Chapter 5
Chase adjusted his tie and reluctantly walked in the office, afraid of the comments to come. Not only was he wearing new clothes, he’d decided to splurge on a real haircut as well. Usually, he trimmed it himself, but after realizing how bad his clothes looked, he started thinking about other things he’d been neglecting.
The nice hairstylist showed him how to style it with gel. Beth had squealed when he walked in the door. He hadn’t seen her that excited in years. She even got up early and helped him recreate the look.
Yolanda, from public relations, whistled when he passed her desk. “Que guapo, Chase.”
He gave her a passing wave, too embarrassed to look back and respond.
Mr. Davidson glared at him from his office door. “Chase, can I see you?”
“Um, sure.” Chase walked in and closed the door behind him, afraid to know what other bad news he might be facing now.
“No one else can know about the downsizing, Chase.”
Chase’s eyes widened. “I haven’t told anybody.”
“Well, you’re dressed like you’re desperate for a promotion, and I don’t want anyone thinking changes might be coming. Also, there are no promotions available.”
“I didn’t expect one. Do I look that different?” He glanced down at his white shirt and slacks.
Mr. Davidson’s face softened. “Yeah. You look different. Big interview today? Do you need to take some personal time? I could spare you for an hour, but no more than that.”
“Not today, but thank you.”
Mr. Davidson handed him a stack of papers. “Take this to your desk and act like I gave you an assignment.” He waved him off and went back to pacing in front of his window. The man was a strange mixture of kindness and stress.
Chase went to his desk and woke up his computer.
“Woo-wee. Rocky, did you get a look at Chase today?” Flynn stood up to get a better look. “Dressed to impress.”
Chase tried not to turn red, though his face was likely not cooperating. Gordon and Brian looked up from their computers and then immediately went back to work. Flynn being an idiot was not newsworthy.
Ashley met his eyes across the room. “Yep. I think he looks nice, Flynn. Thanks for pointing it out.”
With all the attention on him, today probably wouldn’t be the best day to leave something on Ashley’s desk, but he’d come prepared. Waiting wasn’t an option anyway.
***
Ashley picked up her pencil, admiring the strawberry-shaped eraser her mystery man had stuck on top. It even smelled like strawberries. This simple approach to attention-getting was something to be admired. Especially when every time she looked at Flynn he flexed his bicep for her and kissed it. His desk was in front of Mr. Davidson’s office, or she’d never look in that direction at all.
Before she left for lunch, she plucked off a sticky note and wrote,Do I get a name, stranger?She placed it above her keyboard. It was a pointless attempt. She wasn’t sure she was ready to know who she was contacting, nor did she believe for one second he’d reveal his identity just because she asked. But she did it anyway.
Flirting with a nameless, faceless stranger. This was a bad idea. Curiosity killed the cat and all that. And yet, the shot of nerves it gave her had to be better than mindlessly going through the motions of her day.
She headed over to the sub sandwich shop across the street and waited in the long line. Despite the crowds, they always got people in and out quickly.
“Hi, Ashley.”
She turned to see Allen, one of the customer service supervisors, right behind her. “Oh, hi, Allen.”
They hadn’t talked much since she moved out of customer service, but he used to have the cubicle next to her.
“How are the newbies doing?” Customer service tended to be a revolving door of phone reps. Most people burned out after a few months.
“Eh, there are maybe four that are any good at it, and of those, I bet only two will stick around. They don’t make ‘em like you and me anymore.”
“That’s right. AutoBest pride.” She pumped her fist. “When did you guys stop doing the cheesy cheer in the mornings?”
