It was close to midnight as Callum Donald followed the tight butt of curvy Paula Olsen, his latest girlfriend, up the narrow stairs to her apartment. It was the third time they'd dated and he wondered would she'd get lucky tonight. She must want it as she'd made admiring comments about his physique. That surely indicated her level of interest.
Paula was an assistant accountant at a construction company he'd visited when engaged as a consulting engineer. He arrived at her workplace whenever the majority owner Dirk O'Brien considered his engineers required the support of the consultant who specialized in wind loadings on structures -- in this instance a steel bridge over a ravine that would cut sixty miles for return trips between the company's quarry and the city.
The savings in time and mileage would be considerable for the client over the estimated 60-year life of the quarry, allowing them to also reduce the size of their truck fleet. The delivery trucks made up to 4000 trips annually to deliver crushed rock and other fill to its construction sites and also to supply fill and cart away spoil for various clients including highway construction and maintenance contractors.
Callum, who was thirty-two, ate lunch in the café at O'Brien Construction. He began noticing a dark-eyed auburn beauty glancing at him periodically and one day arrived late and sat at the same table as her and five other women. When the others left the beauty had remained. It was a tentative start but nevertheless a start, Callum would recall later.
"Hi, I've noticed you around. My name is Callum."
"Yes Mr Donald. I'm aware of that. I handle your bills and authorize payments."
"Oh that explains the fragrance on my checks. It's you perfume."
"I authorize payment. Other women make out and post the checks," she said, smiling. "My name is Paula."
"Are you married Paula?"
"Does it look like it?" she said, displaying a barren ring finger.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."
Paula brushed back her hair, perhaps knowing the movement would draw Callum's attention to the smaller movement of her breasts. "I didn't consider you were." She rose to leave and Callum sighed and said, "We must talk some more."
"Perhaps."
He scowled as she walked off wondering what kind of answer was that. 'Perhaps' was almost as good as saying you have no show buster.
That afternoon on the way to visit Dirk, Callum stopped and chatted to the president's PA as he always did but this time sought information. "Peggy, what can you tell me about Paula in accounts, the assistant accountant."
"She's in her late twenties, is athletic, lives by herself and is interested in sport and active recreation. Her father works with the council and her mother teaches at primary level. But don't waste your time thinking about her Mr Donald..."
"Peggy please call me Callum."
The married woman smiled. "As I was about to say Callum, don't waste your time thinking about dating her. Her policy is to have nothing to do with males on our payroll."
"Oh god, she isn't...?" Callum said, leaving his comment unfinished.
Peggy smiled. "You know she's not Callum."
"Well yes. She appeared open and friendly talking to me, not at all watchful. May I point out I'm a consultant and therefore am not on the payroll."
"Oh yes," Peggy said thoughtfully. "Would you like me to tell her you're interested?"
Callum colored. "Um, like what?"
"That you made discreet inquiries about her with me?"
"Oh yes, would you please. Um but very discreetly."
Two days later Callum went to lunch late and was at an empty table when Paula came and sat opposite. She said hi and ignoring his bright response said, "Why have you been making enquiries about me?"
Callum colored.
"God you are capable of blushing" and that turned Callum's face even pinker.
"I'm sorry, but as my father says, once a tease always a tease."
"Don't be sorry. I rather liked the attention."
Paula spooned in some rice and looked at him thoughtfully. And then, "I'm not in the habit of launching into impromptu romances."
"Habits can be broken."
They looked at each other, unsmiling.
Callum dabbed his mouth with a napkin.
"You missed some meatballs sauce."
"Where?"
She licked the corner of her napkin and wiped a spot just to the upper right of his mouth.
As Paula sat back she said, "Oh god, sorry. I licked the napkin to make sure the sauce came off. It was so..."
"So welcomed actually. It suggests I've passed the assessment, if only in your subconscious mind, and am acceptable to exchange saliva with you."
Eying him impassively, Paula said, "And what kind of engineering comment is that?"
"Professionally considered, suggesting that although being opposites with probably diverse make-ups we do appear to have fundamental compatibility."
"I see. And now do we test that out?"
"The movies followed by dinner?"
Paula's eyes flashed and her mouth softened. "When?"
"This Friday."
"Okay, but it's not a date."
Callum said softly, "Don't kid yourself."
Her smile widened.
* * *
The association went beyond the first date. One evening at a restaurant as they were finishing mains, Paula said, "Are you aware this is the third time we have been out together and tonight it's a month since we first went out?"
"Very aware. Actually it's twenty-nine days but saying a month is okay."
"Thank you Mr Precise Engineer. Will you come to my place for coffee now? I have baked a small chocolate cake."
"And then what?"
Paula colored hugely and she snorted, "Yes or no?"
"It's a yes, definitely a yes and thank you. Will I be permitted to examine your collection of perfumes?"
"How do you know I have a collection?"
"Well I have recognized five perfumes you have worn, or at least I guess I did. My mother taught me about perfumes when I was a nosey boy. For instance, I'm aware you were wearing Nina today but tonight you have on Pour Femme and you wore than on the first time we went out."
