“Where’s your bag?”
“My bag?” I ask, confused. “Oh, right. My bag. I’m always forgetting that thing.” I see my out and I’m relieved. “Gotta go back. Guess I’ll catch you later.” I might be a bit too enthusiastic.
“I’ll go with you. I don’t want you walking through the garage alone.”
I roll my eyes at him and his damn manners. “Finn, please. I’m a big girl. I’ve walked out alone many a night and I’ve been just fine. I’ve worked here for four years and haven’t died without you yet.”
He smirks. “Yet.”
Reaching out to stop the door from closing and stepping inside, I nod toward him. “Goodnight.”
He shrugs. “Goodnight, Lizbeth.”
I fake smile, needing him to hurry up and go away.
He stares at me with scrutiny as the doors close. I wave happily, glad to be off the hook and rid of him.
I press three one more time before placing my hand over my hollow stomach. Soup would be amazing.
Making my way to the cafeteria, I see a couple of restaurant workers heading toward the elevators. I speed up in hopes of getting something before they all leave. Locked doors greet me. I pound on them a few times while checking the time on my phone. No one answers. Leaning my head on the doors, I sigh in frustration. “I’m really having a fucking awesome week. Aren’t I?” I say to no one. I almost laugh to stop myself from crying. Instead of doing either, I check my purse for cash for the vending machine on my floor.
I manage to scrape together a dollar fifty. That should be enough for some chips or something. Exiting on my floor, I take a leisurely stroll to the machine by the break room. I push the button for cookies and watch my dinner slowly descend. Opening the package, I make my way through the empty office. Stuffing a cookie into my mouth, I round the corner to my cubicle, humming “Work” by Rihanna.
I stop suddenly when I see Finn spinning in my chair with his arms crossed.
“Did you get lost?” he questions with narrowed eyes.
“What the fuck?” I whisper while chewing, startled.
He points toward my cookies. “Snack?”
I swallow. “Yeah, I was hungry so I got something for the ride home.”
“Good thinking.” He stands and pushes my chair against my desk. “Grab your sweater and bag, and I’ll walk you to your car.”
“I told you I’m perfectly capable of walking by myself.”
“Yeah, I heard you both times you said it.”
I cross my arms. “You’re being ridiculous. Please go.”
“I’ll go when you do,” he says, crossing his arms and mimicking my movement.
“Dammit, Finn. Don’t you get it? I don’t want you to walk me to my car.”
“Why is that?” he asks, widening his stance.
“Because I don’t want to be around you. You’re annoying.”
He places his hands behind his back and purses his lips. “Is that all you’ve got?”
Grasping my hair in my hand, I pull it tightly around my fingers before letting it fall. I need to figure out how to get rid of him. “Listen, the truth is I’m really behind on my work. I have a project due in the morning and I decided it would be best if I stuck around for a bit. I know you’re trying to be kind, but I promise I’ll be fine. I’ll even call security to walk me out, okay?”
He studies me for a moment. “You’re a horrible liar.”
“Excuse me?”
“Where’s your car, Liz? And don’t lie to me this time.”
