I hung my head in resignation and sighed. I’m pretty sure I heard Delfia laugh, that was until Mr. Greyson glanced her way.
He looked back at me, pleasantly smiled, and invited me into his office. I entered silently, and he closed the door behind us. I looked around and wished for Boss.
“Please have a seat,” he said while motioning to the chairs in front of his desk.
He sat next to me instead of behind his desk and studied me for a moment. He rubbed his hands together. “I think we need to clear some things up. I know how things appeared last night.”
I put my hand up. “Mr. Greyson, you owe me no explanation. Your personal life is just that, personal. But I find your and your girlfriend’s behavior in the office to be highly unprofessional.”
“Girlfriend? Alexa’s not my girlfriend,” he spluttered.
“Oh please, I don’t care what you call her, except I do find it hypocritical that you call her Alexa instead of Ms. Manselle. I guess professional boundaries are merely guidelines for you.”
“Ms. Bryant, Alexa is not an employee, and I’ve known her for years.”
“Like maybe thirteen or fourteen.” I didn’t add that’s how long we had known each other, but by the drop in his face, I knew he got it.
“No . . . not that long,” he admitted. “But regardless, she’s not an employee.”
I stood. “I need to go. I have an office to run.”
He stood too. He hesitantly reached out and touched my arm. “Ms. Bryant, please.”
“Please what?” I peered up into those chocolate eyes of his.
“I thought that when I got back things would be . . . different.”
I did too, but I didn’t repeat the sentiment.
Alexa came barging in without knocking.
Mr. Greyson dropped his hand, and I took that as my cue to leave.
“Oh, did I interrupt something?” She batted her fake eyelashes.
I wasn’t buying her faux sincerity. “Not at all, Ms. Manselle.”
“Oh haha. Call me Alexa, silly.”
I threw Mr. Greyson a look that said,this is the best you could do,before I stalked off. I heard her ask, “So where are we going to lunch?” before I closed the door.
Delfia was shaking her head, tsking when I walked out. That’s all I felt like doing too.Why her?I kept thinking.
I was able to spend the rest of my day working with our account managers and going over sales goals. I actually waited for Mr. Greyson to leave before I went back upstairs. I ended up being the last one there.It was one very long day, so much so it was take-out, PJs, and remote in hand for the rest of the night.
Again, I was the first one there the next morning. If I kept this up, I would be more than caught up on all my work for the next month at least.
Around a quarter after nine, Mr. Greyson opened my door. “Are you ready to leave?”
I barely looked up. “Yes, I’ll meet you there.”
“We’re not driving together?” he asked.
I set down my pen. “No. I know where I’m going.”
He stood still as if I might change my mind.
I was happy to disappoint him. “I’ll see you there,” I said, like that settled it.
