Let's Make Up

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John kissed Molly as soon as they got inside. He felt passion and intensity towards her that made him wonder if he'd ever actually been happy before. He loved the way she kissed him back and he didn't want to ever stop being attached to her. Molly had her arms around his neck, the way he seemed to like, and he pushed her against the door. He put his arm up to steady himself over her and assert his dominance when he noticed the time on his watch.

"s**t. I thought we'd have more time. I guess lunch really will just be lunch."

Molly only laughed and said she'd start preparing some food for them.

They ate while talking about nothing in particular and John thought it felt even better than having a lunchtime quickie. He'd never been one for small talk, but he liked getting to know more about her and that not everything they did, had to hold profound importance.

The car ride back to the office, Molly got embarrassed after taking his hand from the steering wheel to hold it. She went to move it back when he told her to keep it the way it was, enjoying that she reached out for him and feeling like he was in a cheesey romance movie.

"Okay, so, I did say that there's no policy against dating, but we do still have to disclose it." John told her once they got back to their filing cabinet cavern.

"Oof. That's going to be kinda awkward isn't it? Do we have to meet with someone and tell them?" Molly asked, sounding a little distressed. "I don't know what I'd say. 'Hi, I haven't even worked here a full week but I need to tell you I'm going out with my boss'." She said, mocking herself.

"Don't worry, it's just paperwork. People don't need to be told. We just have to sign it and file it." John explained.

"I don't want to sound like a jerk, so don't take it the wrong way, but why do we need to do this?" She asked.

"It's just policy I guess."

"But what's the reason? Is it supposed to protect us or the company?" Molly pressured him for a full answer.

"I've never really thought about it, since I never had to do this before, but maybe both." He told her honestly, "I suppose it's sortof like if we're seen kissing, then we have the contract signed to show that it's not a power imbalance or inappropriate thing and the company doesn't get associated with any bad press or something similar."

"Alright, that kind of makes sense. You're not worried that if something were to go wrong that my date of employment, compared to the date we sign this, looks pretty close?" Molly continued to question.

John signed his copy and patted her thigh.

"I'm not worried."

He handed her a pen and asked if she wanted to sign it as well, but that it wasn't a big deal if she wanted to take another day to think about it. Molly signed and dated it, and looked up at him, smiling after.

"So I can call you Johnny while we're at work now?"

"You can call me anything you want." He said smiling back. "I should say though, PDA is still frowned upon."

Molly tugged at his tie the way she had earlier in the day and pouted playfully at him.

"But you're my big boss, can't you just tell people to move along if they've got a problem?"

"I've got half a mind to take you to the final processing room again, lock the door, and stay there all day. Unfortunately I have some things to attend and you do as well."

He replied while trying to keep his cool.

Molly pulled out her planner, blew him an air kiss and went off to grab a coffee before heading to the conference room.

The meetings went fine and were just simple issues that Molly thought could've been saved for a memo, but she also got to sit in during an interview for a new receptionist. She wouldn't normally be part of the hiring process since all who would usually be required to attend would be the manager and one HR rep-- which would be John, since he had more knowledge and time with the company. Because Molly was still acquainting herself in the office, she had to be there just in case there was a scenario or day that John couldn't be there and she would have to fill his place.

A young woman, who looked to be barely legal age, sat down across the office manager, whom Molly had only met once since John was the only person involved in hiring her and her schedule didn't usually have her cross paths with him. She and John sat only a little ways away while still close enough to take part in any discussion. The woman introduced herself as Lacie Johnson. She had styled and highlighted hair, nice but revealing clothing, and an expensive name-brand hand bag. The way she talked was very youthful and flirty which the manager seemed to like a lot. John didn't say anything, but took notes on all her responses to their questions. Lacie batted her eyes at John and stuck her tongue in her cheek before saying she hoped he was only writing good things about her while looking him over like she was starving and he was a hot meal.

Molly felt the reminiscent jealousy that reared itself often when she had worked with Julien.

"I like your bag." She told Lacie out of nowhere.

Both the manager and John looked at Molly, giving cues to drop it, but she continued,

"It looks like it's from the latest collection. Is it authentic?"

Lacie told her it was and joked about having a shopping addiction.

Then Molly asked about her shoes and the woman replied similarly, making a comment about Molly knowing her brands and having expensive taste.

John interrupted their girl talk with annoyance and asked why she wanted the position. Lacie explained she needed a job to save up for school and that she had an interest in magazines. Molly just figured she came in to find a sugar daddy and have a relaxed work schedule to possibly get a parent or partner off her back while earning extra cash on the side. She seemed inexperienced and unlikely to be able to afford the luxurious items she had with her, on her own. The manager joked around saying she looked like she could be a model in their filler or ad pages, clearly distracted by her cleavage and overfilled lips, so Molly cut in again.

"What's the best method to reach you at? Call or text?" She asked.

"Definitely text. I hate calls, so annoying." Lacie replied, using her fake nails to tap her cellphone that she had put on the table before the interview had even started.

"Yeah, super annoying, right?" Molly said, matching the girl's preppy voice and looking at John with a knowing smile.

The manager was silent and John took over, "Are you aware that as receptionist you'd have to take phone calls several times a day?"

Her face fell.

"Oh... of course. I just meant... personal calls." She tried to save herself with an insincere giggle.

John closed his folder and got up. He nodded to the manager, motioned for Molly to follow him, and very coldly told the interviewee that she wouldn't be hearing from them.

Molly loved how John didn't even offer any pleasantries toward Lacie, such as telling her that she just wasn't right at the time or thanking her for coming in and wishing her a good rest of the day. He looked thoughtful and she figured she had no place to step in like that.

"I'm sorry I got involved. " She told John, searching his eyes.

"How did you know? You started talking like a Valley Girl and then somehow, out of nowhere, you exposed her for being a total waste of time." He said. "I can't believe I was actually irritated that you started talking about her accessories."

She was still a little nervous. "You're not upset with me though? I know I shouldn't have overstepped my boundaries."

He laughed with a hint of surprise and exasperation. "Are you kidding me? That was incredible! You just keep proving yourself and I must say, I'm more than impressed. I want you to be there for every interview!"

Molly was filled with relief, as well as pride, that John gave her such a good sounding compliment.

"Thanks, Johnny, you know... I really hated the way she looked at you."

John realized she had reacted out of feeling possessive.

"You don't have to worry, Molly. I promise."

She looked away at hearing those words, knowing she'd heard them before, while hoping that the man saying them this time would follow through.

He told her to look at him again, lifting her chin.

"I already told you, I don't want anyone else. I only want you."