Page 11 of Keeping Denver

After I finish the last bite of chicken, I stand from the sofa and go about clearing the table. "Thank you for lunch. I already feel better." I toss the empty containers in the trash bin and turn to face Mr. Hawk before I exit his office. "I'll be at my desk."

6

It's been three weeks since I started working at Hawk Law. Each day passes much the same. I'm bogged down with calls, emails, and appointment scheduling all day, and I like it. Staying busy makes the days go by much faster. Another plus is that I've saved the amount needed to put a deposit down on a place of my own. Tomorrow I'm meeting the apartment manager at noon to see a studio apartment. It took me a week to find a place I could afford. It's not in a great neighborhood and the commute to work will be an hour, but it will be worth it to have my own place finally. The guy told me over the phone that the first month's rent and deposit are due on the spot. Rent is thirteen hundred a month and the deposit is five hundred. I breathed a sigh of relief when I opened my last check and it revealed I had made just enough over the last few weeks to cover the cost plus a couple hundred left over. I'm so giddy I can hardly contain my excitement. Tomorrow can't come soon enough.

"Miss Hollis," Mr. Hawk gives me a curt nod as he strolls past my desk with his briefcase in hand. "Did you get the Braxton file I asked for and email his lawyer's assistant?"

"Yes, Sir. I set it on your desk this morning. And I forwarded Granger's assistants' reply a few minutes ago."

Recently Mr. Hawk has been neck-deep into two new cases. So much so he called everyone into the office an hour early this morning. I don't mind, though. It's much better here rather than the shelter.

Standing, I round my desk. "I'll have your coffee to you in a minute. Also, Frances brought in some bagels from the bakery on the corner. Would you like one?"

With a jerk of his chin for confirmation, I set out for the breakroom. I sigh when I spot Kelly fixing herself a cup of coffee. I don't say a word as I patiently wait for her to finish. Once she does, I grab a pod of Mr. Hawk's favorite brew from the cabinet, and pop it into the Keurig. The whole time I feel Kelly drilling holes into the back of my head. Continuing to ignore her, I grab a napkin and open the box sitting on the table to snag a bagel. Finally, having enough of Kelly's antics, I turn to face her. She has her hip propped against the counter as she casually sips from her mug.

"Is there something I can help you with, Kelly?"

"No. I'm just keeping an eye on you to make sure you don't steal anything."

My face heats. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not going to steal anything."

"That innocent little act you have going doesn't fool me, honey. I've seen it with my own eyes. You take food from here when you think nobody is looking."

"Kelly, I…"

"It's only a matter of time before Frances and Mr. Hawk see you for the lying little thief you are." Kelly takes two steps in my direction, coming face to face with me. "Your days here are numbered. And when you're gone, I'll be here to take your place beside Mr. Hawk, where I belong." Kelly shakes her head, giving me a look of pity. "I see the way you look at him. You're delusional to think he could ever be interested in a pitiful nobody like you. Someone who can't even bother to wash the coffee stain from the shirt she wore two days ago. Take a good long look in the mirror, Denver. You don't belong here, and Mr. Hawk would never look at you twice. You're his errand girl. His little mouse, which fetches his coffee and bagel."

With her cruel parting words, Kelly saunters out the door, leaving me feeling ashamed and embarrassed. If she's noticing the way I look at my boss, I wonder who else has. I look down at my shirt, and notice the stain I tried to wash out in the bathroom sink at the shelter the other day. Laundry day is Saturday. There was no way I could take my things to the laundromat after work and still have time to stand in line at the shelter for a bed.

"Good morning, Denver. How are you?" Lucas walks in with a grin on his face. I fix my features and shake off my encounter with Kelly.

"Hi, Lucas. I'm doing okay. How are you?" I grab a bagel for Mr. Hawk and one for myself, then finish my task fixing his coffee—black with two sugars.

"I can't complain. Not when I get to come to work and see your pretty face."

I blush at the compliment. Lucas has been friendly since I started working here, but he has never flirted. Or at least that's what I think he's doing. I could be wrong.

"So, how do you like working here, Denver? The boss treating you okay?"

I nod. "Yes. I like it here, and everyone has been nice." All aside from Kelly, but I don't tell Lucas that. With Mr. Hawk's coffee and bagels in hand, I give Lucas a small smile as I head toward the door. "Speaking of the boss, I better get him his coffee."

"Say, Denver," Lucas stops me. "Would you like to go out sometime? There is a restaurant two blocks from here I think you'd like."

I look down at my feet to hide my red cheeks. Lucas is a handsome man with sandy blond hair and kind chocolate eyes. I'm tempted to say yes, but my current situation has me taking pause. I'm just about to turn him down when his deep voice chimes in behind me. "She can't."

I chance a glance over my shoulder to see Mr. Hawk standing there. His attention laser-focused on Lucas.

"Oh. I didn't realize there was a no fraternization policy with the company, boss," Lucas states with a puzzled look.

"There's not," Mr. Hawk confirms with no further explanation.

I watch as several looks cross Lucas's face before it morphs into a smile. "I see."

I see? What does he see?

"Well, I better get to work. I'll see you around, Denver," Lucas nods toward me and then to our boss, leaving me confused.

Not knowing what just happened and with really nothing to say, I thrust the cup toward Mr. Hawk. "Here's your coffee."