According to the clock, it was 3am, and she had a 7am wake-up call scheduled. She'd waited just long enough for him to get to sleep, untied the blindfold, gathered her things, and went to her room. However, she'd made sure to scribble out a note to leave on his bedside table:
"Ted -- Thanks for playing along. I had a great time -- let's do it again soon! XOXO"
She didn't know why, but for some reason, she felt as giddy as a schoolgirl. Maybe it was because of the role-playing... maybe it was because she'd tried something new. All she did know was that she was TIRED!
Seven AM came too soon, and as promised, she got her wake-up call. She showered and dressed in her business attire, gathered her belongings, and made her way downstairs to get some coffee. As she sat in the cafe with her double espresso, she opened her file to see who was in Rob's sales group she would be working with today. She scanned the list and her eyes got as big as saucers when she saw a familiar name: Ted Mariano.
* * * *
The guys met in the restaurant to enjoy breakfast before their meeting with the auditor.
Rob set them at ease. "Guys, she seems pretty nice. And she's not bad looking either, which will make things a little easier for you."
"So Rob, how was YOUR night?" teased Eddie.
"Christy was... definitely very flexible... that's all I'm going to say," said Rob, as the guys began to snicker.
"Yo, Ted, what happened to you last night? Did you take home any hot chicks?" Eddie joked.
"Haha very funny guys," Ted said with a glare.
"What's that look for?"
"I know you guys sent that girl to my room, it's ok the secret is out," said Ted.
The guys all looked at each other. "Dude, we didn't send anyone to your room," Eddie stated in all seriousness.
* * * *
Ted couldn't get the image of the mystery woman out of his head for the remainder of breakfast. He tried to put her out of his head completely, for he knew he had some serious matters to focus on with the sales auditor. The team made their way in to the small conference room, where a woman in sharp business dress, stylish glasses and tight bun hairdo stood by the window. She turned towards him, and his jaw immediately dropped to the floor -- it was Stacey!
Stacey was the auditor? No way!
She began the meeting, but he couldn't focus on anything that she was saying. His mind was filled with a mix of the night he'd spent with her, the night that taught him that friends can definitely be more... and the night with the mystery woman.
"Let's dismiss for lunch for 2 hours -- see you all back at 1pm," was the only thing he'd heard her say the whole morning.
He got up to leave the room, but he felt her grab his arm. "Ted, are you OK? You seemed distracted this morning," Stacey asked with a mix of concern and... something else... in her eyes.
"I just didn't get a lot of sleep last night, that's all," he stammered. "I want to apologize for not calling you after -- you know, that night. A lot has been going on lately with this company merger and all that -- you know how it goes."