I told her that a delivery was coming for Sue after she went to lunch. She reminded me that "the girls" went to lunch at twelve. I told her to do everything she needed to do so they actually left at twelve. She asked why and I said the delivery was important in that I wanted it seen by as many people as possible before Sue saw it. I told her that another woman would be coming into the office to collect a $500 prize. She was to read the card and then meet the prize committee just outside the building for pictures. I had to tell Marge that the woman was the fiancé of the man Sue had been screwing. She gave me her condolences. I offered Marge $20 for every person who read the card before Sue did. She said that sounded like she could make some good money. I promised her cash. I gave her my cell number and told her to call me when Sue and company left for lunch.
I called the florist and said not to deliver until I called back. He said OK. I drove downtown and parked near the florist and where I could see the front doors and the deli. At one minute after twelve my cell rang.
I was anxious. Would my plan work? I would soon find out. I thanked Marge and hung up. Less than a minute later Sue and the girls walked out of the building and down the sidewalk to the deli. She really looked good in her black skirt, white blouse and heels.
The florist answered on the first ring. I told him to deliver. He hung up and personally carried the huge beautiful bouquet and vase across the street and into the building.
I sat in my car and waited. It didn't take too long. I saw a woman come rushing out of the building and run to the deli. Less than a minute later Sue and her ladies were rushing back to the building. As they entered the building my cell rang again. Marge put the woman on the phone.
"This is a trick! He's been on a job out of town for two days!"
"No. He's been parking his blue Ford truck in my parking spot and screwing my fiancé for the past two nights. A woman is about to come into the office. Her name is Sue. Watch her face as she reads the note. You'll know I speak the truth. When you know, meet me outside the building."
She met me. I gave her the thousand. I told her that it was worth the thousand to save both of us from ruining our lives. She was crying as she walked away.
Ten minutes later my cell rang. It was either Sue or Marge.
I answered. It was Marge.
"They took the vase and flowers into Sue's office. Sue was crying. They closed the door. The other woman never said anything to Sue. She watched Sue's face and heard her friends say, "Looks like you're busted."
"How much do I owe you?"
"$20 each, right?"
"Yes. How many people read the card?"
"Thirty-six! But that isn't the best! Lots of the people who saw the card are supervisors."
"You get a bonus! Where do you want the money sent?"
"I'd like you to hand it to me at dinner."
"Where?"
She gave me an address. I assumed it was hers. I said, "Eight?"
She said, "Perfect!" and the call was over.
At eight I walked up to her door and had ten one hundred dollar bills in my pocket. She opened the door wearing lounging pajamas and an apron. She really looked edible. The silky material seemed to be caressing her and from the way her nipples were pointing hard at me I assumed she liked how the material felt. The smells of Italian food greeted me as well.
Inside, she took my jacket and asked if I wanted a glass of wine. I mentioned that I was here to give her the money she had earned. She stepped close to me and said, "I don't want the money. I want you."
She kissed me. She tasted of wine. Good wine. I returned the kiss. When it broke she smiled at me.
"Hungry?"
"Yes, now that you mention it, I am."
She served lasagna that was obviously not store bought. Obvious because I saw the kitchen. Store bought doesn't take that kind of preparation. It was wonderful. I said so.
"Flattery will get you anything you want."
"It wasn't flattery. It is the truth."
"The truth will get you me."
"Why?"
"Sue gives good women a bad name. Sue treated a good man like shit. I don't want that good man to think all women are sluts like her."
"Are you different?"
"Yes. I was married and he wandered. That was six years ago. I haven't been on a date or in bed with a man between then and now. I am not a slut. I have never fucked around. I've been in bed with two men in my life. The man I gave my virginity to and my husband. With any luck, the next man in bed with me will be you."
"But, why me?"
"I saw and heard how Sue used you for the last two years and how good you were to her. I know that you are a good man. Your response to her cheating says that too. I have thought for two years that I could love again if I could find a man like you. Today, I did."
My cell picked that moment to ring. I answered. It was Sue. She was crying. "Nick, please come home. It was a mistake. I'm so sorry."
"It isn't my home. It can't be my home when another man uses my condoms to fuck my fiancé six times! Wait! You just said it was a mistake? I'll come to your apartment right now and I'll marry you just like we planned if you can explain to me how you justify fucking someone else six times."
"It was a mistake. He blackmailed me into doing it! I am sorry. Please forgive me."
"Blackmailed? How? I have to know and I have to believe or we're done."
"I don't want to tell you. You'll hate me."
"No. I don't hate you and I don't believe you. You are a memory. By the way when you got back to your office today did you see a woman there that you didn't know?"
"Yes, I saw her."
"At noon today she was engaged to Dale Jacobson. She came to your office to watch your face when you read the card. I don't think they are engaged any more. You and Dale can fuck each other forever now."
"I am so sorry! Can't you believe me?"
"No. It was a mistake and you may never know how big a mistake, for you. I will probably never see you again. I'm fine with that. I found out that you have been using me and cheating me out of love I thought I was giving you. I am a man who doesn't get cheated again after I find out I was cheated the first time." I hung up. Then I disconnected the power to the phone.
I stood up and apologized to Marge for interrupting her with a wrong number. She stood and offered herself again. I took her in my arms and whispered:
"I haven't bedded anyone except Sue in three years. I'm not sure anymore how to start first-time sex."
Marge smiled and gently kissed me again.
"I think I remember how to do this. If I'm wrong we may need to do it over and over till we get it right." She took my hand and led me to her bedroom. It was the soft and frilly bedroom of a romantic woman who lives alone. It stopped me cold.
"Marge, I am going to make you an offer I pray you don't refuse. This has been your sanctuary for years. I am honored that you invite me here. I counter-offer that we get in my car and go to my hotel. I'm staying at the Bel-Age in Beverly Hills. You can call in sick in the morning and we can have room service bring us a wonderful breakfast that we can eat in bed."
She let go of my hand and pointed to a chair.