This is a work of fiction. All characters engaging in sexual acts are 18 or older. In my fictional world, there are no STDs. My characters may act in fictional and irrational ways. Comments are always welcome.
This a follow-up to Carol's Condition - Lisa's Story and it will make more sense if you read that one first.
Kevin's Birthday Party
The sun was reflecting off the still lake water, making an already hot day into a broiler. Brian steered the boat into the shade where a clear water stream flowed into the lake. The combination of the shade and the cool breeze that flowed just above the stream lowered the temperature in the boat a good ten to fifteen degrees. I pulled off my hat and wiped the sweat from my face with the sleeve of my T-shirt. Pulling the cooler towards me, I looked to see what Carol had packed for our lunch.
"Looks like turkey sandwiches, potato salad, and peanut butter cookies," I told Brian with a grin. Carol knew what her 'boys' liked.
Brian and I had become pretty good buddies in the last eighteen months. Still, by unspoken agreement, we never mentioned each other's personal time with Brian's wife other than the very rare schedule conflict or unavoidable 'meeting' changes. What had started as a weekly event for me was now becoming an every fourteen to sixteen-day steady schedule. It was up to me to ask and after the first month, Brian had made it clear he was more comfortable with me making my request directly with Carol. Carol, for her part, let me act like I was in control, but we both knew that she was calling the shots as to when we were to see each other. As a twenty-five, soon-to-be twenty six, year old guy, I'd certainly be up for a higher pace, say every other day, but Carol always sent me home exhausted, drained, and very satisfied. I had no complaints.
A few offhand comments from Brian and Carol informed me that my time with her left Carol very horny for her husband. I'd noticed that Brian frequently looked like he was "rode hard and put away wet" the day after I'd spent time with Carol. She could apparently go around the clock and still look beautiful the next day.
Today though, I had something other than Carol on my mind. As we ate our sandwiches I detailed to Brian the head hunter call I'd taken the prior week,
"So he said that Conners had landed three major government contracts. The work is going to keep them busy for at least four years. They have to staff up quickly and they're willing to pay top dollar to get the right people."
"Yeah, I talked to him too. I cut him off though. I'm too set in my routine and I'm comfortable where I am. So, what are they offering you?"
"Move to Sr. Engineer within six months, and he said it would be a thirty percent increase in pay plus I'd get an annual bonus. It's a lot."
"So what are you thinking?"
"You know the company has been good to me. Lisa says I've moved up faster than anyone since you came on board. But this would be huge for me. I could finally look for a house to buy. What would you do if you were in my shoes?"
"Brian you have to make up your own mind. You'd be missed but we can't offer you the type of opportunities that Conners can. They work on much larger systems, and they're a much larger company. If I were you, I'd jump. You're young, and nothing is holding you to the company."
I chewed my sandwich thinking. I'd thought Brian was going to try to talk me out of it. I made up my mind right there in the boat. Time to move on.
I called the head hunter on Sunday and told him I'd put in my two weeks' notice once I had a written offer. I got the email first thing Monday and I headed to HR to let them know I was leaving. Not five minutes after I got back to my desk Lisa showed up and pulled me into a conference room.
"Kevin you can't leave me, I mean us. We've been good to you. You're on the fast track here."
"I know Lisa, but what they're offering is a whole lot more and I'll have the chance to move up higher and faster. I'd kick myself If I turned this down."
Lisa put her hand on my cheek. "This doesn't have anything to do with all my teasing does it?"
"Lisa you know I enjoy your teasing, well, most of the time. I think everyone in the department knows I'm not experienced or old enough for you. Not that we could date anyways, company policy. Well, I guess that isn't going to be true now," I laughed.
Lisa's lip trembled. "Kevin please rethink this."
"Sorry Lisa, it's a done deal."
Telling my work team was hard. Stacy was my 'work wife; we'd been side by side on every major project for the last two years. She and the other engineers were shocked. The female technicians got a little emotional, and I had to convince Jessica, Betsy, and Amy that we'd keep in touch. I was just moving across town, not across the country.
The next two weeks went by quickly as I tied up loose ends and transferred my work to others. Several engineers and techs tried to slip me their resumes but I didn't want that on my conscience. I passed them the head hunter's phone number and wished them luck. Funny, but I never saw Lisa at work again.
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On day one at the new job, I sat in my ergo chair and smiled at where I was. I picked up my phone and made my first call.
"Hey, work wife, how're things?"
"I think we've divorced Kevin. You find a new hussy yet?" Stacy laughed.
"Not yet. You're going to be hard to replace. No, I'm just sitting here looking out my window overlooking the parking lot and the duck pond with my office door closed." Stacy had a cube, no window or door.
"Pig. Karma's going knock you down, especially if you keep rubbing our faces in your new-found life of luxury."
I laughed, and we talked for a couple of minutes. Before we hung up Stacy said, "Lisa is going to want your work number. Are you okay with my giving it to her?"
"Why would she want it?"
"She's going to call and ask you to take her out, dummy."
"What?"
"Seriously Kevin, that woman's been throwing herself at you for at least two years. Open your eyes."
"Hey, I had asked her out. I'm too young and inexperienced remember? And there was a company policy on dating. I think she just liked to push my buttons."
"I think she just didn't want you to take no for an answer. She's got it for you bad. We all talk about it."
"What do you mean "we"?"
"You know, all the girls over here."
I rolled my eyes trying not to think about being a topic of conversation for the women of Grant Engineering. But, I gave my permission for Stacy to give my number to Lisa, thinking nothing would come of it.
*******************
"Hi Brian," Lisa said brightly when I answered the phone.
"Hey, you. To what do I owe this call? Did I miss something in my exit interview?"
"No, Kevin. I'm just calling to see how you liked the new job and to see if you had time to meet for dinner Friday?"
"Like on a date? I don't know, you may be too old for me."
"Ouch, okay I deserved that. But I've seen your HR file and I know I'm not even five years older than you. Is that too old?"