The next few days Robert found himself avoiding Katy at work and Linda at home. Then again, the latter wasn’t too difficult as Linda avoided him as well. It wasn’t until Mr. Baxter called and invited Robert, Katy, and the rest of Robert’s best workers to a small dinner at a nearby pub to, quote-unquote, “get to know one another without the stiffness of business and work.”
Robert forego his traditional business casual suit jacket, button down shirt, and matching trousers for a pair of camel brown cardigan, white button up, dark brown belt, a dark pair of denim jeans, and a pair of J. Crew loafers.
Neither he nor Linda spoke to one another as he drove them to the pub. He sighed when Linda stepped from the car, slamming the door behind herself. Robert stepped from the car and hurried inside himself. The pub was somewhat busy with the various other workers already there as well as several other patrons.
Mr. Baxter’s assistant, Mr. Oppenheimer, stood and hurried over to Robert. “Hello again, Mr. Callahan.” They shook hands. “Mrs. Callahan. Unfortunately, Mr. Baxter got held up. He ran over glass and got a flat.”
“I see,” Robert said.
“He should be here in about thirty minutes,” Mr. Oppenheimer said before he turned back to the table. The door opened behind them, and Katy stepped inside. Her face brightened when she saw Robert.
“Hello, Mr Callahan,” Katy said as she removed her denim jacket. She looked him up and down. “You look nice.”
“Thank you,” Robert said softly. He glanced at Linda. “This is–.”
“I’m his wife,” Linda hissed.
Katy’s smile waivered slightly, clenching her jacket. “I’m Katy.” She held out her hand.
Linda glared at her hand, glancing back up at her. “So you’re Katy?”
“Yes. I am,” Katy said, lowering her hand.
Linda frowned as she looked the young woman up and down. “You’re shorter than what I thought you’d be.” Katy merely stared at her. Linda took Robert’s arm in her hands. “My Robbie tends to like his girls on the taller side.”
Katy arched her brows. Robert’s face grew a dark red.
“Linda, that’s not–,” Robert started, with a shake of his head.
“I’m gonna find an empty seat before they’re all gone. Excuse me,” Katy said quickly before hurrying around them. Robert huffed as Linda smiled to herself.
“Must you act like this?” Robert asked, looking at her.
“I think I went fairly easy on her.”
Robert frowned at her. “Keep acting like this, and I might actually sleep with her.” He tore his arm from her grasp.
Linda forced a laugh. “Darling.” She reached up and smoothed back a strand of his dark brown hair. “Wouldn’t that be against work ethics?”
“As much as your work ethic about sleeping with your client.” She froze. Her face hardened.
“I’m not sleeping with Carl.”
“And I’m not sleeping with Katy. So put a pin in it.”
The door opened again. This time, a tall well built man with light bronze skin stepped inside. Robert frowned as he turned back to his wife.
“Isn’t that a coincidence?” Robert asked. Linda fell silent. “Let me guess. Because Katy was here, you thought you’d get back at me by inviting Carl here?” Linda chewed on her bottom lip. “Typical.” Robert huffed, rolling his eyes. “Just stay away from me tonight.”
Linda’s eyes widened. “You can’t–.”
“I am serious.” He put his hands in his pockets. “I’m genuinely tired of this.” He stepped around her. “Have fun with him.” Linda frowned as he stormed off.
Katy watched as Robert stepped outside on the patio. Grabbing her purse and jacket, she hurried after him.
“Mr. Callahan?” Katy asked as she stepped closer.
Robert turned towards her. “I’m okay, Katy. You should rejoin the others. I just need a moment to myself. That’s all.”
Katy frowned at him. “Do you want a hug?”
Robert fell silent before he turned to her. “Sure.” He wrapped his arms around her waist as she put her arms around his neck. Her breasts pressed against his chest. She felt as soft as he thought she would be. Robert moaned softly. “You feel nice.”
Katy smiled. “Thank you.” She stepped back from him. “Are you and your wife going to have any children?”
Robert glanced away, crossing his arms over his chest. “No. We’re not.” Robert swallowed hard.
“Do you want children?” Katy asked, cocking her head to one side.
“I do. Linda doesn’t.” Robert frowned.
“Too bad. I think you’d make a great father.”
“I’d like to think so too.” He crossed his arms, leaning against the bannister.
Katy chuckled softly. “Maybe you should try to find someone who’d be willing to give you a baby.”
Robert looked at her. Their gazes met. He felt his face grow hot. “Do you–?”
“Robbie!” Linda cried, stepping out on the patio. “I wanna go home.” Robert stood up straighter.
“Linda, I can’t leave just yet. I need to wait until Mr. Baxter gets here.”
“Then give me the keys. I’ll go home by myself.”
Robert frowned at her. “Ask Carl to take you home. We both know he’s gonna be more than willing to help you out.”
Her mouth fell open. “Well.” She glanced away from him. “Maybe I should.” She turned away and started to head inside but stopped and looked back at him. “Didn’t want to be here anyways.” Linda stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
Robert huffed as he turned away. “Fucking ey.”
“Would you like to go after her?”
Robert bit his bottom lip. “Actually, I need space from her.” He shook his head lightly.
Katy frowned. She lowered her gaze. “Would you like space from me?”