"Have you seen the new IT guy they just hired? He's an absolute hunk."

Katie laughed and shook her head. "I've been too busy."

Bibi sighed and brushed back a strand of her curly brunette hair. "If I weren't such a dyke, I'd be all over him in a second. He's gorgeous." She leaned forward conspiratorially, "His name is Brad and you can see him tonight. A bunch of us are going to Le Bistro for Happy Hour and you're coming with me."

Always self-conscious about her chubby figure, Katie hesitated. "I don't know."

"Come on. You know Mizz Iron Pants will be there and we can watch her slither around and see how the new guy reacts."

Katie giggled at the mention of the mean spirited marketing manager. She was a failed but still attractive cougar on the hunt, competent at her job, though utterly ruthless. Everyone disliked her for her sarcastic and hateful remarks and because she always took credit for their work. She would stop at nothing to further her career. Fortunately, neither Katie nor Bibi reported to her.

"I guess I could go for one drink."

Bibi smacked her hands together and stood up. "Wonderful! I'll see you in a little while."

Le Bistro was busy, but not yet packed with the usual end of week corporate drones as Katie and Bibi made their way toward the familiar crowd at the bar. Bibi squeezed Katie's arm. "There he is."

Katie almost stopped in her tracks and her heart skipped as a warm tingle washed over her. The man at the center of attention was striking under any circumstances. He was tall, tanned, and with a touch of prematurely grey hair at his temples that accentuated his black hair.

Bibi raised her voice. "Hi, peoples."

He turned to look at the new arrivals. He had the biggest, bluest eyes Katie had ever seen.

Bibi marched straight for him and held out her hand. "Hi. You must be the new IT manager. I'm Bibi. I work in accounting."

Brad smiled in return. "Yes. I'm Brad Winslow." He turned his attention toward Katie and looked her up and down with that appraising look she'd come to recognize, but his smile grew broad and his blue eyes twinkled. He held out his hand to her. "And you are?"

Katie took his hand and a jolt coursed through her like electricity. They locked eyes for a moment until she managed to choke out, "I'm Katie" and withdrew her hand.

Bibi interjected. "She actually works in your department helping design the graphics for the software."

Brad returned his gaze to Katie. "Really? We'll have to get together and talk about your graphics. I've seen your work."

Katie dropped her eyes and flushed crimson. "Oh, I just try to do good design." The heat spread down her chest and into her abdomen where it sat like a smoldering ember. "I'd like..."

"Hello, everyone. I'm here now." Angela's voice preceded her through the crowd as she elbowed her way up to them, greeting other co-workers as she approached. "Hey, Tom. Hi, Eve, how's it going?"

She stopped up to Brad. "You remember me from the meeting this morning, don't you?"

Brad's smile faded and he nodded. "Oh, yes. I remember."

She turned to the two women. "Nice to see you, Bibi. And Katie. I like that sweater."

"Thank you."

"I think it's so nice they're getting a bit of style in some of the larger sizes."

Katie and Bibi stood in shocked silence, unable to speak.

Angela took Brad's arm and pulled him around. "There are some people here I want you to meet."

Brad twisted his head around as he was led away and raised his eyebrows as if he didn't know what to do and then they disappeared into the crowd.

Bibi tugged on Katie's arm. "Let's get a drink."

Anger tears stung the corners of Katie's eyes. "That bitch!"

"Take deep breaths. You know how she is."

"Yeah. Tomorrow will be better."