23 Client Relations
“Listen, Sheldon,” Sylvia said, “I´ve got a problem.” They were at Sylvia´s office, going over plans for the new building. She went to the door and closed it.
“What´s up?” Sheldon asked.
“You remember what I said the day we met? I don´t date clients?”
“Yes. And I was kind of surprised – pleasantly – that you changed your mind. You´re pretty decisive.”
“Yeah. Well, I´ve made another decision. It´s over and I shouldn´t have broken my rule.”
Sheldon was surprised. “What did I do? I assume this is because of something I´ve done; at any rate, it´s not something I saw coming.”
“You screwed someone else. Melanie. I´m sure of it after the way you looked at her Wednesday. You screwed her, didn´t you?” Sylvia stood in front of her desk, Sheldon still in his chair at the work table.
“Since you ask, yes. Did we have any agreement that I shouldn´t?”
“That´s not the point. I don´t fuck guys who screw around. It´s over. Is that clear?”
“Of course, it´s clear. I´m surprised and kind of hurt, though, because we never talked about it. Even more, because I like you and not just because you´re great in bed. But if that´s how you feel...”
“It is. What about Rudy? Does he know?”
Sheldon chuckled. “Know? Of course he knows. He was in back when I was in front.”
Sylvia blushed brilliantly. “Jesus, Sheldon. Spare me the details, will you? I didn´t need that.”
Sheldon stood up, offered his hand to her. When she ignored it, he put it in his pocket. “Sylvia, I´m sorry. I´m sorry if I hurt you or offended you. I´m really sorry you feel this way, and a little surprised. I didn´t understand that you felt as you do, and I didn´t think that you would even suspect what was merely a friendly exchange between Melanie, Rudy and me.”
“You weren´t obvious, I´ll give you that. But that´s the way it is; we´re through.”
“That´s too bad, Sylvia. I´m sorry.
“So am I.”
Sheldon turned to leave, then stopped. “One thing, Sylvia. I want you to keep on working on this project. With me. You´re too good, and we´ve got too much invested in your understanding of what´s going on. Can we do that?”
Sylvia straightened her back even more. “I´m a professional, Sheldon. I can work with anyone. I don´t hate you, you know, I just won´t sleep with you.”