Hi, this is my first story. I'd love to know what you thought of it and if you would like to see similar ones.
***
It was the Friday of my first week at a new company when Nicki the office manager walked up to my desk.
She was slender waisted, wearing jeans over a shapely rear end and a cream blouse with the cuffs turned up to reveal pale wrists and long, careful fingers. Her eyes were dark and mysterious, peeping beneath a feathered fringe of shiny dark hair. The rest of her hair framed her oval face perfectly, splitting over her shoulders so that a few loose curls led the eye down to her breasts.
"Hi Tim. Some of us usually meet up after work for a drink on a Friday," she said, looking down at me. "We normally go to the pub over the road since it's nice and convenient. However because it's your first week with us we thought we could make it more of a celebration and hit one of the bars in town. What do you think?"
"Sounds great," I replied. "Give me a few minutes to finish up and then I'll be ready."
"Awesome," she responded. "See you downstairs in the lobby in ten."
She turned quickly, giving me a good look at that fabulous backside as she returned to her desk. All week I'd been stealing glances at her, imagining myself pressed up against her nakedness. My first day at the company had been spent almost exclusively with her as she sorted out my security pass, computer and various forms that I needed to fill in as part of my induction. She handled everything with a glowing smile and perfect efficiency, in full command of every part of the day. She'd won my heart immediately and I already knew I was devoted to her. But I was resigned to my love being unrequited. I was a good ten years older than her, overweight with unremarkable looks and worst of all suffered from a crippling shyness that made me blush and stutter in front of women. She, by contrast, was almost a goddess in her grace, charm and confidence.
I quickly saved my work on the computer and shut it down for the night. Nicki was already heading to the exit with a group of men and women co-workers. I didn't know them all but spotted a couple of familiar faces: Sarah and James who were a married couple that happened to work in the same company but different departments. I trotted over to James and followed him out of the door.
"Hi Tim," he said genially, "how did you find your first week?"
"Oh it was great!" I replied, "I think I just about know what I'm doing now!"
He grinned. "Ha, this time next week it will all have changed again! That's how it is at this place sometimes."
I smiled back. "So where are we headed tonight?"
"The Sunflower Lounge. It opened a few months ago in the town centre. It's pretty dead most nights but on Fridays there's live music and happy hour which starts in about 20 minutes. Better get a move on so we make the most of it."
There were about fifteen of us in total and we chatted in small groups as we walked into the centre of town. Everyone knew one another and were keen to learn more about me so I was peppered with questions like I'd entered a quiz show. They soon established that I lived alone after having been married and divorced. No kids, which I regretted, and no pets either, which I didn't. I was new to the area and didn't know my way around yet, so I ended up with dozens of recommendations of restaurants, pubs and events in the area.
Our destination was a large bar tucked away in a cheap looking side street. The exterior was decorated in garish yellow sunflowers but the interior looked inviting and emitted a warm glow with a hint of citrus and cinnamon in the air. We piled inside and started shifting tables around so we could sit as one group. The live band were setting up at the other end of the bar and soon began to play some indie pop covers with more enthusiasm than talent. But with happy hour starting too, it didn't matter how good they were, we were soon singing along to the popular songs and getting happily drunk together.
After about an hour I noticed Nicki get up and greet a new arrival with a strong kiss. He appeared to also be in his thirties with fly away blond hair, round glasses and a serious face. He wore a dark blue denim shirt, unbuttoned almost to his navel, stone washed jeans and high end trainers, almost sparkling from their newness. He was about the same height as me but broader across the shoulders and heavier in the chest. He held her as they kissed and I could see his strong hands tight on her buttocks as he drew her to him.
Although I'd known all along that Nicki must have been in a relationship it still hurt to see my fantasies dashed on the rocks so vividly. Why did he have to look so intelligent and handsome? They looked perfect together. My only hope was that he was a complete dick that no-one liked. Unfortunately, from the friendly fist bumps and greetings he was getting it seemed that he was fantastically popular with Nicki's friends.
I dug my nails into my palm and told myself to stop being so selfish. She was obviously happy and making her happy was something that I should take pleasure in.
The evening carried on with more alcohol and music. Gradually people started leaving until finally it was just me, Sarah, James, Nicki and her boyfriend whose name I had learned was Ben.
"What are you drinking Tim?" Ben asked. "It's my round."
I looked up, through bleary eyes. The room was in that indeterminate stage of almost but not quite toppling over. Any more alcohol and it would be fully spinning.
"I shouldn't... I'm not sure I should have any more..." I stuttered.
"One more? Go on, I'm buying"
I hesitated. "OK, then, just the one. Old Fashioned please."
"A what?" he replied, laughing. "What's that then?"
"Whisky cocktail..." I managed.
"Like in Mad Men." said Nicki suddenly. Up until now she had seemed unaffected by the wine she'd consumed but her voice became strangely slurred when she spoke. Everyone laughed and started imitating her drawl. "Stop it", she giggled. "More wine and then I have question for you all."
Ben returned with the round of drinks and we all gathered closer to Nicki as she took a sip from her glass. She looked at each of us in turn and I could see that she was having some trouble focussing properly.
"Now," she said. "I want to know your greatest achievement. What's the single thing that you feel proudest of?"
We all looked at one another, surprised at such an earnest question.
"I'll go first," said Sarah. She paused for a minute then gave her answer: "I'm proudest of becoming the first female head of finance in this company's history"
"Wow Sarah, that's serious!" said James, laughing. "I was just going to say my greatest achievement was sleeping with Claire Williams and her sister Emma on the same weekend away!"
Everyone, except Sarah laughed loudly. Finally Sarah grinned and said "Yeah, but are you proud of what they called you when they found out?".
James put on a mock serious face, "No. That was very upsetting and spoiled my love life for several months."
I knew what I was proudest of but I wondered whether I should say something else instead. I hardly knew these people but James' answer had emboldened me and lightened the mood. I took a gulp of the Old Fashioned and said "I once went down on a woman for 6 hours non stop."
