Note from Slick: I added Chapter three to the first two chapters for your ease and enjoyment. All rights reserved.
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Lunch Buds Ch. 01
They started on the job on the same day which happened to be on Monday April 1st. Sarah Jenkins had just graduated from small St. Mary's College whereas Jack Wilson graduated from the much larger University of Illinois. Both were engaged to their high school sweethearts and life for both was as good as it could be.
After the human resources spill on medical benefits they were released for lunch. Both gathered their paperwork and headed for the elevator.
"I saw a small pub a couple of blocks from here," Jack said to the cute petite blonde girl. "Would you like to join me?"
Sarah was as shy as they came. "I don't drink."
He held back his laughter. "They serve Coke. We don't have much time before we have to be back."
Sarah thought about it and he had seemed nice all morning. Plus it would give her a chance to meet someone who worked at the office. "OK."
Lunch was awkward at first but after about ten minutes they loosened up and talked about their fiancées and their upcoming weddings. On the way back to the office they continued talking and laughing.
That afternoon Sarah and Jack were led to their work cubicles which were right across from each other. "I guess we will be seeing and hearing a lot from each other." Tom grinned.
"I guess so," she answered. Later that evening she told her live-in fiancé Brad about Jack. "He's nice and we had a great lunch."
"Should I be worried?" Brad joked.
"Worried?" She asked not sure at first what he meant. Then it hit her. "Why does everything have to be about sex?"
"Hey, I was joking. You know that I go out to lunch with some of the female grad students."
"It wasn't funny," she sighed.
*****
"I did meet a girl who also started today," Jack told his live-in fiancée Ashley.
"That's nice," Ashley said as she watched the small TV sitting on the kitchen counter.
"Did you hear anything that I just said?"
"What?"
"Never mind," he frowned.
*****
For the remainder of the week Jack and Sarah spent most of their time in training sessions. On Friday morning as they stood waiting by the coffee maker Jack said, "How about lunch today?"
"I uh...brought a lunch," she frowned.
"So you're going to make me eat alone."
Sarah smiled. "OK....OK...lunch it is."
"Around noon by the elevator."
"Deal," she smiled.
*****
Sarah was waiting about 10 minutes before Jack finally showed. "I'm so sorry. Mr. Franklin grabbed me and I couldn't just break away."
"That's OK," she smiled. They moved quickly out of the building to the small pub again. They found the same booth at the rear open. "So what's new?"
"The job mostly," Jack answered. He looked into her baby blue eyes trying to figure out what was different.
"Are you staring at me?" She asked.
"Something is different."
"What is it?" She giggled.
"It's your hair. You got it cut."
"I'm glad someone noticed," she groaned. "Do you like it?"
"Yes." He said not wanting to get too personal. "So Brad didn't notice."
"After living together for two years I think I have to dance on the table to get his attention."
"It would get mine," Jack laughed.
"JACK!" She gasped.
"Sorry," he smiled. "It just slipped out."
They spent the remainder of their lunch discussing their jobs and found the time went too fast. As they paid their bills Jack asked, "How about we meet every Friday for lunch?"
"Every Friday for how long?" She whispered wondering if such an arrangement was crossing the friendly workers line.
"I guess until we want it to end," he answered. "I enjoy talking to you."
She realized that she felt the same. "OK, let's do it." She held out her tiny hand and took his larger one. It was a friendly handshake and not one of sexual tension.
Later that night she told Brad about her lunch arrangement. "Now don't ask me if you should be worried because you don't."
"Of course," he grinned. "Why would you be interested in him when you have me?"
"Get over your self," Sarah said shaking her head.
*****
It didn't go over as big with Ashley. "Lunch every week with another woman. Are you for real?"
"She works with me," Jack said for the third time. "It's no different than if I went with another guy."
"That's not the point," she sighed. "We are trying to save money for the wedding."
"$15 a week! You're joking right? We pay for our own lunch."
"I don't go out for lunch," she threw back.
"Well, yes but you work for your daddy and he has lunch brought in every day." Jack stood and walked out of the kitchen.
*****
Sarah was in her cube on Monday morning when Jack arrived. "How was your weekend?"
"Not bad," she answered. "And yours?"
"Mostly wedding stuff."
"Same here. I'll be glad when it's over."
Jack was standing by her desk when she turned. His eyes automatically glanced at her bare legs when the chair turned and he saw a glimpse of her white panties. He looked up quickly.
"Oops, I better be more careful," she blushed noting where his eyes had been.
"Sorry."
"No you're not," she giggled as she grabbed her coffee cup. "Do you want to walk to the break room with me?"
"Sure," he grinned. It was cool being friends with a female.
This relationship went on for the next month and it was a retirement party that broke up the routine.
"Are you going?" Sarah asked Jack at lunch.
"I really don't know the guy," Jack answered. "But I guess I should go."
"Yeah, I feel the same but I'm only going to go if you do."
"That's cool," Jack grinned. "Will Brad let you go?"
"Will Ashley let you?" She smiled.
"Yes."
"Same here," Sarah said pushing her tiny pink tongue out at him.
*****
"On a Friday night?" Brad repeated. "How late will you be?"
"I'm not sure," she answered. "Why?" What was pissing her off was that he went out with the grad students at least two Friday's per month.
"So you won't be home to make dinner?"
"I wonder why I'm getting married to you," she whispered not loud enough for him to hear it.
"What?"
"Pizza....I said you can order yourself a pizza," she lied.
*****
Jack met Sarah at her car the next morning. "Looks like I'm all set for the retirement party."
"It's out on the outskirts of town. Maybe we should drive together?" She asked.
"Sure, I'll drive and you can leave your car here."
"OK," she smiled. They walked into the building and then into the elevator where another man Paul joined them on the trip to their floor. After they left the lift Paul pulled Jack aside. "So are you getting any of that?"
Jack followed Paul's eyes to Sarah's cute butt walking away. "We're just friends."
"Right," Paul laughed. "Word around is that you two go to lunch."
"Jesus," Jack gasped. "Well tell those who are starting such garbage that we are JUST FRIENDS!"
When he made it to his desk and turned on his computer he saw an email from Sarah.
(What was that all about?) She had heard his raised voice as she exited the lobby area.
He typed back. (I'll tell you when we are alone).
(Now you have me wondering)
(Pub for lunch?)
Sarah knew that it was Monday but couldn't wait. (Yes)
(Meet me at the pub)
(OK)
*****
Jack was sitting in the booth when she walked in. She moved into the seat and asked, "What did he say?"
"Well we should have expected it," Jack frowned. "He asked me if I was........you know...getting any from you?"
Sarah covered her mouth. "Oh God!"
"He said that the word was that we go to lunch together."
"Word, like meaning the whole office?"
"Yes, since we go to lunch together then we must be sleeping together."
"We're both engaged!" She gasped out loud.
"People like to gossip."
The waitress came by and they ordered their normal sandwiches and called them by name. "What are we going to do?" She asked.
Jack blew out a burst of air. "Nothing. We are doing nothing but being friends and have nothing to hide."
"But, I'm the woman," she whispered. "It's different."
Both remained silent as they finished their meals. Finally Sarah spoke after paying her bill. "I think we have to cool it for a while."
Jack frowned but knew she was right. He didn't respond. As they walked back she turned. "Maybe I should walk in first."
He sighed and stopped as she walked ahead of him.