“Oh,” I say nervously. My voice starts to shake as I continue so I lean forward and whisper, “About not meeting you in the supply closet.”
“Huh? What’re you talking about?”
“You, um, asked me to meet you in the supply closet.”
“I did no such thing, Ms. Cartwright. I’d never! You’re not my type. At. All.”
Humiliation complete. “Oh, right.”
“Besides. Weren’t you seeing Mr. Parker at that time? That would be inappropriate for you to do something like that athisparty.”
“Right. Yes. Of course,” I say quickly. When the phone rings I pick it up and say my standard line, “Parker and Associates. How may I direct your call?”
While I’m relieved to have been saved by the proverbial bell, I feel the sting of tears at the back of my eyes. I won’t cry. I refuse to cry. And you know what else I refuse to do? I refuse to provide Archie Bowman with any more Smooches. He doesn’t deserve any. Besides, he makes a lot more money than me. He could buy them himself.
“Hello? Lexie?”
Oh shoot, my mind has been on Archie and not on the caller. “Yes?”
“What’s going on?” asks Gabriel. “I’ve been saying your name repeatedly.”
“Oh, sorry. Archie was here, and I was distracted.”
“Why was he up at the front bothering you?” Gabriel’s voice sounds unusually harsh.
“He wasn’t bothering me.” Until he was. “He wanted candy.”
“Oh, well, I suppose that’s alright.”
“Gee. Thanks.”
“How may I direct your call this morning?” I didn’t even know he wasn’t in the office today.
“I don’t need you to direct my call. I wanted to speak to you.”
“Uh, hm.”
“You were late today?”
Jeez. Can Katya just let it go for one day? “Yes.”
“Why?”
“Well, Eric wasn’t there, so I had to make a dash for the “L” instead.”
“He said you never came down, so he left when I needed him.”
“I was downstairs by eight thirty. It’s fine. I don’t need a ride anymore. I’d rather plan my time myself. I’m used to getting to work my way.”
“No. I insist.”
I could argue, but I’m too tired. “Fine.” Whatever. God, I’m in such a terrible mood now. First, it was the car, then Katya, then Archie, and now Gabriel. My day is shaping up to be a hum-dinger. I sit in silence waiting for him to say something else.
“The reason I’m calling is because I need you in conference room two at noon today.”
“That’s my lunch hour.”
“I know.”
I groan. I wanted to use that time to get veggies and Archie’s candy. I no longer need the candy so just the veggies. “Fine.”
“You’ll be there?”
“Yes.” I’ll be there. I’ll be grouchy and irritable, but I’ll be there.
