"Come see me asap." Donna crumpled up the note. It's too early in the morning for this, she thought. Without breaking her stride, she laid down her bag, sipped her coffee, and grabbed three folders off her desk, then made her way to Harvey's office. The red bottoms of her heels were blurs. Harvey's eyes were glued to the screen, his fingers furiously typing. Donna walked in and placed the folders before he looked up.
"You needed me?"
"I need the foldβ" Harvey stopped and caught himself. "Thanks," he said. Donna just winked at him and walked towards the door.
"Donna?"
"Yes, Harvey?"
"I have somebody coming in at 8:30 but he isn't on the schedule. He's an old friend. I thought I'd let you know so you wouldn't get caught off-guard."
"I'm never off-guard. Thanks Harv."
"Harv? When did we become so informal?"
"Haven't we always been informal," she paused heavily "Harv?"
Donna smiled and stared a second longer than she normally did. Harvey would never tell her he noticed. Or that he counted the seconds. He lived for her looks and stares. The ones where she could see through his skin and into his soul, the ones that made his blood burn βwith what he didn't know, maybe lust, maybe love, maybe... β, the ones that made him realize she was the woman he had always been in love with before he even knew what love was or what women were like or even why he would love them but he would. And he did. And there walking out of his office, was the woman he had loved harder than any other he'd ever laid eyes on. His 8:30 waited at her desk, doing his best to be casual. Donna silently strolled past and pointed him towards the office with her thumb.
"Aren't you going to walk me over?" he said. Donna shook him off and walked towards the kitchenette for coffee. He noticed her finger wag matched the rhythm of her hips before he walked towards Harvey.
β β β β β β β β
Donna's feet hurt so she made a beeline for the bar's last free stool. She sank into it and uttered a quiet thank you. By her count, a 14 hour workday wasn't great but not exactly out of the ordinary either. The paperwork was filed, depositions taken, associates fired, and the the rest of the standard law firm shenanigans. She caught the bartender's attention by playing with a lock of her red hair. "Vodka martini with a twist." She stared vacantly around the bar, trying to shake off the day and start enjoying her night. A hand on the small of her back brought her back to reality. Harvey stood there, accompanied by another man, maybe a friend. Same height but with a bit of a slouch, slightly broader shoulders, charcoal gray suit, and a big smile. The kind of smile you have when you meet someone you've heard a lot about.
"So,
you're
Donna".
"Yes, and you must be Mr. 8:30 Appointment. It's nice to meet you. Do you have a name or should I call you Harvey's friend?"
Harvey chuckled a bit and realized this was his cue. "Sorry, this is Tom. He and I played summer ball in high school before we went to college. We wound up at the same law school and were intramural captains all three years. I was telling him about you and he said he just had to meet you."
"Harvey, I never knew you said so much about me behind my back. Hopefully, it was all good, Tom?"
" It sounded good to me. And how could I say no to meeting the woman who keeps Harvey in one piece? Knowing that, can you blame me for twisting his arm to bring me here?"
"You certainly know how to puff up a girl's ego. Makes me think you have an ulterior motive which wouldn't surprise me given the facts: you're a lawyer and Harvey's friend. I hope he didn't forget to tell you how smart I am. I'm not like those girls he usually brings home, those regular pieces of ass."
" There's nothing regular about you. And since I'm one of Harvey's friends, then you probably figured out that there's nothing regular about me either. Can we sit with you?"
"Only if you keep talking like that."
Everyone toasted to that.
β β β β β β β β
The booze was plied and the conversation carried on. Stories about old flames, late night adventures, weekend deadlines, career victories, and celebrations came out. Their laughter was unchecked and sincere. Eyes wandered, hands underneath counters and tables lingered, and feet found roosts behind knees. Harvey and Tom started to give each other looks and wordlessly talk. Donna worried that she might have read this situation wrong.
"Guys, I can leave if you like. I'm sure I can find someone else who would like my company."
"It's not like that," Tom said "it's just since we have all been reminiscing, Harvey and I thought maybe we should take it back another level."
"What are you talking ab β," Donna stopped herself and realized her sudden pause gave her away. So much for playing coy.
"What do you expect? Good friends share," Harvey said. Tom silently tilted his glass in Harvey's direction. "Unless, you're not into that sort of thing." Silence. Their Adam's' apples' bobbed up and down while they waited.
"Actually, Harvey, I think the two of you might be a good fit."
"I was hoping you would say that."
"And Tom," Donna said "what about you? Why not pick up one of these other hot barflies and show her a good time? Those two brunettes in the corner booth have been eyeing all night."
"Fuck everybody else. You're the only one here that's worth a damn."
Donna stood up and smoothed out a wrinkle in her skirt. "Well, that settles that" she said. As she made for the entrance, Donna cleared her throat . The men sat and stared at each other.
"Well, am I getting fucked or not? Come on guys."