Michael came back from his lunch break and checked his breath against the palm of his hand as he walked in the building. Satisfied the breath mint was doing its job, he took a deep breath and headed for the front desk. Relax, he told himself. You’re only about to risk total humiliation.
He fidgeted as he waited for the receptionist to look up. He’d been working at the Buffalo branch office for a month and the sight of Carol was the only thing that kept him from going insane. She was young and blond and absolutely gorgeous.
“Yes?” she asked, finally looking up. “Oh, yes... hi.”
“Hey.”
“Uh...”
“Can I help you?”
“Well, I thought... I was wondering... Uh, what are you doing tonight?”
“Coming back here for the Christmas party, like everybody else.”
“Right, yes, of course. You see, I was
