As if I conjured him through my thoughts, my phone lights up with a text.
Callum Rhodes: My manager seems displeased today.
He's really on me about making a sale.
Should I contact my union about this?
Attached is a picture of Plot sitting on the cash register counter, looking incredibly unamused at Callum taking his photo. I can see Maeve in the background, wearing a deep emerald colored flowy dress and waving to the camera.
My heart instantly warms at the sight.
And I kind of... wish he was in the picture, too.
I snort and save the photo before replying:
Man, your manager looks like a real hard-ass.
Would definitely file an HR complaint.
Callum Rhodes: Unfortunately, my manager is HR.
The complaint will go where it normally goes—
Right in the litter box.
Hostile work environment.
We should take this to the media!
Callum Rhodes:I think we have a prime-time story on our hands:
"Gray belligerent beast of a boss holds employees hostage for treats."
Also reports he's a potential catnip addict?
More at eleven.
I can't help it, I laugh, loud and unfiltered, before I slap ahand over my mouth to smother it.
Nurse Patti peeks around the corner to check on me, a smile on her face.
"Sorry," I whisper, slightly mortified. I don't want to disturb anyone else—some people are clearly having a tougher time today than I am.
But Patti just shakes her head, her smile gentle, and says,“Don't worry about it,”before disappearing again.
Callum just seems to have a direct line to my funny bone, both intentionally and especially unintentionally, when he says something with an innuendo and then blushes bright red. It's cute. Definitely unlike some men who try to slide in innuendos, thinking they're being charming, when in reality, they're just being crude.
Callum Rhodes:
Was able to catch the sunrise this morning.
The colors were crazy beautiful.
Figured you'd like to see.
Attached to the text is a photo taken from the boardwalk, soft gold light spilling over the water, streaks of pink, blue, and purple stretching across the sky like brushstrokes. The rising sun reflects in the water, and I can feel the peaceful stillness of the early morning.
I stare at it for a long moment before saving the photo. After only a second's hesitation, I set it as my lockscreen. The sunrises over the water are one of my favorite parts of living here, but I haven't had a chance to see one in a while.
