“In your dreams, Wilder,” she says, shoving hard against my chest.I step back, and she ducks around me, heading for the door.
“This isn’t over,” I call after her, my heart pounding.
She pauses at the door, looking back over her shoulder with a sneer.“I’m counting on it,baldy.”
Then she’s gone, leaving me standing alone on the roof with my pulse racing and the absolute certainty that Eve Lopez is going to drive me completely insane.
Ipull into the parking garage Monday morning with my coffee still steaming in the cup holder, humming along to the radio.The Serastra campaign timeline is finally coming together.All the craftsmen confirmed, venue locked in, even the catering sorted.Everything’s going according to plan for once.
That good mood lasts exactly until I turn the corner toward my parking spot and see a familiar black sedan sitting exactly where my car should be.
Caleb’s car.In my spot.
“Are you kidding me?”I mutter, staring at his sleek vehicle like it personally offended me.This isn’t just any parking spot—it’s the prime real estate of the garage, close to the elevator and protected from the elements.I slipped Jerry the security guard fifty bucks two years ago to let me park here instead of my assigned spot at the far end of the garage, and I’ve been paying him twenty dollars every month since to keep it.It’s been my spot ever since.
My spot.That bastard!
I have to drive all the way to the opposite end of the garage to my original assigned spot, my good mood evaporating with every step of the long walk to the elevator.So much for Caleb’s recent two-week streak of professional behavior.I should have known it was too good to last.
By the time I reach the seventh floor, I’m seething.Caleb’s already at his desk, typing away like he hasn’t just committed an act of parking warfare.He doesn’t even look up when I storm through the office doors.
“Really?”I drop my bag on my desk with enough force to rattle my monitor.“My parking spot?”
He glances up with feigned innocence, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief.“Your parking spot?I didn’t see your name on it.”
“That’s been my spot since I started working here.”
“Huh.”He leans back in his chair, that infuriating smirk playing at his lips.“Weird.I parked there, and no one said anything.Maybe it’s first come, first served?”
“I’m never late,” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Weren’t you late today?”He tilts his head.“Because I got here at seven-thirty, and the spot was empty.”
“I wasn’t late.I’m always here at the same time.”
“Which is apparently not early enough.”He smiles insincerely.“Maybe you should adjust your schedule if you want to keep your unofficial parking privileges.”
The casual way he says it makes my blood pressure spike.“You’re being petty and childish.”
“I’m being practical.Good parking spots go to people who show up first.”He turns back to his computer screen.“Basic capitalism, Princess.”
“Don’t call me that.”I sink into my chair, ready to continue this argument, but something’s wrong.The chair drops way too low, and when I try to adjust the height, the lever won’t budge.I’m stuck with my chin practically touching my desk, like a child sitting at the adult table.
“What the hell?”I grab the lever and yank it repeatedly, but nothing happens.The chair is frozen in its lowest position.Caleb doesn’t even glance over, but I can see the slight curve of his lips as he continues typing.
“Having trouble with your chair?”he asks.
“You did something to this.”I keep fighting with the lever, but it’s completely stuck.“I know you did.”
“That’s a serious accusation.”He finally turns to look at me, his expression perfectly innocent.“You’re suggesting I sabotaged office furniture?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m suggesting.”
“Prove it.”The challenge in his voice makes my fingers clench around the useless lever.He’s sitting there in his fully functioning chair, looking smug and untouchable, while I’m trapped at desk height like some kind of office troll.
“You know what?”I shoot to my feet, decision made.“Fine.”
I march over to his chair and grab the back of it.“Get up.”
