Chapter 31 : The Best Friend

Simone I was sitting at my desk sifting through new listings when a voice said, "Excuse me, are you Simone?" I looked up to see a tall, attractive black man standing in front of me. He was looking at me with a shit-eating grin that I couldn't quite decipher. "Well, damn, I see why Michael is so obsessed with you," he said. I immediately blushed, hoping none of my co-workers were listening. I looked around, and thankfully they were all busy. A couple girls looked the man up and down appreciatively, but otherwise ignored us. "I'm sorry, who are you?" I asked lamely, feeling called out. "Oh, shit, I'm sorry, I'm being rude as hell." He sat down at the chair in front of me and held out his hand. "The name is Alfred. I'm Michael Higtower's best, and only, friend." I laughed at this, and immediately felt at ease. "Simone Carter," I answered, giving him my firmest handshake, though his hand swallowed mine up. "Oh," he smiled. "I know! You've got my boy in a tailspin. I'v