I’m sitting in a nice restaurant for lunch with my current set of co-workers, about four other people. We’ve been waiting a while for our food, and the boss is asking for a second bowl of $12 spinach artichoke dip. In my mind, I’m calculating how much more my tab is going up with this second appetizer. There might be a pained look on my face.

Then the food comes out. My $13 salad (which is not a cop-out here, because their salads are divine) makes me so happy inside, I unconsciously start humming a song of my own invention under my breath. The conversation at our table pauses long enough while I’m pouring on dressing and HUMMING that the CEO turns to me and says, “Heather, are you singing?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t even know I was doing it!” This is 100% truth and I’m pretty mortified.

He goes on in his British accent, “Are you singing a little song? Do you think you can sing?”

Me: Fake smile. Fake laugh. (Can this be over already?)

The rest of the lunch is me, trying to focus on not humming and catching myself starting up at least two other times with one note that either no one hears or chooses not to notice.

Then the CEO puts the meal on the company card.