June always enjoyed Friday afternoons, her usual routine. Finish up at work as early as was possible, tidy her hair up in the ladies and smarten her clothes. Drive down to the supermarket and do her weekly shop, along with the hundreds of other workers. It was a mundane task that everyone had to do every now and then but there was something about being in the company of all those people in similar positions that was comforting to her. Over spending on food she didn�t need, a nice cream cake and a bottle of wine as a treat and her usual catch-up on celebrity gossip magazine. Mindless, no intelligent thinking required. Just lying back on the sofa and relaxing. Pure bliss. She slipped her watch round on her wrist and noted the time � 6.30 already. Dropped a few folders into her desk drawer and locked it. Reached for her jacket and got up ready to leave. Jim almost bounded into the office, a smile on his face as he brushed past her. She turned to watch him settle back in his chair and stretch his legs out. �What are you so happy about?�
�Plans for the weekend.�
�Oh?� She queried sitting back on the corner of her desk, aware of the fact her skirt rose a few good inches as she did so � and even more aware of the fact that Jim saw it too.
�Yep, been invited to my Cousins wedding haven�t I � didn�t even know he was engaged. Funny how quickly these things are set up.�
�And you�re going?�
�Of course � wouldn�t miss it.� He leant forward resting his elbows on his knees. �In fact I was hoping�� He stopped as Brandon came through the door. June placed her bag onto her knees and Jim smiled and looked at the floor. �You were hoping what?� She responded trying to sound normal.
�That it stays fine for the wedding.� He smiled getting up and putting his jacket on.
�Someone getting married?� Brandon asked.
�My cousin this weekend, have to drive down to the country for it.�
�Tonight?� June snapped suddenly interested again.
�Yeah, don�t worry I�ll be back bright and early Monday morning Sarge.� He grinned as he waltzed past her.
She said goodnight to Brandon and made her way down to her car, as she got closer she could make out a figure leaning on her bonnet. It was damn scary in there when it was dark. She got her bag up ready to protect herself then realised it was Jim. �You know I could report you for stalking.� She smiled as she unlocked the door.
�Couldn�t leave like that. I was going to ask you to come along with me?�
�And you really think the car park at work is better than the office to ask me?� She complained.
�Don�t be so paranoid, come on, it might be fun. Besides we didn�t have plans.�
She sighed and got into the car. �Are you getting in?�
He opened the door and bent down. �So I get lifts now.�
�It would nasty to leave you standing there.�
He climbed in next to her. �So, what do you think?�
She chewed her lip as she drove them out of the car park, past Brandon just exiting the building, he waved and Jim waved back and she grimaced. �Oh I don�t know Jim, I�d feel strange. They�re your family not mine � they don�t even know me. I�d be imposing.�
�No you wouldn�t � you�re my partner, I want you there.� He watched as she stopped at the lights. �You don�t want them to know you�re with me right � that�s the real problem.�
She slapped her hands down on the wheel. �Don�t be so melodramatic. We keep having this discussion, day after day I don�t want people to know yet � is that such a crime? I want it to stay between us, until we�re comfortable enough to tell everyone.�
�I�m comfortable now.�
�But I�m not, Jim you can�t push me.�
�The lights have changed.� He noted staring ahead.
She put the car into gear and drove off again. �I don�t know where I�m going.� She whispered.
�What do you mean?�
�Home to pack or to the supermarket to shop.�
�Come home and pack.� He wasn�t pleading just stating it as neutrally as he could. �What will I wear�� She looked over at him and smiled, those wonderful eyes lighting up and he laughed, relieved.
