The next day started similarly, with the same intentions, if different expectations. Mouse went through her routine, trying to look sexy. She had made up her mind that there was a reason for it today, and that she had better do a fantastic job, because she had to make amends.
She started by wearing lingerie, a skimpy sheer baby doll, and then added layers on top of that. The lingerie had to be very skimpy, because she wasn't planning on wearing much over it. She chose a stylish top, a silver gray number with long sleeves but incongruously bare shoulders and a mostly open back, and a halter style strap that looped around her neck into a high collar.
The extra touch of slut was added by a large keyhole opening between her breasts, not showing much, but offsetting that by exposing parts of her breasts that were not normally seen in polite company. She didn't wear a bra.
The top was longish. It was only meant as a tunic, to be worn with something else on bottom. For work she wore a pair of tight jeans. But when she left to meet Michael, she took them off to put on the shortest denim mini skirt any woman had ever worn. For her, panties were usually optional, Mouse thought. Tonight they were forbidden.
She put on another pair of dangly silver earrings, and Michael's charming necklace. It felt cool and warm at the same time against her flesh. Today she applied bright red "blow job" lipstick. Since he had noticed, and had liked it enough to say so, she straightened her hair again. Look out, Michael, she thought. Mouse is coming.
She was a half an hour early to pick him up. She didn't mind appearing eager. It was part of the apology. This time there was a receptionist, so to her disappointment, and that of the floor workers, she was sure, she couldn't invade his space by wandering out onto the warehouse floor. She had to restrain herself, barely containing her impatience, in the reception area.
He said hello to her politely, if a bit coldly, when he came out. They walked out together, conspicuously not touching. He slipped into her car.
He didn't say anything at first, so she figured she'd better get it started.
"Did you check out of your hotel?" she asked.
"Do I have a place to stay if I do?" he asked, without humor.
Shit, Mouse thought. He's pissed. And he has a right to be.
"Yes, of course."
His eyebrows raised in an unspoken "oh, really, are you sure?"
"Yes. Definitely, yes." she repeated. "Look, I'm so sorry. I... I don't know what the deal was, I still haven't figured it out. My head's not on straight. I don't know why I freaked. I did it and it was wrong and it was cruel and I can't promise it won't happen again but I'm really, really sorry and I'll make it up to you, I promise. I promise."
The words came out so fast she couldn't stop them. They virtually pummeled Michael back in his seat. She felt a tear welling up as she finished. That forced her to make a concerted effort to control herself. She was not going to cry in front of him, for him. That was not going to happen. She sucked in a deep breath, then turned to face forward, exhaling the breath, and more.
She couldn't believe she was this worked up. She hadn't felt this way since college.
"You don't want to leave, do you? For home, I mean?" she asked timorously, eyes locked on nothing beyond the windshield in front of her.
She saw a movement to her side. She felt Michael's hand brush her cheek. She closed her eyes, while shifting her head to nuzzle his hand.
"I really want to kiss you," he said, "but the receptionist is watching. Just drive. Let's go. Let's forget yesterday happened."
She turned to smile at him shyly, grateful that her worst fears had not come true. I won't blow this, she thought, as she pulled out to speed toward the highway that headed into the city, towards the heart of her own little world.
* * *
They drove most of the way in silence, holding hands. She wouldn't let his hand go.
Out of nowhere Michael asked a hard question.
"Are you seeing anyone, Mouse?" It came out almost inaudibly, and seemingly with disinterest.
She looked at him sharply, concerned. She could tell it took a concerted effort for him to get that out.
"What? No. You mean, like a guy? Other than you? Don't be silly, no. Why'd you think that?"
He was silent a moment. She answered her own question during the intermission.
"Oh. Yeah. Right. I'm nuts. Okay. No, I didn't go schizoid yesterday because I'm seeing some other guy and now you're in the way. I'd never, ever, ever do that to you. That would make me as bad as your bitch of an ex-wife," she finished with a touch of venom.
She paused. She was frightened into honesty by her own behavior the previous evening.
"Well, I guess it could, but I wouldn't do it the way she did," she corrected. "I don't know. I don't know what we're doing, or what we think we're doing, or where we're going, or what. This can't last forever. Can it?"
She looked to him hopefully, wanting him to contradict her and make it all go away.
"You sound like me, when this all started, Mouse," Michael pointed out.