32
Tiff
The office chair had become increasingly uncomfortable as Sam and I poured over more “research” (or what I referred to as Sam’s complete inability to be chill, which he did not find as funny as I did).
“What’s this?”I asked, picking through the pile of papers on the desk to find an agreement for an ongoing donation and sponsorship of a local children’s literacy program.A very generous sponsorship, from the looks of it.Fuck, he really was a saint.
“That?It’s …” He plucked the paper out of my hands, holding it close as the tips of his ears tinged pink.“Nothing.I don’t even know how this got in here.”He stuffed it under his laptop, avoiding my eyes.
I continued to watch him squirm for a moment until he cleared his throat and pointedly gestured towards the pile of articles on his desk that I’d promised to help him read.Picking one up at random, I sank back into the chair, a warm smile clinging to my lips.
Sam looked up as I stretched again, trying to ease the ache in my back.“Coffee?”
“Please.”I smiled when he didn’t immediately move.No doubt he’d get lost in what he was reading and completely forget.Again.No matter.Once I’d finished this article, I’d go and make one for both of us.
Unfortunately, finishing it was proving difficult.“Ugh, this article is complete BS.Millennials don’t want a neighborhood bar?What kind of uninformed ass wrote this?”
“I hardly think the city’s longest-serving paper would employ someone that meets that criteria.”
“Oh, really?”
He adjusted his glasses before rolling his shoulder; for the third time in the last hour.I was tempted to massage it but wasn’t sure he’d agree (according to Sam, we needed to maintain professional distance or something).As a consolation, I admired how handsome the thick frames made him.Very sexy professor.I dug it big time.
“Regardless, it’s worth knowing if this is the pervasive perception, even if it isn’t true.”That would explain the notes Sam had made in the margins.Which.Was fucking adorable.Not that I was going to tell him that.
“Which this isn’t.Jesus, they realize that the problem with these places that have shut down isn’t the location, right?Firstly, ‘millennials’ isn’t the term they should be using.It completely excludes people born after ’96.Secondly, have they seen these places?They’re stuffy and utterly rude to anyone under the age of forty-five.Of course crowds are avoiding them!”
I threw the article onto the desk.“Ugh.This is exhausting.Why did I agree to help you do this again?”
“Frankly, I have no idea.”Amusement curled around his words, his eyes never leaving his laptop screen.I watched, transfixed as his eyes darted over some text, seeing in real time the way his eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed in response to whatever he was reading.“Dammit,” he whispered.
“What?”He rarely swore aloud, so I could only take this as extremely serious.
One hand scrubbed the rough shadow on his chin as he continued to read.When he was done, he shook his head, disappointed.“The contractor has informed me they are unable to start construction on the back wall for another month.Which will delay the re-opening.”
“Fuck.Did they say why?”
“No, but I’m going to find out.”He was already dialing the number.
If he wanted me to clear out, he didn’t make any gesture to do so, and I was far too curious not to want to hear, so I leaned back in the chair, crossed my arms, and waited.
Polite as always, I could still hear the terseness in Sam’s voice and see the downturn of his mouth.Whatever they were telling him was not good.
“Well, I’m disappointed to hear that.Please have him call me so that we can work this out,” he said before hanging up.
“What’s the verdict?”
“He confirmed the delay.Said another job has taken precedence.”
“That’s ridiculous.Weren’t they set to start next week?For them to bump you, someone must be paying them a lot of money.”
There was a pause while Sam massaged his temples, and oh.I realized, belatedly, there could be only one person with enough contacts to persuade a delay like this.
Someone I’d just so happened to tell to go fuck themselves recently.
God.Motherfucking.Dammit.
Anger and guilt had already formed a substantial lump of coal in my gut when Sam confirmed it.“It appears Pierce is quite close to the construction manager.He spun some story about there being a scheduling conflict, but it’s obviously a lie.”
