She gave me a knowing look. “Someday you and I will be domestic divas together, but for now, you continue to be Chandler’s rock star.”
I hugged her tightly. “I love you, Manda Panda.”
She squeezed back. “I know, Kelli Jelly.”
She left me, and I went back to work feeling a little better. I really did love that girl. The rest of the day flew by as I focused on doing what I’d always done, and that was my best. I reminded myself it had been a mistake to think that Mr. Greyson and I could be friends. I needed, once again, to separate him from the man I once knew. It was clear that man didn’t exist anymore, and even if he did, I needed to remember that he left me with no thought at all.
RIGHT BEFORE I WAS READY to leave for the day, there was a knock on my door. I figured it was Delfia saying goodbye, so I said come in. It wasn’t her. I sighed in exasperation. “What can I do for you?”
He leaned against the doorframe, taking a moment before he walked in. “Lorelai is ready to sign the proposal you sent her.”
“That’s great news,” I said dryly.
“But she would like us to demo the product for her sales team before she signs on the dotted line. Are you available on Wednesday morning?”
I pulled up my calendar and glanced at it. “Looks like I’m available. What time?”
“Ten.”
I put it on my calendar and said, “Okay.” I figured that was it, so I hit the power button on my computer to shut it down, but he didn’t leave like I expected him to.
“Ms. Bryant.”
I kept putting things away, getting ready to leave. I didn’t even look up at him when I responded, “Yes?”
“I apologize for not giving you notice that I had hired a contractor.”
I shrugged my shoulders and closed my laptop. “You’re the boss, right?”
“Ms. Bryant, please.”
I shot him a cold glance. “Good night, Mr. Greyson.” I grabbedmy satchel and walked out, leaving him there staring after me. I ran straight into Alexa.
“Do you know where Ian is? I’m so ready to leave,” she whined.
I pointed to my office and continued to walk away, thanking my lucky stars I wouldn’t have to see her again until tomorrow, even though that was way too soon. Actually, forever was too soon for my taste, but at least I had belly dancing to look forward to, I needed a serious endorphin boost.
I needed one so bad, I only went home to change and drop off my laptop. I headed straight to the Y and ran on the track before my class. I was in such a mood, I kind of overdid it and dragged a little in my class, but it was well worth it. I was tired when I left, but it was a good kind of tired. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the kind that could carry me through the scene I had waiting for me at my apartment complex. I returned just in time to see Mr. Greyson carrying what looked like Alexa’s designer luggage from his apartment across the courtyard. He froze when he saw me, and for some reason, I froze too.
Alexa looked between the two of us and grinned wickedly. “Thanks for letting me stay the night last night,” she announced loudly.
I smirked at them both and walked away. I already figured she was sleeping with the boss, but why she thought that would bother me I found interesting. I was happy to disappoint her. I didn’t even bother looking at my idiot boss’s reaction. He was the world’s biggest hypocrite. It made me wonder what I ever saw in him. I used to think he was such a stand-up guy.
I walked into my apartment, and immediately my phone rang. It was the hypocritical idiot, so I ignored it. I was off the clock, and I didn’t want to be friends with someone like him. I thought maybe we could after the last two weeks, but I was dead wrong.
I decided the next day that I would start getting to work extra early, even before Delfia; this way I could be safely in my office with the door closed before anyone else showed up. My target time was ten minutes until seven. I didn’t think anyone got there before 7:15 usually, but I was hedging my bets. It paid off.
It was such a relief to walk into a quiet office, devoid of those who were now making my professional life hellish. It was so sad to thinkthat it wasn’t that long ago that I was happy to come into work every day. Now I felt on edge, and even slightly uncomfortable. Maybe I was being spoofed and any day now someone would say, “Just kidding,” and I could go back to the way it was before Mr. Greyson showed up.
I reveled in the quiet as I responded to email and polished up my presentation for the next day. Delfia got there thirty minutes after me. She walked in my office, and we took turns bashing our new “contractor.” Apparently, I’d missed most of the action as I stayed behind closed doors. I guess she followed Mr. Greyson around everywhere and complained constantly. The complaints ranged from the humidity to how long lunch took to arrive. Delfia perfectly imitated her squeaky little voice, and we both broke out into hysterical laughter. I knew it wasn’t kind, and it was quite unprofessional, but I needed the comic relief. At that point, it was either laugh or cry. I was proud of myself as I refrained from sharing my little news about them spending the night together. They were consenting adults and what they did in private should stay private as far as I was concerned.
I had a pleasant morning with just myself for company. It allowed me to get a ton done. If I weren’t the manager, I would consider working from home, which reminded me, I really did need to come out of my sanctuary and go talk to the troops below. I freshened up, psyched myself up, and emerged to a smiling Delfia. “Is the coast clear?” I whispered.
She looked both ways for me and whispered, “Hurry.”
This was so ridiculous.
I scooted out toward the stairs, but it was like he knew. As soon as I passed his door, he opened it. “Ms. Bryant, could I please speak to you?”
