“Bad,” I confirm. “But also, I think I’m going to have to learn to manage this job and the Big Bad Boss?—”
“Ahem,” a deep male voice clears his throat behind me. I straighten slowly, dread pooling in my limbs as I slowly turn.
Gris stands in the doorway, Rush just behind him, both looking at me. My face flames as I gasp in a breath.
Did Rush know what I was saying? Am I about to be in trouble? I hold the damp paper towel to my abdomen, my body curling as I try to face whatever is coming.
“Ladies,” Gris drawls as he leans on the door jam. “Can I confess my disappointment that I didn’t receive an invitation to this tête-à-tête?”
“Gris,” Rush rumbles behind him.
At the same moment, Rachel sighs.
Not sure what else to do, I bend down and pick up the trash bag I’d collected.
“We have janitorial staff,” Rush growls out.
I freeze again. “I…I didn’t want the room to smell like our lunch. I know there are meetings scheduled here this afternoon…” I feel my face getting even hotter.
“You think of everything,” Gris gives me an easy smile and a wink.
But I barely notice as I start moving again, eager to leave and return to my desk. I feel like I’m one wrong move away from being fired or punished or?—
I dip my chin, trying to hustle past them, through the doorway.
Rush’s hand shoots out to stop me and I visibly flinch. I’m flustered and I know it. My gut reaction is to turn away from a man’s touch, but I try to hide it most of the time. But in this moment…
I hear Erika give a small cry behind me, and I know I was completely obvious. Nipping at my lip, I can feel my eyes welling with tears.
It’s so silly, my boss is not going to rear back and hit me, but I can’t shake the reaction, the fear.
“Gigi,” his voice is soft, not like I’ve ever heard it. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I gasp. “I’ll just take this trash to the chute and then I can start on the financial reports for the?—”
His hand brushes mine, taking first the trash bag and then the paper towels from my fingers. My blouse now has a wet spot from where I’d held the damp towel against the fabric.
God, I’m a mess.
“I’ll take the trash. You go wait in my office.”
My breath hitches. I’m going to be fired. He heard me and… He turns, heading toward the elevator and I stand watching him go, horrified at what I’ve done and what I’m sure is about to happen.
“Come, luv,” Gris murmurs next to me, his hand coming to my back. His touch is gentle and I automatically heed it.
I can feel the tears threatening to spill over, and I will them back.
I don’t ask questions, they only ever make things worse. My feet move like they are someone else’s, Gris steering me toward Rush’s office.
My hands press over the damp spot, trembling, despite my best attempts to stop them.
We’ve just reached the door when Rush appears again. “I’ve got her from here, Gris.”
Gris’s hand drops and he withdraws, leaving me with the boss I just insulted.
“I…” I start, finally lifting my head. “I’m sorry. I…”
He waves his hand, dismissing my words. “In my office, Gigi.”
