"Then how about tonight?" Mark asked.

Gina didn't know whether to say yes or no. If she said no, she'd feel ridiculous. If she said yes, would she again be confronted with the same emotions?

"Sure," she finally said, leaning back. "I let the girls go for the day, by the way," she added. "I hope you don't mind."

"Baby, you can do anything you want around here," Mark laughed. "You just fucking name it!"

How about hiring a construction worker to service me in my office? she thought.

"Christ, I must be going insane," she said aloud, although not loud enough for Mark to make out the words.

"What'd you say?" he asked.

"I said, I'd see you tonight," she answered, then quickly got up, smoothing her skirt.

"Hey, you don't have to stop now, do you?" Mark asked. "I think I could go another round or two if you could."

"No," Gina said. "I… I think I'll take the rest of the day off and… and get my hair fixed or something. You mind?"

Before he could answer, she was out of the office. She gathered up her things, knowing full well where she was going.

She was going to go past that construction site once more today and get another look at that man.

With her heart thundering in her chest, she walked out of the building and toward Cooper Street.

When she rounded the corner, she walked down the sidewalk looking out of the corner of her eye. She heard a loud, lewd whistle, and then a man's voice.

"Hey, Tony!" the voice said. "Here comes the frost queen. I think she's in love with you!"

For some reason, Gina felt a wave of fury, yet it was directed to herself. Here she was, playing games, and at her age! It was like something kids in junior high would do – go out of your way to see someone, then ignore them grandly.

"Welcome back," she heard Tony say.

Gina bolted like a rabbit, afraid to look back. She heard the men laughing, and felt tears stinging her cheeks.