Unintended sparks.

Beth and David worked diligently to prepare and collate all the relevant information on the case, with Beth working on sifting the various documents and briefs by order of priority to the case so that David could get the most relevant information first. David worked on typing up arguments on his laptop and cross referencing the relevant case law. Beth knew that a senior lawyer would have a whole team of interns and clerks working on something like this while they attended a premiere, or a gallery opening, or just went home and fucked their plastic trophy wife. David was being broken in, **** to do the work himself with only her for help. She watched him work and admired his drive.

They ordered Chinese around 5:30. David pulled off his tie and Beth{if Office Attire = 1
} shed her shrug. She couldn't be sure, but she think she caught David staring at her now and then in her revealing sundress. He doesn't have a crush on me... {elseif Office Attire = 2
} let her hair down and unbuttoned the top button of her blouse. The office was air conditioned, but the partners didn't like to waste money, so it was getting warm in the conference room.
{else
} shed her sweater. It was getting too warm in the conference room. {endif
}
"It's not right..." Beth murmured around a bite of sesame chicken. David was typing away, ignoring his short ribs.
"What?" He didn't look over.
"This is a lot of work for one lawyer." Beth ventured, looking at David.
He glanced over, giving her a look that said he agreed, but he just shook his head. "There's a pecking order, Beth. The senior associates... the partners. They've paid their dues. I don't mind busting my ass now, because I'll be where they are one day." He smiled. "Thanks for helping."
"It's no problem." Beth sauntered over to poach his short ribs. David's phone buzzed with a text massage, which he picked up, glanced at, and then dropped back on the table with a grimace. Beth stopped with the food halfway to her mouth. "Is something wrong?"
David looked put upon, and he seemed to notice for the first time that she was eating off his plate. "Nothing... just... Kim doesn't really understand how this works. She's not happy that I have to work late tonight to prep for this. She wanted to have a nice dinner." He took a bite of his food, and smiled at her. "Nicer than this one, anyway."
"Sorry, David. Brian has to work late a lot, too. He's on track for a partnership at the firm."
"Well, you're a lot more understanding than Kim is. We're still 'newlyweds' she says. She's tired of nights alone."
Beth sighed. "I sympathize. There are times when I can't help but resent Brian a little." She said candidly.
"I always try to make it up to her, you know?" He shook his head. "Flowers, wine, a night in a hotel when we can. It just doesn't seem like enough." He took another bite. "Sorry, that's unprofessional. I shouldn't-"
"It's alright, David." She put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm not offended. At least you make an effort. Brian's usually so tired that he {if Shame < 89
} Doesn't even have the energy for {if Shame > 85} a.... um... I mean..." {else} a quic-... um... I mean..." {endif
}she trailed off, her face turning red, and she snatched her hand back as if it was burned. {else}...." she realized what she had been about to say, and cleared her throat instead. "Well... what I mean is, uh..." She pulled her hand back from his shoulder, and felt the heat in her cheeks. {endif
}
"Yes... well..." David cleared his throat. "Back to work, then."
As Beth returned to her chair, she caught sight, out of the corner of her eye, David watching her and shaking his head slightly.
"What?"
"Nothing..." David turned back to his computer screen.
"Didn't look like nothing..."
"It's... it's not appropriate."
"Ok, well now you have to tell me." She was intrigued.
"I just don't understand... how he couldn't have the energy. For a girl as beautiful as... well...I'm just saying... I would find the energy." His face was beet red as he coughed and turned back to his computer. Beth's jaw dropped, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Thanks... that's sweet of you to say that." she mumbled.