"No problem. I saw you were busy," I said.
He offered to give me a better tour of it all. "I've been here longer than most of the employees," he bragged. "And I grew up in this town, so don't hesitate to ask me anything. If you have a free weekend, I'd be happy to show you around, take you to lunch, whatever."
"Thank you. I have it all under control for now," I said as sweetly but as firmly as I could. He looked surprised more than disappointed as he left.
"You dented his ego," Michele said. She had overheard it all. "Second to Liam, he's the Don Juan of the company. Don't let that accent fool you. He's nowhere near as bright as he pretends to be." Unable to disguise her jealousy, perhaps her longing for her own youthful, carefree time, she added, "They're all going to hit on you. The word's out, apparently."
"What word?"
"That you're young, beautiful, and available."
"I'm not so available," I said sharply.
