19

Elaine

I stood in the empty lobby with a notepad in hand, writing down stuff I'd need to get from the grocery store while waiting for Vivienne who'd gone to take a pee. It was way past dismissal but I'd stayed back to finish the manuscript I'd been working on all day and turn it in to Mr. Sturm for final inspection before it would be sent to the publication team. Almost everyone had gone home.

"Hey, Elaine. Don't you think it'd be a great idea if the two of us go out for drinks tomorrow to celebrate your first week at work?" Vivienne suggested the minute she came out of the bathroom, adjusting her skirt. "Consider it a treat from me. You don't have to worry about paying anything."

"Ah." I pause, thinking hard on my schedule. Cora had said something about a date with Terry last night while we were chatting, and frankly I didn't want to leave Finn in her care for yet another afternoon. It wasn't fair, and I could see how much the date meant to her when she told me about it. "It's not a