Free Romance: Seducing The Quarterback by Stacie Duncan

lines.”
    There was a moment of silent tension between the two women.
Nicole knew that everyone in the office was probably listening to every word
they exchanged. Maybe they all had put Janet up to this. Maybe they had chosen
Janet to send Nicole the message that they were not happy with the way she was
being treated.
    Austin was the only person that she could rely on in the
office. She figured that everyone else was against her. She wasn’t used to
being so isolated. She had always been good at integrating into different work
environments. She did her work well and punctually and she treated everyone
with respect. That was usually enough to get her on good terms with most
people. But this job, her first in real estate, was proving to be much
different than anything she had ever experienced.
    She took several deep breaths and tried to calm herself. She
was afraid of what would happen if she found herself alone with Janet. She
didn’t want to show any fear or hesitancy. If people sensed that she was
afraid, they would feel emboldened to come after her in more direct ways.
    Right now everything was happening just below the surface.
It was clear that there was plenty of tension in the office. But everyone was
doing their best to pretend that they didn’t notice anything.
    Once Nicole had calmed her nerves, she got up from her seat.
The two women walked towards the elevator. As they moved between the cubicles,
several pairs of eyes turned in their direction. Nicole scrutinized the faces
of her co-workers, especially the women. She sensed anger and jealousy in their
eyes. They wanted revenge and they weren’t going to wait for it.
    Nicole felt her legs begin to wobble beneath her. Maybe this
was a setup. Maybe a group of her co-workers were just waiting for the perfect
opportunity to corner and confront her, to let her know that the best thing for
her would be to find another job.
    The two women stepped into the elevator. A sly smiled played
on Janet’s lips. It was the most frightening smile Nicole had ever seen on a
woman’s face.
    They stepped out of the elevator and walked down a long
hallway to the building cafeteria.
    Without turning her head towards Nicole, Janet began
speaking. “You think you’re the only one who’s ever been chosen by Austin?”
    Nicole didn’t know how to respond so she kept her mouth shut
and waited for Janet to continue. She figured that letting her talk, no matter
what she said, was the best strategy. No matter what happened she would be sure
to gain some insight into what exactly was going on in the office.
    No more words were exchanged before they sat down at a table
and began eating. Nicole cast her eyes around the large cafeteria. There
weren’t many people in there and that worried her. What if Janet began
threatening her? What if Janet attacked her?
    Nicole did her best to calm her nerves. She would have to
defend herself. That would be her only option. No one was going to save her,
not even Austin.
    “You never answered my question,” Janet said. “Do you really
think that you’re the only one?”
    Nicole swallowed and struggled to make eye contact. She knew
that it would be dangerous for her to reveal any sense of fear but she couldn’t
help herself. Janet’s angry, bitter energy was just too intense.
    “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about,” Nicole
said.
    Janet glared at her without saying a word. She didn’t have
to. Her eyes clearly communicated her contempt and disdain.
    “Don’t try to bullshit me,” Janet said between clenched
teeth. “You know exactly what I am talking about. Do you think you’re the only
one?”
    Nicole sighed. She realized that there was no point in
feigning ignorance. She wouldn’t find out anything that way. But there was no
way that she would admit to what precisely had gone on inside Austin’s office.
    “Apparently, you know what he does,” Nicole said. “So why
are you wasting time asking me questions that you already