No. “Uh, sure.”
“Attend the partywithme. If we both go, Ican appease your boss, andyoucan meet my parents, which will pacify my mother. Two birds, one stone, as they say.”
“Then we’ll be even-steven?”
“Sure. Even-steven.”
“All right.”
“Great.” Hudson pulls the door open. “Let me see that invitation.”
Leading him back to my office, I pull open the bottom drawer of my desk where I stow my purse. Reaching in, I grasp the fancy embossed card out of the front pocket and hand it to him. As he reads it, I fiddle with the bottom edge of my old dress-now-tunic and feel the hole I forgot to mend the last time I wore it. Of course, there’s a hole.
“What’s going on here?”
My head jerks up in time to see Spencer cross his arms over his chest. “Spencer.”
“Willamina? What is the meaning of this?”
“Meaning?”
“This is unacceptable.” He scoffs. “Inviting strangers into our office. I’m afraid I’ll have to add this to your personnel file.”
“My personnel file?” I practically sputter.He’s writing me up?This is surreal. Other people have visitors all the damn time. Michelle brings her daughter here occasionally for mother-daughter day. Bonnie does the same. Hell, Spencer’s mother comes to lunch once a week. They eat in his office.
It’s completely unfair.
“We’ve got sensitive information here. This is completely inappropriate and unprofessional.”
“You’re kidding, right, Spencer?” It’s Hudson who speaks.
“No. I don’tkidabout company security.”
“First of all, Willa didn’t know I was coming. I surprised her.”
“She should have met you downstairs.”
“Actually,Spencer, security called Mac to approve my visit. I was able to come right up.”
“Well.” Spencer’s face changes from his ordinary ruddy complexion to pure white. “That’s highly suspect.”
“If you’d like, I’ll give Mac a call and see if Willa should be punished for my visit.”
“That’s not necessary.” He’s gone before I can respond.
“Is he always a prick to you?”
I’m a bit flummoxed, but I answer, “Most of the time.”
“Let me know if he threatens you again.”
No.
“We will.” It’s Bonnie’s voice coming from her office next to mine. “That guy is such a douche.”
“She’s right. We will.”
“Good.” Smiling, he adds, “I need to get back to work.”
