for the first time, with no one having any idea that we spent the weekend together.” She couldn’t keep the glumness she felt out of her voice.

  “I know it’s strange, Devin, but believe me, it’s for the best. We don’t want anyone to learn the details of our professional relationship. Besides, the partners wouldn’t approve of us having a personal involvement.”

  “Why?” she demanded, suddenly suspicious. “Because I’m black?”

  “No, Devin, that’s not it at all,” he replied, his voice patient and soothing. “They don’t want employees dating each other. It’s not outright forbidden unless one party works under the direct supervision of the other party, but it’s ‘frowned upon,’ meaning that anyone who does can forget about advancement.”

  Devin forced herself to calm down. She would only be working at Holt & Cotten for a few months, but David had to consider his career. She couldn’t expect him to put his ambition aside for her.

  “The partners feel romantic entanglements at work are unprofessional and can lead to difficulty conducting business,” David explained in that same calm voice. “We can continue seeing each other. I know I’d like that, and I hope you’d like it, too.” At her nod he went on. “We just have to be discreet and keep it out of the office. I’m trying to build a professional reputation. You’re trying to learn the legal profession. What say we concentrate on our careers while in the office and on each other after office hours?”

  “That’s fine with me,” Devin said. Her cheekbones strained to control her smile as hope crept into her heart. He wants to see me again…

  *****

  She walked with him to the door when it was time for him to leave. He took her in his arms. “I hate to see this weekend come to an end,” he murmured, his cheek pressed against hers.

  “So do I, David.” She tried to keep the fervor she felt out of her voice, only partially successful.

  Reluctantly, he released her. “Guess I’d better get going. I know you’ll want to do your preparations for work tomorrow and get a good night’s sleep.”

  “Yes, I intend to do both. I just hope I can keep a straight face when we’re introduced tomorrow.”

  *****

  When Mama arrived home from work, Devin had her plate ready: Her favorite Chinese mixed fried rice with chicken, pork, and shrimp, plus an egg roll. David had thoughtfully suggested that they order a meal for her to have when she came home. “Hi, Mama,” she greeted brightly. “How was work?”

  “The same as usual on Sunday, very busy. They had a full house. A couple of weddings.” Mama gave her an unsmiling stare. “And how was your weekend?”

  “It was lovely.” A happy memory of lying close to David in bed, moaning in pleasure as he filled her, formed in her head. She felt her cheeks warming. “Obviously, you got my text.”

  “Yes, I did. How very convenient, for it to storm so violently just when it was time for you to come home.”

  “Oh, come on, Mama. You make it sound as though David planned for those thunderstorms.”

  “I know that only God controls the weather, Devin. But as sure as I stand here before you, I also know that David Andrews planned for you to spend the night with him. If it hadn’t been for that storm, he would’ve come up with some other excuse. Car trouble, maybe.”

  “Oh, Mama. I wish you’d stop.”

  “You say you were at his parents’ house. Were they there, too?”

  “No, just David and me. His parents stayed in the city.” At the triumphant smile her mother flashed, she said, “What?”

 
“I’m just not surprised, that’s all. Why do you think he brought you way out to the Hamptons, away from anyone he knows? He wants to keep you hidden.”

  “Mama, it’s still a little cool on Long Island. The summer season doesn’t kick off until Memorial Day weekend. That’s probably why his parents weren’t there.”

  “Did he invite you back there for the holiday?”

  “No, Mama, he didn’t, but there’s still time for that. Not that I could go, anyway. Glenys is getting married that weekend, remember?” Devin didn’t say that she was considering inviting David to accompany her to the wedding. “Sit down and enjoy your dinner. By the way, it was David’s idea to get something for you, too.”

  Mama replied with a grunt.

  *****

  “David Andrews, one of our attorneys.” Carla DiNapoli, the pregnant receptionist, waved her hand toward him as she and Devin stood in the doorway of his office. She was giving Devin a tour of the office and introducing her to the staff. “David, this is Devin DaCosta. She’s going to be manning the reception desk while I’m on maternity leave.”

  David stood, a courtesy few of the other male attorneys had demonstrated. Following his cue, Devin moved forward. “Hello, David,” she said, extending her hand. “My mom has spoken very highly of you.” Her back to Carla, she gave him a wink and a smile.

  He drew in his breath in a masterful performance—they’d rehearsed it yesterday at her apartment. “Amparo mentioned that you’d be filling in. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Behind her, Devin heard Carla gasp. It will be all over the office in twenty minutes that I’m the cleaning woman’s daughter, she thought. “Same here,” she said to David.

  “Well, welcome aboard. I hope you enjoy your time here at Holt & Cotten.”

  “Thank you.” She backed away before turning to leave.

  Carla wasted no time. They’d barely stepped outside his office when she said, “Amparo, the lady who cleans the office, is your mother?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Does Marianne know?”

  She looked eager, Devin thought, as if she couldn’t wait to run and tell Marianne if she didn’t already know.

  “Of course she knows,” she replied breezily. “It was my mother who told me about the job opening. She saw it posted.” That was the scenario she and David had agreed upon. Since the question of a referral hadn’t come up during her interview, she’d followed David’s advice and told Marianne about her mother first thing this morning when she reported for work, prefacing it by saying how glad she was her mother had seen the posting. Marianne had looked surprised, but neither shocked nor dismayed, when she learned the identity of Devin’s mother. “I should have realized,” she said in her pleasant manner. “You resemble Amparo.”

  Devin had merely smiled.

  “Oh,” Carla said now. She looked disappointed, and Devin would bet a hundred bucks that she would mention their familial relationship to Marianne at the first opportunity, just to make sure she knew.

  Devin realized how wise David had been to insist that no one in the office know about either their personal involvement or that he had helped her handle the removal of the sex tape from the Internet. Holt & Cotten was a small firm, but Carla’s reaction to learning about her mother convinced Devin that its grapevine was every bit as healthy as that of a much larger business.

  Upon meeting Portia James, the black female attorney of whom Mama was so fond, Devin also mentioned her mother. Portia, like David, responded positively. Unlike David, her surprise at learning Devin’s identity was genuine.

  Devin couldn’t help thinking how different her life would be had Portia been in the office that day when Mama arranged for an attorney to consult with her. To think she owed her relationship with David to an orthodontist. All I can say is, God bless that child’s buckteeth.

  *****

  Over the next three days she quickly adjusted to her new job. The people, with one exception, were friendly, and she got along well with Carla, who often happily prattled on about her coming baby, due in just two weeks. Devin found herself feeling a little envious. Carla was a year younger than she was, and she had a husband and was about to have a baby as well.

  Funny, but whenever she thought about settling down lately, images of David always appeared in her head.

  Actually, she found herself thinking about David even when she wasn’t entertaining thoughts of marriage and a family.

  Carla spoke in a low, conspiratorial tone. “She thinks she’s being so cool, but anybody can tell she’s set her sights on David Andrews.”

  The sound of David’s name jerked Devin back to earth. “I’m sorry, Carla. What did you say?”

  “I was talking about Melanie Daniels. She just gave me some work to do for one of David’s cases. She’s nuts about him. Not that I blame her. He’s the best-looking attorney at the firm, and he’s single.”

  Devin felt a stabbing feeling in her chest. “Oh? What makes you think Melanie’s interested in him?”

  “Oh, the way she fawns over him. Her voice gets sweet as sugar whenever she talks to him. It’s just sickening.”

  Devin absorbed that information. She’d have to be careful around Melanie…

  *****

  David called her every evening, after she was at home. Sometimes he was still at the office, working. Devin loved chatting with him, but wished he would say something about when they would see each other again. On Sunday he’d said he wanted their relationship to continue, but the weekend was approaching and he had yet to make any suggestions. Had he changed his mind? Did he now only plan to see her at work, where they had to pretend not to know each other, until her assignment ended?

  He must have been reading her thoughts, because that evening he said, “I’m glad the job is going well for you, Devin. I want you to know I really want to see you again outside of the office. I’m just trying to figure out where I can take you without running the risk of someone seeing us. The staff of Holt & Cotten has a long arm…the east side, the west side, the Village…it even reaches out to the Hamptons and the Vineyard.”

  That didn’t surprise her. The partners probably owned summer homes, and the associates could probably afford to rent vacation homes for the season.

  “Of course, there’s always my apartment,” he said. “We can always order take-out.”

  Devin brightened at the prospect of seeing David’s apartment, maybe even meeting his family, since they all lived in the same building. But there was something else she’d been giving a lot of thought to, and she decided to act on it. “I know someplace where we’re guaranteed not to run into anyone from the firm.”

  He expressed instant interest. “Oh, yeah? Where?”

  She hesitated only briefly. “A friend of mine is getting married in New Jersey. I’d already RSVP’d for one, but I’m sure she wouldn’t be upset if I called her and asked to change it to two. That is, if…” she left the question dangling.

  “I’d love to go with you, Devin.”

  She drew in her breath. “Really?”

  It sounds perfect. I don’t think anyone from the firm lives in Jersey. When is it?”

  “Next Saturday.”

  “Okay, so that takes care of next weekend. This weekend you’ll come to my place.”

  “Sounds good. But, David…”

  “Hmm?”

  “I just want you to know…” Her mother’s warning echoed inside her head. “My friend’s wedding won’t be as…as elegant as the weddings you’re accustomed to attending.”

  “I enjoy new experiences as much as you do, Devin. Um…there will be food, won’t there?”

  She laughed. “Yes, there will be. It’s a multicultural wedding, with a Dominican bride and a Cuban groom. I hope you like dishes made with rice, beans, and plantains.”

  “I like rice…even though when I have it it’s mostly in Chinese or Vietnamese cuisine. I’m afraid I’ve never been much of a bean person, other than baked beans or lima
beans. And I don’t think I’ve ever had plantains.” He chuckled.

  Devin joined in, but half-heartedly. She dug her teeth into her lower lip. “There’s one other thing, David. The bride is a longtime friend of my ex’s as well as of mine, and that means he’ll probably be at the wedding.”

  David didn’t hesitate. “Well, you don’t plan on doing anything violent when you see him, do you? I mean, this is your friend’s wedding. Smashing Joaquin—or Joe, as you call him—in the face with a plantain might make you feel good, but it would put a serious damper on the festivities, don’t you think?”

  “I’d never do anything that could spoil Glenys’s big day. I intend to ignore him.”

  “Good girl. Um…what’s happening with the video? Has it been removed completely?”

  “I think so. I’m not seeing it anywhere.” Once more, Devin bit her lip. This was a perfect time to ask another question that had been in the back of her mind even longer than wanting to ask David to escort her to Glenys’s wedding. This actually dated back to their first kiss in the elevator, and had become more prominent since they had sex last weekend. She swallowed, then once again plunged ahead with what was on her mind. “David…you haven’t seen my video, have you?”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  She let out a relieved sigh. “It was probably silly of me to think that. It’s just that…well, when you kissed me in the elevator, I thought it might have been because you’d seen it and were…curious about me. Sexually curious.”