An invitation to a benefit dinner landed on his desk one morning. He hated going to these things, but he knew his presence was necessary. He was given a plus one, and for the first time in a while, he’d have someone to bring. It was about two weeks away, so there was plenty of time to get it on Cora’s calendar, but he needed to ask her now, just in case she had a big assignment due around the same time. He makes his way out of his office, and down to hers. She was typing away at her computer, in the middle of biting into an apple when he knocks on her doorframe.

“Come in – oh!” She nearly chokes on her apple. “Mr. Styles, hi!”

“I hope I’m not interrupting.” He leans against her doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Not at all, Sir. Please, come in.” She gestures towards one of the chairs across from her desk.

“I don’t need to sit, I’ll be brief.” He walks around over to her, and leans his bum on her desk. “Here.” He hands her the invitation.

“What’s this?”

“I’ve been invited to a benefit dinner in a couple of weeks, and I’d like you to come with me…if you’re free. Could be a good networking opportunity for you. At least, that’s what you can tell the others if they ask why you’re coming with me.” He smirks.

“Oh, so it won’t be a good networking opportunity?” She smirks back.

“No, it will be.” He shrugs. “Just don’t stray too far from me, can’t risk losing you to another company.”

She knew exactly what he meant by that, and it causes her to pout at him.

“You don’t have anything to worry about there. I’m very happy with this company.”

“Good, so, do you think that evening will work for you?”

“It’s a Saturday, so yeah. You know my Saturdays are reserved for…business.”

“But sometimes you might have other things to do. I didn’t want to assume.”

“Well, that’s very considerate of you.” She smiles up at him. Carrie happens to walk by Cora’s office, and notices how casually Harry is sitting with her. “I’ll put it on my calendar. Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Styles, it seems like a wonderful opportunity for me.”

“I agree, you were the first person I thought of when I read I could bring a plus one.”

“I’m honored.”

“Well, I’ll leave you to it.” He says, standing up. “Keep up the good work, Miss Durham.”

“I will, thank you, Mr. Styles.”

Carrie goes into Meredith’s office, and closes the door behind her.

“Girl, do I have some gossip for you.” Carrie says in a hushed tone.

“Lay it on me, I could use the distraction.” Meredith says.

“Well, I just saw the most peculiar thing. Mr. Styles was in Cora’s office, sitting on the edge of her desk. They were smiling at each other in a more than friendly manor, or so it seemed.”

“You know Harry, he’s a friendly guy. He wasn’t making her uncomfortable, was he?”

“No! She looked more than happy to have him sitting on her desk. You don’t think…”

“Harry, getting involved with an employee?” Meredith scoffs. “No way, and besides that, Cora’s nearly ten years younger than him, what could they possibly have in common?”

“Beats me.” Carrie shrugs. “It’s not like he had his hand on her knee or anything, I just wonder why he came all the way to her office.”

“True, usually if he needs something he calls us to hisoffice.” Meredith furrows her brows. “I say we go ask her.”

“Just out of the blue?”

“Sure.” Meredith nods, and goes to open her office door. Carrie follows her to Cora’s office. “Cora, got a minute?”

“Yeah, come on in.” She smiles at the two of them and stands up. “Everything okay?”

“Mhm, I was just wondering what Mr. Styles wanted.” Meredith says directly.

“Oh! He just asked if I wanted to accompany him to a benefit dinner he’s been invited to in a couple of weeks. He said it could be a good networking opportunity for me. Plus, I think he feels bad that he hasn’t really gotten to know me since I started here. He seems to know you all pretty well, I mean, he knows your son’s name, Carrie.”

“Yeah, he does.” Carrie says. “Mr. Styles is a great supervisor, very caring.” She looks at Meredith, then back to Cora. “He knows my son because I’ve had to bring him to a couple of holiday parties over the years. In all the time I’ve been here, though, he’s never invited me to one of the high-end events he’s been invited to.”

“Neither have I.” Meredith says.

“Like I said, he told me it would be a good networking opportunity me.” Cora shrugs. “Nothing really more to it than that. If one of you would prefer to go, I’m sure I could vouch for you, and-“

“No, no that’s alright.” Meredith says. “I think it’s great that he wants to bring you along, show you the ropes. I can’t wait to hear all about the different people that you’re going to meet.”

“Me too, sounds exciting.” Carrie says before they both leave Cora’s office.

Cora narrows her eyes as she watches them leave, then sits back down at her desk. She hasn’t had a problem with Meredith or Carrie yet, and she wanted to keep it that way.