My eyes are aboutto pop out of my head and my tongue is in danger of falling out of my mouth at the impossible coincidence I’m faced with.
“Huh. Didn’t expect to see you here," Asher says, sauntering over to his desk and eyeing me up and down. “No paws this time?”
My anger at his accompanying smirk quickly morphs into further embarrassment when I realize the situation I’m in. I hadn’t expected to see that helpful stranger again, but here he is, sitting kitty-corner from me and exposing my biggest insecurity to my new coworkers.
Stars, this is not ideal.
I suck in a breath and try to keep the polite smile pasted on my face. Not that I was expecting to be best friends with my coworkers, but I had been hoping for a warmer welcome.
“You two know each other?” Alex asks, their brows furrowed as they sit at the desk next to mine.
“Not really, we ran into each other once and I helped her with a little… rodent problem," Asher replies as he opens up his laptop, blue eyes flicking to mine for a moment before returning to his computer screen, dismissing me.
“Riiiiight,” Alex draws out the word as their eyes bounce between Asher and me.
I clear my throat, trying to regain any small grasp on this situation that I can.
“Thank you, again,” I say, throwing a bright smile his way to prove everything’s fine and I’m all good now.
His only reply is a single grunt, not even looking in my direction as he does so, which does not help the apprehension coursing through my veins. I turn my attention to Alex and Kendall, doing my best to give the appropriate responses as they both welcome me before excusing themselves for a meeting. I’m left with the sticky silence between me and Asher in their wake.
I fidget with my laptop again, then jump in my seat when the shared desk phone rings. Asher throws a judgmental frown at me as he pushes the button to answer it.
“Asher, hey. I didn’t get a chance to show Raya around the office and I’m tied up the rest of the afternoon. Can you give her a quick tour for me?” Noemi says, apparently not realizing she’s on speaker-phone.
His eyes catch mine as he rumbles an affirmative and hangs up. Sparks shoot up and down my spine, though I’m not sure if they’re in warning or excited anticipation.
“Let’s do it then," he says, voice gruff with displeasure as he stands and brushes a hand down the front of his buttoned shirt, drawing my attention to the way it stretches across his broad chest.
I quickly avert my gaze and trot after him as he points out different work areas, spouting names of who sits where and what projects they’re working on. He’s curt, direct, and I have no chance of keeping any of it straight, but I pretend I’m following along all the same.
He shows me where the printer/copier and office supplies are, telling me I can take what I need for my desk. I nod in confirmation and he moves on to the bright white kitchen with an adjacent break room that has windows overlooking the Willamette River. It’s peaceful, and I pause to take in the view.
“That’s basically it. Management and HR are in the same hallway as Noemi’s office, and bathrooms are near reception. Anything else you need?” he asks, clearly ready to be done babysitting me.
“Nope, thanks. I’m all set.” I beam my brightest smile at him again, which he apparently hates, as he abruptly turns and stalks away.
I sigh and slump into one of the armchairs. I need a few minutes to wrap my mind around this situation. I cannot believe I’m working with Asher—the mystery man who helped me when I needed it, and now clearly can’t stand being in my presence.
I pull my phone out to text Zuri, knowing she’ll commiserate.
Me: You’ll never guess who sits next to me at work.
Zuri: OMG who?! Is it someone I know??
As I’m about to reply, two people walk into the kitchen area behind me, mid-gossip-sesh. I freeze, not wanting to be caught, but also kind of wanting to listen in.
“I heard it’s an alias. You know who he really is right?” one guy says. The other person must have shaken their head because they don’t answer, but he continues. “Yeah turns out his name isn’t really Asher Sullivan, it’s Asher Walton.”
The other guy scoffs. “No way. Who told you that?”
“It’s true. I looked up pictures. He’s right there standing with his parents. Same guy.”
“Asher. Like, sits at the desk by the door, dark hair, always frowning, thinks he’s better than everyone else?”
“That’s the one.”
Their voices fade and the blood drains from my face as my jaw unhinges. I blink at my reflection in the window before jerking my phone up, fingers flying.
