The Administrative Assistant

[Author's note: Thank you for putting up with the slow build. I wanted to craft a beginning scenario and to get some input from readers. From this point on, it will pick up and introduce some new potential interests while expanding on those that are already in the story. I will ask for people's input as I want to make this story arc vibrant and fun. Please send messages and help me craft the tale of Arron/Erin Andrews!]

Arron checked his reflection in the mirror again. It had been a busy past two days since he had received the call and offer from the department at the university and he had accepted the position. In the span of time since, Tom had gone on face-time to review the clothes that they had and helped them put together a few days worth, just enough to get him through the process of getting set up and situated in the position, before he would then be comfortable enough to work on building his own sense of style (something that Sarah wondered if it would ever be done but didn't broach.) They had also, rather unwise if he thought about it closely, gone out and splurged a little bit on finishing the project, as Tom called it, by hitting up ULTA and getting a set of makeup and perfume for him.

Sarah had laughed a little at his state of discomfort but Arron knew that he couldn't just appear without any, it was just not the space or environment where au natural would be possible on a daily basis, especially since he was working in an administrative capacity. They had walked out with over $300 worth of makeup products, facial products, hair products, and various other tools and tips for him to work on.

They had followed that with a stop at Neimann Marcus where she dragged him to the shoe section and, despite his protests that they couldn't really afford it, had him try on several different types of shoes. The sales lady complimented him on his feet as it was, apparently, the size where they had the most selection and choices for him. In the end, with four types of heels ranging from 1 to 4 inches, it set them back a cool $800.

"$1,100..." he muttered to himself but Sarah merely waved her hand at it and then proceeded to take him to yet several more stores, including a Bed Bath and Beyond (for hairdryer, light up magnifying make up mirror), Bath and Body (body lotion and shower gel, so he could stop using hers), and then hitting up a Victoria's Secret. Arron almost balked at that but Sarah, playing the "let's get this over with" look, simply grabbed his arm and pulled him into the store. With his willpower all but crushed, he had quickly taken the list of sizes and with the salesgirl's amused and entertained assistance, managed to pick out three decently tasteful bras and panties to boot. In and out, 10 minutes tops.

He still felt more than a bit clownish but Sarah had given him the thumbs up and he had somehow mustered up the courage to step out of the house and walk to the car, pausing for a moment to wave to Hannah who smiled and gave him a thumbs up, before he slid behind the wheel and reversed down the driveway. Another 30 minutes found himself at the front to the employee parking lot where he drove up and down a few rows until he found the spot listed on his welcome email as his assigned parking space. It wasn't far from the walkways and the pathway was well lit with lights evenly spaced (a welcome thing for women, he supposed, until he realized that it now applied to him as well.)

Getting out of the car, he spotted another car pulling in to the spot next to him and he stepped back onto the curb and watched as a familiar face lit up upon seeing him. "Aah, Erin, was it?"

He nodded. "You're Derek, I remember you."

The man laughed a bit as he closed the door behind him and made a show at his otherwise empty hands. "No coffee this morning!"

"Alas, I was thinking I would be able to skip work today," he retorted with a laugh, flashing his white teeth in a broad smile. Derek laughed along with him and then motioned for them to walk together. "Your spot's here?"

"I got bumped up last week, my spot used to be on the other side of the lot by the entrance. Great when you come in, hell when you try to get out."

The two of them talked about general things as they approached the front and he reached for the door handle only to have Derek grab it first and held it open for him. "Here, allow me. One courtesy per day is my limit, you just got me at a good time."

Arron played along. "Thank you, oh fair knight."

With that, he turned and bade farewell to the younger man before he looked at the sign on the side of the wall and followed the arrow down to the administration area. Each step made him conscious of two things: the click-clack of his heels on the polished wooden surface and the weight and shifting of various parts of his body. He wondered if women felt this at all times but then surmised that they must've, they just got over noticing it. Lucky them...