How would I act like our relationship was the same after this?
Chapter Eleven
Cadence
“I’ve got that report for you right here.”
I held out a manilla folder to Mrs. Young, the compliance inspector. Biting my lip, I held my breath as she thumbed through the papers, ensuring our employees had filled out all the appropriate information and signatures within the last year.
“Thank you. This one looks good. Next, I’ll need to see each employee’s file.”
I nodded and grabbed the box I had brought into the conference room this morning in preparation.
“These are all the employees that have worked here over the last seven years. Both past employees and current ones.”
“Perfect. Thank you. I’ll be looking through these for the rest of the afternoon. I’ll come and find you if I need anything else.”
“Of course. I’m just around the corner.”
I left the conference room and sucked in a mouthful of air. Our inspector was a friendly middle-aged woman, but that didn’t stop the anxiety crowding my brain while she thumbedthrough the files I’d worked so hard on. If a single number or letter was out of place, it would be my ass hung out to dry. And from the sound of things, the Powell family wouldn’t give me any second chances.
I glanced at my watch. It was just after 1pm and when Elijah usually took lunch.
In the spirit of turning the other cheek, I went to find him and ask if he wanted to grab something to eat with me.
“Hey,” I said as I stood inside the doorframe of his office.
He lifted his head up with a familiar shine in his eye. “Hey. What’s up?”
“Have you gotten lunch yet?”
“No. I probably won’t have time today with the inspector being here.”
“Oh, darn. I haven’t eaten either and hoped you’d want to go together. It’s been so long since we did something like that.”
“What? Get lunch together? Cadence, we live together. We eat together every day.”
“Yeah, but it’s not the same.”
“I don’t understand how there is any difference.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and looked up at the lights on the ceiling. “I just wanted to spend time with you, Elijah.”
“Oh. We do that at home, too, and I have to get this stuff done.”
I pushed my body off the frame. “Fine. See you later.”
He muttered something as I walked away, but I didn’t listen. How didn’t he understand my intentions?
A familiar chill of irritation ran up my spine.
Instead of returning to my desk, I pressed the button for the first floor in the elevator. I needed some fresh air to help calm my newly soured mood.
The company had set up a small haven outside the building where employees could take breaks. They had a pavilioninstalled next to a covered picnic table. The trees surrounding the area were tall and established, granting plenty of shade where the pavilion roof didn’t cover. There was a cooling breeze from the ocean and the smell of salt in the air.
It was one of my favorite places to go during the day and even after work, when I’d wait for Elijah to finish.
The sun warmed my skin as I moved closer, and I reveled in the sensation. It was October now, but still hot.
