Input from Lara

Hunter smiled to himself as Monique left, then turned back to his computer. Only a few moments passed when there was a tap on his door, and he looked up to see Lara, his creative director.

"All of the overheads and posters are complete for the presentation Monday. Do you want to go over them for final touches, or wait for later?"

"No, now is good. Let's see how they look," he said getting up and following her to a meeting room. Posters stood on easels, and a laptop and projector was sat up at the end of the table. Lara, flicked off most of the lights and shut the door, then touched laptop, and slowly screened through the overheads.

Hunter stood close beside her, nodding at the overheads, and watching Lara out of the corner of his eye for any sign of interest in him. He saw none. She was her usual austere, professional self, focused entirely on the task at hand.

When she came to the end of the overheads, Lara flicked the lights back on and walked him through the posters, pointing out some of the small changes and tweaks that had been made.

"Great work Lara. You never fail to impress."

"It's what I do," she replied with confidence, allowing the slightest flicker of a smile. She looked at him directly for a moment, then paused as if carefully selecting her words. He gave her an inquiring glance and then nodded.

"You look like you have something to say?"

"Perhaps. Your personal life is none of my business. And neither is anyone else's. But you and Monique might want to be more discrete."

"I see. You disapprove?"

"Not at all. You're both adults. But I'm not the only person who noticed you had a longer than usual meeting with her this morning. However, I may be the only person who has noticed that she's not alone in suddenly finding you irresistible. Sally had a crush on you from the moment she saw you, but I notice Toni at reception suddenly can't take her eyes off you. There are one or two others as well."

"I get the sense you have a point to make."

"You are an excellent advertising executive. I very much like working here, and working for you. You're imaginative and smart, and aren't afraid of being around other people who are the same way. I would hate to see petty jealousies damage a fine team, or potentially damage your career. Or your marriage," she paused and looked at him. "I've said all I intend to. My due diligence, so to speak. I don't care what you do, but others might."

"Does Sally know about Monique?"

"Know? I couldn't say. Suspects? Possibly. She watched your door for some time, until I sent her out of the office on an errand. She's young and smitten. She could do something foolish. Leo knows, but is just amused. You beat him to Monique, but he's such a player I don't think he's suffering any pangs of jealousy. I should be the one who is jealous of you about Monique," she added with a short, sharp laugh.

Hunter raised an eyebrow, and Lara shrugged. "I made a mild pass some time ago, and she made it clear that while it wasn't out of the question, I would have to work much harder. You seem to have just touched her and she rolled over. If I were the hating type, I might hate you for that," she smiled. "To be honest, I thought you were the loyal family man, at least until today. Devoted to the wife and the house in the suburbs, not tempted by the office cookies. Monique is very tempting though, I'll grant you that."

Hunter leaned against the table and chuckled softly as he listened.

"Thank you for the heads up Lara. And for your concern. You're right about discretion. It would be unfortunate if something like this damaged an excellent team environment. Or anything else."

"It would," she smiled tightly and held out her hand to shake. "Don't expect me to roll on my back and spread my legs because you touch me."

Hunter laughed deeply as he shook her hand, seeing the sparkle of amusement in her eyes.