She’s only heard bits and pieces about Theo over the years. I’m not eager to fill in the gaps right now. I know better than to ask her about her dating life here in town. It’s been years but I don’t push her on it. If she wants to update me someday, she will.
We chat for a while and then work silently together. We’ve always had a comfortable way about us. She’s not introverted like me, she’s just soft-spoken. With me, she can talk when she likes, never on the spot. She’s a sweetheart, really. And a damn hard worker.
I’m spent when I crawl into bed at nine thirty and even more tired when I get up for work the next morning.
I haven’t had enough coffee to understand Gloria’s comment when I pass her at the Mellman’s front desk.
Something about my hair?
No.
Something in my cubicle…oh.
Flair.
She said flair.
But what…
“It’s gorgeous,” Ellie says, popping up out of nowhere. “I bet your decorations cost as much as my mortgage! I love it!”
“I…” I take it in as I arrive at my space. “I do too.”
I really do. Instead of drab gray and beige, my cubicle is wallpapered in a rich dark orange with a subtle lighter orange pumpkin damask vine pattern. That’s the only color. Every where else is white or black. White candle stands with black LED candles in various sizes. A decorative black cat giving a side-eye that, weirdly, looks like me. Little black witch hats, a garland of white tassels. The particle board “wood” desk is now covered in white contact paper and even my wireless keyboard for my laptop is new. It was swapped out for a chic all-black keyboard.
It’s the classiest Halloween decor I’ve ever seen.
It’s designer.
Luxurious.
And it’s in my work cubicle.
I sigh when I see the card. Because it says, “Wifey.”
Janelle,
Until I get your remote contract sorted, I thought I’d give your cube some proper “flair.” I described you to the decorator and she said she’d handle it. Did she?
Please send a selfie ASAP.
Ben
Ellie swoons with jealousy as she watches me read the note and I can’t even fault her for it.
It’s a sweet, somewhat grand gesture, which doesn’t impress me. Not anymore. It looks amazing, but billionaire budgets usually produce incredible results. Even overnight. Not surprising.
The crazy part of this that has my mouth fighting a smile and my hands starting to shake is just six words.
I described you to the decorator.
And the decorator freaking nailed it.
So.
How in the world does Benedict Clark already know me so well?!
14
