An Unexpected Applicant

Karla recognized Pepper the second she walked in, that heart-shaped face stirring up something she'd rather forget. Pepper smiled like they were meeting for the first time. Karla's questions started simple then got dirty quick, laced with little barbs Pepper didn't catch. "So, how long do you usually stay in one place?" Karla asked, her eyebrow cocked. "Have you ever left someone hanging without explanation?" Pepper stumbled through her answers, getting more confused with each thinly-veiled jab. Finally Pepper cut through the bullshit. "What's this really about?" Karla leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "We fucked for three weeks through that dating app. Then you vanished without a word." Pepper's face went pale. The memory hit her—endless sexts, Karla begging to meet up again, Pepper chickening out and blocking her number. "Oh shit. I... I'm sorry. I got scared." Pepper leaned forward, voice dropping low. "Look, I'm really sorry about disappearing. That was shitty of me." She stood up and walked around the desk, close enough that Karla could smell her perfume. "How about I make it up to you right here?" Her hand traced the armrest of Karla's chair. "I know you remember how good my mouth felt." She smiled, cocky and unapologetic. "Let me show you again."