“Who’s hot??”

I admit to being guilty of eavesdropping. 

The crime occurred while passing the intimate conference room on the way to the other end of the building. 

If people didn’t shut doors like they were supposed to, they shouldn’t expect any privacy. 

It’s not my fault the carpeting muffled anyone’s approach. 

My first defense to the offense committed.

The giggling I heard while making my way to reach the Publishing team in Marketing for a required banner mock-up thwarted my determined step. 

Catching a few key phrases, my lips turned upward in amusement.

There was reference to the demonstration given by a consultant we’d engaged for an application we would be using for our turnkey product releasing in the fall. 

A subsequent reference to another, more personal demonstration that would have been preferred by one of them followed. 

Hence the giggles that brought me to a stop in the first place.

I then interrupted the semi-private – since I’d overheard – conversation between Sue and Alice with my query.  It was okay though; we were friends first before colleagues. 

These two were part of my after work circle and were regarded with affection.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. 

My second defense to the offense committed. 

“Who’s hot?? Who did you say it was?” I adamantly asked again.

Sue was squirming on the sidelines.

An amused Alice gave in to my curiosity, although they didn’t realize I already knew whom they were talking about. 

“Do you remember the consulting team we brought in for the sales campaign analysis?”

Of course I played along as the clueless finance director I was pretending to be. 

“Yeah, what about the team?” my tone somewhat disinterested. 

I had to at least maintain some semblance of focus in wanting to pursue work today given my managerial role.

“Well,” Alice unfazed continued, “our Sue here seems to be quite taken by the statistician.  You know, the nerdy one.”

“Alice!” Sue pleaded for her to stop. Clearly embarrassed and mortified yet interestingly not enough to contest the assertion.

Purposely being obtuse, I rankled them further.  “Oh! The short one from Australia.” 

Unable to restrain herself, Sue interjected “NooooCream blouse.  Navy suit.  Warm eyes?  Fantastic figure!”