She hides under his desk

We both froze. She whipped her head toward the door, and her eyes were wide in horror, then looked back at me in a full panic. “Shit.”

“Under,” I whispered, already reaching for her elbow.

She dropped down, crouching fast, as her heavy heels clacked against the floor before she slid under my desk. Her blouse was mostly buttoned, but her bra still wasn’t seated correctly. Her knees knocked against the base of my chair. She pulled them to her chest, crossing her arms over them, breathing fast and silent.

I turned just in time, raking a hand through my hair once more, completely flustered, and trying to flatten it. My fly was up, but my shirt was partially untucked. I pulled at it, pushed the tail further into my pants. Trying to look like I hadn’t just–

Knock knock.

Before I could speak, the door swung open.

“Sorry,” her dad said, pushing the door wider and stepping halfway in, with a folder in hand. “I know your door was closed, but I didn’t see anything on your schedule and I’m in a rush. Hope I’m not interrupting something.”

I gave the most casual smile I could muster, swallowing against the dryness in my throat. “No, no, just catching up on some notes.”

Her father glanced around the room, his eyes moving quickly as he looked from the monitor, to the chairs, and around the office in general. A second passed.

“You alone?”

I gave a single nod, heart thudding. “Yeah. Just me.”

Mr. Delaney lingered in the doorway, glancing into the office. “I saw Amelia had an appointment with you a bit ago. Did she already leave?”

I shook my head. “Yeah, she left a bit ago.”

“Everything okay?” Mr. Delaney asked, with a trace of parental concern in his voice.

“Yeah,” I replied, trying to sound relaxed. “She just stopped by to check in about her college list. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

Mr. Delaney seemed to accept that. Then he stepped fully into the room and held up a folder.

“Alright, well, really quick. I need your signature on a release for tomorrow’s panel. I forgot to get it to you earlier.”

“Of course,” I said quickly, stepping out from behind the desk, being conscious to not glance down, or to move the chair too much.

“Sorry, I meant to follow up on this earlier,” I said, as I stepped forward to meet my boss halfway, taking the folder with what I hoped looked like steady hands.

“No problem,” Mr. Delaney replied, still scanning the room with a faint crease in his brow. “I didn’t want to assume you were free, but I figured I’d catch you between appointments. Your door being closed, kinda threw me off though.”

“Yeah, no– Just, uh… just trying to wrap up a couple of items, so I just needed a moment undisturbed, but I’m pretty much done,” I muttered, flipping open the folder to the marked tab. I pulled the pen from the holder on my desk and signed the page quickly, but trying to not look rushed at the same time. Trying to not look guilty, or to sweat.

I closed it just as fast and handed it back.

“Appreciate it,” Mr. Deleaney said, tucking the folder under his arm. He glanced past my shoulder again. “You sure you’re not waiting on anyone?”

I gave a dry chuckle. “Nope. Just finishing up in here.”

He nodded, apparently satisfied. “Alright then. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Bright and early,” I replied.

He lingered a second longer, then finally turned and stepped out into the hall.

“Have a good night,” he waved as he walked out, pulling the door mostly shut behind him.

The second he was out of sight, I exhaled and let my hands fall to my knees, as I braced myself in relief.

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