I was working late, and I was the only one left in the building. It had been very quiet for the last hour or so, but just as I was thinking about leaving, I heard some noise downstairs. I forgot, it's Thursday night, it must be the janitor. Maybe I'll stick around a while and chat up Julie. She's really nice, and we often talk when she comes upstairs to empty the trash cans. She's really attractive... or maybe it's just that I'm really attracted to her. I didn't really think of her as attractive until I'd talked to her a few times and found out what a nice person she is. Too bad she's married. Too bad I'm married. For the time being.
I turned out the light in my office. I figured I'd go downstairs and find her. But moments after my light went off, she came around the corner, headed right for me, head down.
"Boo!" I said softly in the dark.
"Oh!" she looked up, startled. "Oh, it's you! You scared me!" she reached for me like she was annoyed, but she was smiling as she grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back.
"Sorry... you came around the corner just as I turned out the light."
"It's okay, I'm... I'm glad it's you..." somehow our playful pushing had turned into a hug.
"Are you all right?"
"Umm..."
"I'm sorry I scared you..."
"Oh, uh, it's not that... I mean... it's okay..."
"Let me guess... Tony?"
"Umm..."
"What idiotic thing has he done this time?"
I'm sure Tony's a good guy, but I always hear about the bad stuff. Julie and I had developed a relationship where, since our circle of friends and family don't intersect, we felt safe talking to one another about our spouses. Or maybe 'venting' is a better word. I'm sure she thinks my wife is a total bitch. But it was more serious this time. She looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"He... Oh, you shouldn't have to listen to this..."
"Hey, how many times have you listened to me rant? That's what friends are for!"
She smiled, touching my cheek. "You're so sweet."
"Actually I'm a rat, but compared to your husband..."
"He... he... cheated!" she choked out the last word around a sob.
"Oh God," I said, folding my arms around her.
"And he has the gall to say he loves me! I don't know what I did..."
"Hold it right there! You didn't do anything wrong, he did! This is not your fault!"
"I know, but I'm not the most..."
"Stop! You are a beautiful, beautiful woman. Every man's desire!"
"Then why doesn't he love me?"
"What makes you think he doesn't?"
She looked at me like I had three heads.
"Julie, he's a man! Just because he loves you, doesn't mean he isn't tempted by other women. I love my wife, but you make me..."
She smiled at my blush.