Addy
I tap my pencil against my desk nervously. I got to work at eight, as I always do, yet I’ve spent the last two hours doing absolutely nothing. That’s different from my regular routine. Usually, I’m extremely productive but this morning is a mess. I’m a bundle of nerves, and the three cups of coffee I’ve already had don’t help the jitters.
My cheeks flush by themselves. Unfortunately, the image of what I saw last night is still front and center in my brain. I can’t stop thinking about Marcus’s naked body, even though it’s completely taboo. Marissa gets to enjoy that every night?
Yet I have to stop. Marissa is my boss and Marcus is her husband. I should not be having illicit thoughts about a man who’s utterly forbidden. Not to mention, Marcus is CEO of the House of Steele. He handles the business side, whereas his wife is the creative director, and his signature is literally on my paycheck. I definitely shouldn’t be having these thoughts given his position of power.
But why were Marissa and Marcus having sex at work? It’s not like his office is comfortable. Don’t they live in a penthouse somewhere in Manhattan? Then again, Marissa and Marcus Steele co-own the House of Steele, so I suppose the two of them can do whatever they want in the office. It’s not my place to judge them for enjoying each other on Marcus’s desk. Heck, if they want to do it out on the shop floor in front of everyone that would be their prerogative. They’re in charge around here.
I sigh and look down at my pattern sketches. I need to decide where the seam should be on the skirt. When I made my sample, I did a single side seam, but I think there need to be two. Should they be front and back or on the sides? I can’t decide just looking at the sample, and of course, my thoughts slide by themselves back over to Marcus’s impressive anatomy. Holy shit, that was big. What would it feel like inside of me?
Suddenly, Jemima walks in the door, giggling. Her face is flushed and she actually looks a little disheveled.
“Good morning, you. What’s so funny today?”
Jemima blushes.
“Nothing. I was just in the elevator with Marcus and he is sooooo hot.”
I feel my cheeks go red. Jemima is an excellent designer but she’s kind of ditzy and scatterbrained. Thank god she doesn’t notice my reaction to her announcement as I try to pretend everything’s normal.
“I know, right? But you’re getting in kind of late. Everything okay?”
She giggles again.
“Oh, yeah. I had a dentist appointment this morning. Everything’s great, thank god, because I don’t think I could handle another cavity. I hate it when they have to drill. Although I know I’d let Marcus Steele drill me any day.”
“Ha ha!” I say, with a pained smile. “And the scraping they do drives me crazy. It’s like they’re excavating a pit in my mouth.”
Jemima shudders.
“I used to feel the same way, but it’s no big deal because I have no cavities! Yay! I better get to work.”
I laugh and nod.
“Okay girlfriend. Just let me know if you want to bounce any ideas off me.”
Jemima smiles and goes over to her desk to get set up while I head over to talk with an assistant. Hopefully, Leena won’t mention anything about our gorgeous CEO.
“How are things going over here?” I ask the younger woman. Leena’s a talented seamstress and smiles at me while threading a sewing machine.
“Pretty good, Addy. I’ll have a mock up for you on the overalls you gave me later today.”
“Great, I’m excited to see your work,” I say while smiling encouragingly. I’m an assistant manager of sorts sometimes. Technically, Marissa is in charge, but she likes to delegate, and as a result, sometimes I’m the one overseeing things. I don’t mind. I think the kids we have here are great, not to mention really talented. I love helping them bring their ideas to life, and seeing what we can create together.
I check in with a few of the other assistants before returning to my desk. Thankfully, my head feels a bit clearer now. No more illicit thoughts of naked men and their enormous tools! My cheeks flush but no one notices, and I bite my lip. I have to keep my mind occupied, otherwise today is going to be completely wasted.
Jemima is over at her station sketching something on her design pad, and I decide to approach her.
“Hey, Jem?” I call out. She looks up.
“What’s up?”
“Would you mind trying on the dress I made yesterday?”
Her face lights up.
“I’d love to! Just give me a minute.” She finishes up her sketch before coming over to grab the sample from me before disappearing down the hall to the bathroom. I’m a little nervous. What if she totally hates it? The dress looked fine on a mannequin, but the true test is putting it on a human body.
Once again, I’m struck at how much it sucks that our samples are for a size zero body. If we made clothes for women like me, I could try the dress on myself instead of asking someone else to do it. Then I wouldn’t have this extreme anxiety, and we could get on with our days.
I glance at the door. It’s only been a couple of minutes, but I wish Jemima would hurry up and get back in here. Maybe the dress ripped because I’m bad at sewing. Or maybe she can’t get it on because I screwed up while crafting the garment.
You’re being ridiculous, I think. The dress was fine when you put it on the mannequin.
After a few deep breaths, I’m calm, and Jemima returns. She grins.
“Sorry about the wait. I ran into Chase from accounting and he would not stop talking to me about how important the resort line is. Like, buddy, I’ve worked here for years. I know it’s important.”
I laugh, covering my anxiety.
“No worries. Thanks for putting the dress on. It looks so good on you!”
She smiles.
“It does, doesn’t it? I love the high-low skirt because it’s so now. The neckline I wasn’t sure about, but even with my not-so-ample chest, it looks great.”
“Thanks,” I say, walking in a circle around Jem, studying my work. The outfit does look good, and the material hangs beautifully. Then, I reach forward. “I envisioned the straps lower on the arms though. Can I adjust?”
“Sure thing.”
I fix the straps and walk around Jemima again, who’s striking a few different poses for me. It’s pretty amusing to watch her play top model, but it’s fine. The seams are holding, and I decide the two sides are the best places to sew the skirt. I wouldn’t be able to hide them in both the front and back, so it makes sense.
“Okay, I think I’m good. Thank you so much, Jem. You’re an amazing fit model.”
She grins.
“I’m always here for you, girlfriend. I think Marissa would be crazy to say no to this one, but if she does, the sample is mine. I hope you know that.”
I stick my tongue out at her and laugh.
“The sample is yours even if she says yes. I’d never make you buy one of my designs. That doesn’t make any sense. We’re co-workers.”
She rolls her eyes.
“You know I already buy every single one of your samples, Addy.”
I blush.
“Thanks, Jemima. I appreciate it.”
With that, Jemima goes off to change and I finish up my pattern. I’ll bring it to show the team later today, and see what feedback they have. After all, this is a team effort. Sure, Marissa’s the creative director but really, all of us work together to put together three collections a year. There’s no one individual who does everything.
Suddenly, Marcus’s assistant materializes out of nowhere.
“Hey everyone, can you come to the conference room please? We’re having a firm-wide meeting. Thanks.”
Then she turns on her heel and leaves before any of us can ask questions. We have firm-wide meetings maybe once a month, but we usually get an itinerary in advance. This one is out of the blue, which makes me nervous. What could the meeting be about? I have no idea, but I have a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach that everything is about to change.