Grayson leaned down, grabbed me by the arm, and hauled me to my feet.
“You look like a half-drowned rat.”
“Better than a fully drowned rat.”
“Don’t you have an umbrella?” His deep voice conveyed extreme annoyance.
“Don’t you have a meeting?” I countered.
Sure, I could tell him I was fetching his pastries, but that would ruin the magic of assistants who had their lives together and planned ahead. Anthym would probably just tell him McKenna and I had screwed up, anyway.
Not to mention, after just face-planting in front of my boss, I needed to appear like I was at least marginally competent at my job. Even if it was just buying pastries.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I said, still shivering, “I’m going to go sit under the hand dryer.”
18
GRAYSON
Aleftover pastry was waiting for me on my desk when I returned to my office from seeing the meeting guests to the lobby. There was a note.
This is not a cupcake.
I sniffed the pastry then took a bite. The flavors exploded in my mouth. The flakey crust was filled with cheese, spinach, sausage, and caramelized onions. I took another bite then another, wolfing down the food like I was still backtherewith my brothers, fighting over the scraps my father would bring back.
Get ahold of yourself.
I forced myself to throw out the napkin instead of licking the crumbs.
You’re not a child. Go buy another pastry if you want one that much.
I didn’t.
Well, I did but, I needed to prove to myself I was still in control.
“Aww, did I miss the pastries?” Marius stuck his head in my office.
“What pastries?”
“You have crumbs on your suit.” He pointed.
I cursed.
“Didn’t save anything for your dear old roommate?”
I felt suddenly horribly, irrationally guilty.
“I’m just joking, man.” Marius slapped me on the back.
“Was it that bakery nearby everyone’s talking about? The one with the name that sounds like that Disney song— Bippity Boo Bakery or something like that?”
“So that’s why she always buys from there.” I narrowed my eyes.
“She who?”
“No one.”
“Your mom?” he asked carefully.
