IRE Scoville Scale: Tastefully Wicked











“I’m considering leaving the firm.”


“Tammy, you can’t be serious. Why would you want to do that?” Liz asked. Tammy lowered her head, hiding the tears that were quickly filling her eyes. Liz grabbed her by the forearm and pulled her into an empty office. Liz sat facing her on the sofa. “What’s happened? Did he make a move on you?”

“Who?” Tammy sniffed.

“You know who. That weasel, Mr. Ulrich. I can’t stand that man.”

“No, he hasn’t tried anything. I just need…I just want some time away from all of this. I can’t anymore Liz. I’m cracking.” She sobbed. Liz held Tammy’s head against her shoulder comforting her as best she could.

“Calm down. Mr. Carpenter will be home tomorrow and he’ll sort out everything. You’ll see. It’ll fine. You’re overworked, Tammy. Tell Mr. Woodson that you’re stressed and want to withdraw from the case. There’re plenty of legal secretaries can take your place.”

“I know. That’s what I’m afraid of. I’m actually enjoying the work itself but,” Tammy hesitated. Though she trusted Liz, the extent of her relationship with John was still a delicate matter. “I need a break. I’ve been working day and night. We all have!”

“Talk to Mr. Woodson about returning to your normal duties for a week or so, just enough time to settle yourself. Besides, I could really use your help. Mr. Carpenter is running me ragged.”

Tammy sat up, drying her tears. “I’m sorry for dumping all of this on you. How has it been working for him?”

Liz kicked her feet up on the table in front of them. “Things have been great. I mean, he keeps me busy as hell but he’s not a dick like Mr. Ulrich.” She smiled. “Ms. Turner is returning with him.”

“Who’s Ms. Turner?” frowned Tammy.

“She’s one of the attorneys from the Los Angeles office. I believe she specializes in merges and acquisitions. She and Mr. Carpenter have known one another since they were undergrads. She’s a clever young lady but I heard there was a problem, if you know what I mean, last year when she came up for partner. It appears she was sleeping with one of the senior partners.”

“So.”

Liz closed her eyes in exhaustion. “He was married.”

“Tammy’s eyes widened. “It’s probably just rumors.”

“I doubt it. For her career to be running parallel to Mr. Carpenter’s, he should’ve been promoted already---unless there was a problem.” She yawned. “Maybe in the time she and Mr. Carpenter have been spending together has done her some good. I’d hate to see her throw her career away.”

“They’ve been spending a lot of time together? How much time?”

“Based on his expense report, every waking moment. Why?”

“No reason. I hope he’s been working since he’s been out there.” Tammy tried masking her jealousy with concern. “I don’t want him pushing his work off on you.”

“Not at all. Dennis has been taking care of most of his day to day business, leaving me to handle everything else.”

“Did he tell you why Ms. Turner would be returning with him?”

“He didn’t go into great detail but he mentioned something about the Mr. Cates account. Who knows. “Liz remarked, crossing her arms over her chest, and easing into the sofa for a well deserved cat nap.

“It’ll be good to have a new face around here.” Tammy said walking towards the door, leaving Liz where she lie. “I have to get back to work. Thanks, I’ll talk to Mr. Carpenter.”

“Well, he moved on pretty fast.” Tammy thought to herself as she strolled back to work.


                          ***************


“Are you ready to leave? The car should be here in fifteen minutes.” John asked Carrie, who was struggling to close her suitcase. “Here, let me do that.” He nudged her away, zipping the bag while Carrie hugged him from behind.

“What would I do without you?” she said into his back.

“You’d never make it to the airport on time that’s for sure. Why in the hell do women pack so such for short trips.”

“Because that’s what women do. And who knows, maybe I’ll be staying longer than expected.”

“Like I said before, we’ll see. I’m not promising anything.” John said moving away from Carrie’s embrace. “You know that I love you.”

“You love me like a sister but I want more, John.”

“I can’t give that to you. Not right now.”

“When will you be ready?”

He turned, smiling at the bratty look on Carrie’s face. “Soon, maybe. But for now we will remain as we have always been. Friends.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and carried her bags to the front door.

“Are you sure you want to make this trip?” he asked. “You don’t have to come. It’s not like you can’t manage the Cates account from here.”

She followed, not willing to let him slip away that easily. “Of course I’m coming along with you. I need to get out of the office for a while anyway. It’s no problem.” She paused. “You know I’m not going to wait forever.”

He placed her bags atop his. “I never thought you would. I’m surprised you’ve waited this long.” John replied taking her into him arms.

Carrie buried her face in his chest. “I’ll wait because I know you’re worth it.”

John knew Carrie’s words were true. She’d have given up everything to be with him. But he’s never felt anything for her beyond friendship.

And what he’d felt for Tammy made taking the next step with Carrie more difficult. All the hearts he’d broken. All the women that he’d passed over in his selfish pursuits. All of the one-sided relationships were all in preparation for what he’d found with Tammy. She’d managed a feat no other women, not even Carrie, could claim. She’d tamed him.

Even if their relationship was over, John was thankful to have had Tammy. She’d made him a more thoughtful, humble man…. a man worthy of Carrie’s affection. He’s playboy days were over. “Now, if I could get over Tammy I’d all set.” John thought to himself, holding Carrie against him.


                      ***************


“Can I get a copy of the Cates files?” Jeff asked Liz.

“Sorry, I can’t. Those files are only open to Mr. Carpenter and Dennis. You’ll have to petition them for access.” She glanced up from her work long enough to shoot him a look utter contempt. Unlike the other secretaries, she wasn’t dazzled by his charm. “Why do you need them? Mr. Cates has nothing to do with Belen account you’re working on.”

“Dennis asked me to look over a few things for him. I was only trying to help.” Jeff remarked taken off guard by Liz’s rudeness.

Liz stood crossing her arms over her chest and staring Jeff up and down. “If Dennis wants you to have access to those files then he can call me directly and you’ll have them waiting on your desk. But until then, they’re sealed.”

“Fine.” Jeff conceded with a cocky grimace. “Excuse me.” He said almost knocking Tammy over as he left.

“What did he want? Tammy asked see Liz’s irritated demeanor.

“I don’t know but he’s up to something,” Liz answered, not taking her eyes off of Jeff as he walked away. “Do me a favor. Every night before you leave the office, make a PDF break up of the Cates files and be sure to use the time and date stamp. Email me a copy and keep a copy for yourself. I don’t know what he’s got up his sleeve but it’s not
good.”

Tammy wasn’t certain what she’d walked into but if Liz was this concerned then it was in her best interest to play along. “Sure, I’m in. I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Thanks. For him to be so handsome, he rubs me the wrong way.” Liz chuckled. “Mr. Carpenter is back. He and Ms. Turner are in his office if you need to talk to him. I’ve got to get down to Mr. Woodson’s office. Talk to you later.”

“Yeah, bye.” Tammy whispered. She’d been dreading this meeting all day but thought it best to get it over with. She straightened her hair and checked her makeup. “Here goes nothing.” She thought as knocked on John’s door.

“Come in” he called.

Tammy entered; Carrie wasn’t what she’d expected, she was White. John stood from behind his desk, his eyes smiled at Tammy.

“Ms. Jones, this is Ms. Turner, an old friend and colleague from our Los Angeles office. Ms. Turner, this is Ms. Jones, my secretary.” He said.

Carrie extended her hand to Tammy. “Please call me Carrie. It’s nice to finally meet you. John speaks very highly of you. It seems you’re more than just his secretary.”

Tammy’s hand froze in hers, wondering what exactly John had revealed about their relationship. “Oh?”

“Yeah, I hear he relies on you for almost everything,” Carries said. “And that you’re making quite a name for yourself working on the Belen account. Keep it up and I’ll snatch you away from him. My legal secretary isn’t worth shit.”

Tammy smiled. “I’ll have to keep that in mind when he gets out of hand.”

“Hey, get your own. Tammy belongs to me.” John remarked. Tammy’s heart sank. “Is there something I can help you with?” he asked.

“No. I was stopping by to see how the two of you were settling in.”

“We’re fine. Liz has taken care of everything.”

“We were heading out to lunch if you’d like to join us.” Carrie offered.

“I’m sorry, I can’t. Mr. Woodson has us pretty busy.” Tammy answered. “How long will you be here?”

“A couple of weeks or so,” Carrie turned to John. “Maybe more.”

Tammy felt a rush of anxiety come over her. She tried to mask it with a polite smile but John wasn’t fooled. He ached for her, this wasn’t what he wanted. “I was telling Liz yesterday that it would be nice having a new face in the office. I’m sure we’ll have a chance to get to know one another before you leave.”

“I’m sure we will.” Carrie said.

Tammy wanted to talk to John further but present company made it impossible. “Well, I’d better get but to work. It’s was nice to meet you Carrie.”

“Wait, I’ll walk you back. I need to talk to you alone.” John said rounding the desk. He ushered Tammy out of the door.

Tammy’s heart raced, this was the closest they’d been in weeks. “She seems like a very nice lady, John.”

“She is. We were undergrads together.” He said stiffly.

“I know the story. You don’t have to go into it.” Tammy choked.

John pulled her into a vacant boardroom and closed and locked the door. Without thinking, he held her face and kissed her deeply. Tammy returned his affection. His scent overwhelmed her senses until her knees went weak. Their mouths, lips and tongues explored one another’s as if this were their first time. John began unbuttoning Tammy’s blouse. Tammy pulled at John’s crisp shirt. He unhooked her bra, her breast fell free. He stopped.

“I can’t do this. You’re not mine.” John said sliding Tammy’s shirt around her semi nude body, too ashamed to meet her eyes.

“John, I can be yours if you’d give me another chance.”

“You lied to me when you didn’t have to. I gave you an out, you should have taken it. How can I trust you now?” he sat with his face in his hands.

“I’m sorry for not telling you the truth about that night with Jeff. I should have been upfront with you but I was afraid.” She kneeled before him.

 Hearing the tremor in her voice, John took her by the forearm, placing her in the chair in front of him. “Why were you afraid of me? I’ve never done anything to hurt you.”

“I was afraid that telling you the truth would make things worse between us---”

“So lying to me was better?” John’s irritation grew, he stood fixing his shirt. Tammy stood almost frantic at the turn their conversation had taken.

“No, lying to you made things ten times worse than if I’d told you the truth. But John, you still don’t know what happened that night.”

“Save it. I don’t want to know. It no longer matters.” He turned to leave.

“Is that it? Is this the way things are going to be between us? You’re going to forget about me and be with Carrie?”

“This isn’t about Carrie! This is about your inability to be honest. You had your chance to explain. How could you do that to me? And with him of all people.” he opened the door.

“Tell me you don’t have any feelings for me, John.” She blurted, instantly stopping John in step. He couldn’t lie to her or himself. He loved her so much it hurt.
 
He left.