Chapter 1: The Announcement

She'd been looking forward to this all day. Okay, she knew she was a bit strange. Who, in their right mind, would look forward to working a night job after working all day? She had only been working this part-time job for a couple of months but she could feel herself getting attached to some of her co-workers. What a difference from her full-time job. She had been working for the city as a pc technician for almost three years and still felt like an outsider on her team. All that would soon change; she hoped for the better.

"So," boomed a voice behind her as she headed for the time clock, "how did it go today?"

As she turned to answer, she was momentarily caught off-guard by his proximity. She couldn't help noticing his manly scent, or the heat that seemed to come from his well-toned body. She had to stop herself from trying to reach out and caress his muscled chest.

"Well," she began, catching her breath, "she accepted my resignation; almost too calmly. It'll be interesting to see how the next two weeks play out."

"Well, good luck," he called out as he headed to his office and she toward the call center to start their shifts.

Trisha Langtry felt that she had more strikes against her than for her. She was short, only reaching five feet in height; she was a single mother trying to raise her boys with very little help from her ex-husband; and she was older. Even though she was shorter than most adults, she felt she was able to hide her forty-something age pretty well. She was lucky getting the one job at her age, but felt like her luck was changing when she first landed this part-time job and then got offered a replacement for her full-time work.

She started working in the call center of Ace Alarm Company out of necessity. Even though she was already working full-time, she took on this part-time job while her kids were at their dad's every other weekend so she could have some extra cash. It wasn't easy bringing up her boys as a single mother in today's economy. Her additional child support didn't even seem like it was enough these days. Plus, now, she had something to do instead of just sitting around her quiet house while her kids were gone, and she brought in some extra cash as well.

Third shift went smoothly, all things considered, and soon it was time for the lunch break. Trisha never brought anything for lunch; she didn't like to eat in the middle of the night. However, she did enjoy listening to the banter of the other operators. As usual, she took her break with Marsha and Janice. Even though the two ladies worked full-time together, they were quick to include Trisha in the latest gossip.

"I heard he asked for the transfer," began Marsha as soon as the three ladies sat down.

"Why would he do that? He's worked third shift for over five years now, ever since he left his wife," included Janice.

"Who are you talking about?" asked Trisha, eager to be part of the conversation.

"Why, Mark Babcock," continued Marsha. "I got word from a friend that he'll be taking over as first-shift supervisor of the call center in two weeks."

"Maybe he finally found someone; you know, 'the' woman," offered Janice in a way of explanation. "He's been so serious since his marriage broke up. Hopefully he finally found someone to add more energy to his life."

Mark Babcock was one of the most eligible, and desirable, bachelors in the company. If the well-toned six foot three inch frame didn't entice the women, it was the thick head of hair and movie star looks. He had always been very nice toward Trisha; he even tried to offer advice to the problems she was having with her full-time job. She remembered the stories she was told soon after starting work on third shift. Marsha and Janice had told her that it was rumored that Mark first took the third-shift position soon after he caught his wife cheating on him. They said that he was very angry when he first started working the shift, but had, definitely, softened since then. Trisha wondered if Mark had found someone else; he was good-looking enough. She knew that it would help fill the lonely nights. She, herself, had been divorced for four years and had yet to go out on a date. She found herself a bit envious of Mark, and whomever he had found.

Soon enough it was time to go back to work. Right before the end of the shift, Mark entered the call center.

"Can I have everyone's attention, please?" he began. "I know some of you have heard rumors that I have put in for a transfer," he continued, as he looked over at Marsha. Marsha just blushed. "Well, I just want to say that, for once, the rumors are partly true. While I've enjoyed working with each of you, I have been offered the Call Center Manager position upon Jonathan's retirement in two weeks. That means I will need to start working on first shift again. After much thought, I've decided to take it."

Mark finished his announcement and looked directly at Trisha. For some unknown reason, she felt a shiver run down her spine. She quickly looked away as the other operators offered their congratulations and well-wishes.

"What do you say we all head to Jake's for breakfast — on me!" Mark called out as the third-shift operators started to log out of their stations. He heard a resounding cheer of agreement, from everyone but Trisha.

"Hey, coming to Jake's? My treat," Mark asked, as he cornered Trisha outside by her car.

"I don't know. I've got stuff to do at home while my kids are at their dad's," she stalled. Trisha wanted to go, but was afraid that she would seem too eager. In the back of her mind, she knew that she had fantasized about Mark just as the other women had. But, now with Mark's announcement that he was leaving the shift, Trisha felt betrayed somehow.

"What has to get done at 7:30 on a Saturday morning? C'mon, what do you say?" Mark didn't want to take no for an answer; he wanted her there. As he noticed her still not entirely agreeing, he added, "It'll be fun; besides, you owe me."

Trisha's eyes shot up to meet Mark's. "Owe you? For what?"

"For getting you the job." Mark smirked, crossing his arms and puffing out his chest for effect. He knew he had her cornered. He didn't know why, but he enjoyed it when she got riled up. Maybe it was the challenge of getting her calmed down that he really enjoyed. He also liked the idea that Trisha, at five feet, would even attempt to stare down someone standing over six feet tall.