With a sigh, Sam turned in her seat to face Lola. Yep, there was the usual scowl, mouth twisted as though she'd sucked a lemon.
"It doesn't make her pathetic, Lola," Sam had no idea why she was even defending the girl, but Lola's words struck a chord and could harm the poor girl's reputation. "That's not fair."
"Yeah, you would say that," Lola scoffed, eyes flashing a silent challenge at Sam, the meaning behind her words crystal clear. "Seems like some women don't mind losing their self respect for a chance to spread their legs."
Sam stiffened, feeling her hackles rise. "Excuse me?"
Did this bitch just go there? Sam's palms itched with the urge to slap the smug superiority off her face and proceed to teach her to watch her mouth with a few well placed punches.
"I need to use the ladies room!" Jane announced, shooting to her feet. Her words broke the icy tension that surrounded the table.
Her assistant aimed a silently pleading look her way. "Sam, could you please accompany me? I don't want to make the trip by myself."
It was a poor attempt at diffusing the situation, but seeing the worry in Jane's eyes, Sam forced herself to take a deep, calming breath and nodded.
It wouldn't do to get into a fight with an employee in this sort of situation, but she would definitely deal with this issue later. Lola had no right to speak to her in that manner and she wasn't going to let it go. She was done trying to ignore the rude attitude and snide words, done trying to keep the peace.
Giving Lola a silent warning, she rose to her feet and followed Jane towards the restrooms, her mind still boiling at the insult.
The restrooms mercifully wasn't crowded and by the time Sam emerged from a stall, it was just Jane standing by the sink, repairing her makeup. Her assistant paused and gave her a nervous smile.
"Uh...Sam, about Lola, just ignore her okay?" Jane began, in a hesitant tone. "I know she can be annoying with that attitude, but believe me, it's not worth getting worked up for. Most of us in the department have learned to just steer clear of her when she gets into a mood."
"And that's exactly why she thinks she can get away with it." Sam countered, crossing her arms over her chest. "She needs to be told when she's crossed the line and tonight, she's not only crossed that line, she's erased it."
Jane sighed and nodded. "I agree she was out of line tonight. But...uh...I think she's just mad that Ryan seems to like you."
Cold dread sank like lead in Sam's stomach. "What? You think Ryan and I are -?"
"Oh no, no, nothing like that." Jane cut in waving her hands frantically. "It's just that well...you two didn't exactly get along when you first started. But lately, you guys like work well together and I think she's just annoyed he doesn't rely on her as much as before for stuff like projects."
"Oh, I see." Relief poured through Sam and she heaved a sigh.
"Plus, she's had a huge crush on Ryan for a long time, since their high school days, I think. Now, far as I know, he's never acknowledged her attraction, but they're close - like almost best friends and she knows a lot about his personal life in a way none of us do. Guess that makes her a bit territorial sometimes."
Sam nodded thoughtfully, mentally running over what she'd just heard. She'd known about Lola's feelings for Ryan but she hadn't realized how far back or how close their relationship went. It did explain why Lola acted the way she did - imagine loving someone all those years and being forced to watch them get close with other women.
Still didn't excuse the bitchy attitude, but still it explained a lot.
"We should head back before they send out a search party for us." Jane said, smoothing down her hair.
****
Back at the table, Ryan gave her a questioning look as she sat down.
"You okay?" He asked, pushing a glass of clear liquid in front of her, the ice blinking against the glass. His gaze flickered over her face. "You look tense."
"I'm fine, just tired." Sam replied. She picked up the glass and took a sip, surprised to taste mineral water instead of alcohol. She shot him a look and he chuckled, picking up his own glass for a sip.
"Okay, now everyone's here and with fresh drinks, let's play." Nadia announced. "Okay, first one; never have I ever lied to get out of work."
"Oi! That's not fair." Brian yelled. "You trying to get us fired?"
"Please, like we don't already know you've pulled that stunt several times." Ryan replied with a grin. "Drink up, lazy ass."
The next few were rather tame, but like in every group where alcohol flowed, the questions got steadily raunchier as several people came up with their own questions.
"Never have I had sex in a car."
"Does getting to second base with a guy in high school count?" Jane asked with a chortle.
"Nope, sorry."
Sam laughed at the woebegone expression on Jane's face. "Hey, it's never too late to try."
"I'd have to find a boyfriend first." Jane sighed, shaking her head. "In a city this size, you'd think it'd be easy finding a decent guy, but it's like digging for a needle in the garbage bin."
"True." Nadia joined in. She cast a longing look at Ryan across the room."And when you do find someone with potential, they're not even interested."
"Especially when they find out you're a single mum." Jane added.
Sam studied Ryan from underneath her lashes. He'd joined a group of guys playing pool, and was waiting his turn, laughing at joke someone shared.
She had to agree with them that he was a decent guy, a trait that was solely lacking amongst most men of her acquaintance. He was considerate in bed - always making sure she took her pleasure first before having his own - and at work, he gave her credit when due, listened to her ideas without trying to lord it over her and had come a long way from being the jerk of the early days.
As though sensing her gaze, he looked up, his eyes locking with hers. A slow smile crept over his features, and he made a show of glancing at his watch then mouthing 'ten minutes left'.
"Never have I sent a naked selfie or dick pic." Someone shouted.
Most people drank to that accompanied by hoots of laughter and good-natured ribbing. Ryan raised an eyebrow at Sam and pulled out his phone, glancing down as his fingers moved across the screen.
Moments later, her phone vibrated with an incoming text.
I would love a pic of you.
She giggled, looking up to give him a playful head shake. Nope, not happening.
Another text came in.
Five more minutes babe, then we're blowing this joint. I'll leave now and wait for you in the car, k?
She texted back an affirmative and watched as he said something to the guys then made his way out of the bar.
Sam checked her watch. Almost 9 pm. She'd give it five minutes then leave as well.
"I'm gonna head home now," she told Jane who nodded. Picking up her purse, she rose and walked out, mercifully everyone was either too inebriated or having fun to ask her anything.
The cold air hit the minute she stepped outside and she shivered, rubbing her arms to warm them. She glanced around the park, just as a pair of headlights lit up and she headed towards the black Tesla.
He had the door open for her, and a blast of heated air hit her soon as she climbed in.
"Hey," his voice warmed her up even more. And she felt the renewed clang of anticipation. In the relative dark of the car, his eyes shone with desire as he leaned over to cup her face in one palm, lifting it for a slow, sensual kiss.