She huffed and sent Jaxson an apologetic glance before she stormed away. I swore I heard the word “asshole” somewhere in her muttering as she left. It wasn’t the worst thing I’d been called, though.
Jaxson didn’t seem fazed. He blinked at me with a smirk. “Good morning to you, too, Kalinski.”
I hated how easy it was for him, as though he’d never needed to struggle to get where he was now. All he needed to do was sleep with the deputy mayor, and why hadn’t I thought of that? Oh, right, I’d been a virgin before JP had fucked me. I forced a smile on my lips and straightened my coat. Raising my chin, I said, “It’s a spectacular morning. No thanks to you.”
“Are you always this happy first thing?” The smarmy bastard was enjoying this, and it only made me hate him more. Why did he have to be so good-looking and so fucking charming that anyone would do anything for him? He’d always given me hell for coming from money, but money wasn’t everything. “Actually, while I have you here, I’d love a latte. I’m sure Vane and JP would like one, too. You know what we like.”
“I’m notyourpersonal assistant,” I hissed, rage swelling inside of my chest.
His smile widened. “No, but you do work for Vane, and I’m sure I knowexactlywhat he wants.”
“Because you fuck him.”
He winked and flashed his engagement ring at me. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing. Now don’t waste time. Vane’s here early to do some work for the mayor, so how about you get moving?”
Jaxson, the bastard, didn’t wait for an answer. He’d already turned on his heel and was making his way to the elevator. All I could do was watch him, familiar anger boiling in the pit of my stomach. He and Vane had made a fool of me, and there was no way in hell I’d apologize to them. At least… not yet. JP made me want to do it, though, if only to make him happy.
I shook my head and sighed, holding the strap of my backpack tightly. I walked straight back out of city hall to my car. I drove a few streets east and found a parking spot as close as I could to Grounds and Gears, the favorite coffee shop in the office. Cars honked as the city started filling with morning traffic; one truck nearly ran me over when I opened my door, swerving like an idiot to try to get around someone stopped in the middle of the street.
I glared at the man, and he gave me the finger in his rearview, but there was nowhere he could go, so I shook my head and strode across the street behind the stagnant cars. The coffee shop was a small café and manned by a lovely woman by the name of Red. I assumed it was a nickname because her hair was as red as flames and she wore makeup that matched the color perfectly.
I quite regularly was served by Emmy, a young person I’d noted early on had aThey/Thempin under their name tag. They were always kind, greeting me with a charming smile as they took my order.
“Are you going to get something for yourself?” Emmy asked when I reached the counter after my long wait in line. “Sorry we’re so busy today. No clue what’s up with that.”
I shook my head. “No, just the usual.”
They pouted at me but rang up the drinks, while I passed over the credit card given to me to make these sorts of purchases. I stepped to the side, and it didn’t take long for the three cardboard cups to be placed into a carrying tray before Emmy passed it to me.
I thanked them and left again.
By the time I returned to city hall and got up to Mr. Elwood’s office, JP was standing behind his desk, arms crossed and a sour look on his face.
“Where were you?”
I glanced from him to the coffees and then back again, raising my eyebrows at him. “I got caffeine. Jaxson said Mr. Elwood wanted one.”
JP snorted. “Jaxson isn’t your boss, I am.”
“No, but he’s fucking the boss,” I said dryly, my stomach clenching in frustration. Dropping the tray on the desk, I jerked my backpack off my shoulder and threw it into the corner of the room, right behind the curved desk where visitors wouldn’t see it. “I’m just a slave to all of you, and I get it, I was an intern until I blackmailed Mr. Elwood to get a job no one thinks I deserved, and you all hate me being here, but give me some credit. I’m not useless.”
“I never said you were.” He went to touch my arm, but I jerked away from him.
“You didn’t have to. I’m the stapler bitch, the one who runs to get coffee, which is fine, but don’t treat me like I’m not working my butt off to be here. I’ve done everything you’ve asked.” My chest heaved after my rant, and I curled my arms around my stomach, a lump of sickness forming there. I hated that I got so passionate about this, but I’d worked hard, yet people never saw how much.
Not here, not anywhere.
“Hey.” He stepped closer and rested his hands on my shoulders, squeezing them. I sighed at his comforting touch and closed my eyes when he put more pressure on his hold. “It’s okay. I know you work hard, very hard. You’re a good employee, Max.”
“Am I?” I hated how vulnerable I sounded, but when I opened my eyes again, he was so close I thought he was going to kiss me. His breath tickled my lips.
“Yes.” His hands slipped down my arms to my elbows and he didn’t let go. “Don’t let Jaxson tell you what to do. He’s another assistant, like you. He has no authority, even if he’s with Vane.”
I nodded, feeling better already, and smiled shyly. “Okay.”
“JP, can you—” Mr. Elwood cut off whatever he was saying, and I shot a look at him over JP’s shoulder. He’d stopped dead at the threshold of the door that led into his office with a piece of paper in his hands, staring at us like we’d both grown a second head.
JP didn’t jump away from me, but he did take a step back and turn to Mr. Elwood with his mouth pressed in a thin line. It was as though he’d forgotten we were at work and he wasn’t supposed to be touching me.
