“Do you even have time for lunch in there?” Liam asked.
“Barely. I get like twenty minutes.” He didn’t mention that it was like this every year, so Sharon, the receptionist, ensured that lunch was promptly delivered at 12:30 pm every day, rotating through the usual orders and restaurants that the three partners kept on file. Yesterday had been deli sandwiches. Today would probably be pizza and salads.All the more reason to have oatmeal for breakfast.He’d be starving by noon, but his stomach wouldn’t hate him.
“That sucks.”
“Yeah, well, I have an office job, unlike some men around here.”
“I’ve got the whole day off. Maybe I’ll stay here and pretend I live here again. Watch your TV. Wear your clothes…” He lowered his voice near Benson’s ear on his way back to the kitchen, “Invite Eden over and have my way with her all over your furniture.”
Benson couldn’t even be annoyed. “Take a few pictures for me. Since I’ll be missing it.”
“The man is immune…” Liam hesitated in the kitchen before clattering his breakfast dishes into the sink. “Amazing.”
More like Benson was too focused on getting through this awful season. He couldn’t get sucked into Liam’s teasing.But don’t actually do that.Liam could lock up on his way out ifhe wanted, but probably best that he not invite anyone over. Including their girlfriend.
He spent most of the morning at work running the gamut of meetings, quick two-minute breaks, and coffee. Long after lunch – which was, in fact, pizza – he stared down three more meetings before he was free for the weekend. With “free” simply meaning not coming into the office for meetings. He still had paperwork to do at home.
The man had three minutes to spare, which he spent texting the group chat about plans for the weekend, but Shirley’s voice cracked over his intercom system.
“You’ve got someone here to see you that’s not on the schedule, Mr. Smith,” she said with a chastising tone. “I think you’ll want to see this one.”
“Who is it?”
Too late. Benson glanced through the opened blinds on his office windows and saw his ex-wife sitting in the waiting area.
The fuck!
He hadn’t spoken to Sydney face-to-face since the last charity dinner they attended together with Drew, and that was nine months ago.I haven’t spoken to her since she called me while I was in the Caribbean.Outside of Drew’s schooling, there was no reason to talk anymore.
Yet she was here, and that must have meant something.
“What are you doing here?”
That was how he greeted his ex-wife when he stepped out of the office. To her credit, Sydney offered him a smile when she looked up and beheld him standing next to her.
“I’d like to speak with you, if you have a moment.”
“Now? Syd, you know it’s tax season. I’m booked solid.”
“I can wait.”
Awkwardly, Benson looked over his shoulder and at Sharon, who pretended not to be paying attention. “I’ve got an appointment in three minutes. I can’t delay it.”
“As I said, I’ll wait.”
“But…”
“I can work some magic to give you two ten minutes after your upcoming appointment, Mr. Smith,” Sharon said. “Who will be here any moment.”
Benson glanced back at his ex-wife. “You’re gonna sit here for an hour?”
“If that’s necessary. I know how busy you are.”
“What’s this about? Just call me later at dinner.”
“I’d rather talk face-to-face. Besides, I’ve got plans tonight.”
“Fine.” Benson saw his appointment walk through the door. “Give me an hour.”
