Chapter Twelve
The next day,I sat at my desk and tried to concentrate, though the task seemed impossible. Each time I attempted to focus on my computer screen or the files that Chris wanted me to go through, my mind would wander back to Landen and yesterday.
After the thoroughly enjoyable interlude on the couch, he’d given me one of those light lip touches that made my lips tingle and left me wanting more.
Then he left.
I didn’t realize until after he was gone that he hadn’t mentioned seeing me again. The knowledge made me irritable and I wondered if he’d done it intentionally. After we made that ridiculous bet, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he avoided my company for the next couple of weeks. That would make it a hell of a lot easier for him to win.
And as moronic as the bet had been, my pride wouldn’t let me drop it.
So, I texted him.
Avoiding me for the next 2 weeks will void the bet.
As soon as I sent the message, I wanted to take it back. I’d told him that I wanted to be pursued, to be chased. Texting him first didn’t fit in with that plan. I had forced myself to set my phone down and go about putting away my laundry. When my phone dinged ten minutes later, I stared at it from the doorway to my bedroom, unable to read the screen from where it sat on the coffee table.
Finally, I sucked it up and walked into the living room. I lifted the phone and saw Landen’s name.
You’ll see me soon.
I made a face at the screen. Those words seemed equal parts threat and promise. I wanted to reply and demand a timeline, but I refused to do it. I suspected that was Landen’s plan all along. He expected me to push because that’s usually what I did.
But not this time.
Instead, I plugged my phone into the charger next to my bed and went into the living room to watch a movie. If it wasn’t within reach, I wouldn’t be tempted to check for more messages from the irritating man.
It wouldn’t have done any good anyway, because he didn’t text me again.
Now, it was nine in the morning on Monday and I had work to do. As much as I wanted to keep obsessing over Landen, Ihadto put him out of my mind. Chris had given me a stack of files this morning and asked me to take a look at some spreadsheets. It was the first time he’d trusted me with more than menial administrative tasks and I would not fail.
I wanted to show him what I was capable of. That was a huge part of my reasons for taking this job. In my old position, I’d applied numerous times for advancement, only to be turned down each and every time. I didn’t discover why until a few weeks before I heard that Lucy was looking for a replacement.
My previous boss, Alan Haines, assigned me tasks that he should have been doing himself and then took all the credit for them. He’d also blocked all my attempts to leave my administrative position though I was more than qualified for advancement. All because he hadn’t wanted to lose his good little worker bee. He wanted to keep making the big bucks without all the work.
A grin tugged at the corners of my mouth when I remembered the look on his face when I turned in my resignation. He hadn’t been expecting it. He knew about my student loans and how desperately I needed a job. He thought he had me between a rock and a hard place because this had been my first job out of college. Hell, out of high school. Before I became his administrative assistant, I’d been a receptionist for the same company.
When I gave him the letter, in person no less, his face turned a dull red and he glared at me.
“You can’t leave,” he stated gruffly. “I won’t give you a good reference. In fact, I’ll do everything in my power to deter anyone interested in hiring you. You’ll be stuck working at Starbucks.”
I hadn’t been able to hold in my laughter. “Your reference won’t be necessary,” I retorted. “I already have a job and my new boss isn’t interested in anything you have to say.”
“I wouldn’t count on it,” he shot back, fisting the letter in his hand.
Enjoying the situation more than I thought I would, I leaned over and put both hands on his desk. “Go ahead and call Chris. Tell him whatever you want. You and I both know he can’t stand you.”
“Chris?” he asked, the flush deepening over his cheekbones.
“Chris Barden,” I answered. “He’s my new boss.”
Then his face paled, all the blood draining away. “What? He already has an assistant.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “My friend, Lucy, is leaving his employ. She recommended me for the position and Chris agreed I’d be a good fit.”
His fist clenched the resignation letter tighter. “Get out. You’re fired.”
I was still grinning when I straightened and headed for the door. “Too late, I already quit. I take it you don’t want me to finish out my two-week notice.”
