One Kiss: An Office Romance

By the end of the day, I’ve managed to claw back the remaining projects from Greg’s stupid clutches. I have no idea how he even managed it. Why would anybody even work with him? Just bros being bros? He certainly didn’t have this work ethic when he was my boss.

But even though the other projects have closed, I get the clients to sign new brokerage agreements with us. Yes, we can technically sue them for breach of contract based on the old paperwork, but our ongoing relationship is more important than starting a legal battle that would ultimately benefit no one.

With the paperwork in my hand I stride back to Lou’s office, a smile plastered on my face. He looks up and automatically glances behind me, as though he is going to see someone else there.

“Oh, Clarissa, you want something?”

Wincing slightly, I just ignore the insult and walk in, laying the paperwork in front of him. “The Jaguar Plaza is still ours,” I let him know, then catch him up on the other details.

He listens patiently, nodding from time to time. I can’t tell if he is impressed, or distracted maybe? He’s definitely not celebrating me the way that I have seen him celebrate other brokers in the firm.

“Well, this is definitely something,” he finally smiles when I’m done. “You’re a good gal, Clarissa. A good worker. Thanks for letting me know.”

I swallow, unsure what to do next. A good gal? That sort of stings.

“I guess we had to get Greg out of the way before you could really shine, eh?” he smirks.

“I guess so,” I sigh, relieved that at least he realizes what I am saying is the truth.

He leans back, folding his hands together over his belly. “I’m sorry you had to wait so long to get the promotion you deserved. Speaking of which, accounting tells me they have a check for you that you didn’t pick up yet. Why don’t you go by there and see what they’ve got, eh?”

“Oh!” I blurt out. “Right. Yes. I forgot all about that!”

He leans back over the paperwork on his desk, effectively dismissing me. But I have to admit, this is the most encouragement or recognition I’ve ever gotten from him. It feels okay. Maybe it’s the most I’ve ever gotten from anyone.

Anita in accounting is a nice lady, I guess. Not friendly. She looks over her half-moon glasses at me and picks up the envelope from the top bin on her desk as soon as she sees me, as though she was waiting for me. She could have told me it was here, but whatever.

“Thanks, um, Anita,” I mumble as I pry it open, trying to glance at the number.

But when I see it, I don’t believe my eyes. I have to get to pull the check all the way out of the envelope and blink several times to believe what I am looking at.

This is the commission? From Isaac?

Despite myself, I make a decidedly girlish noise in my chest that makes Anita suck her teeth in disgust. I know I am being uncool but this is amazing! This is a lot of money! This is more money than I think I’ve ever had at once.

I could pay off my townhouse. I could buy another townhouse! Well, mostly. Townhouses are actually really expensive.

I could buy car. I could buy a car for Landry. I could take all the kids on a vacation! A cruise!

Disney World!

I could probably take out a contract on Ronnie’s life!

Okay, just kidding about that last part.

Bubbling over with excitement, I hustle toward Maxwell’s office to share the news with him. I know he already knows, since he is the one that made this happen, but I just have to tell someone—

My heart stops.

As I turn around the corner, I see Maxwell and someone, some woman plastered against him. She climbs off of him as I enter the office, and she giggles girlishly, blushing.

“Oh, excuse me… Maxwell?”

“Clarissa,” he begins, clearing his throat, “glad you’re here. I’d like you to meet my ex-fiancée, Zella Hews.”

When he says the word ex, she winces and rolls her eyes. Sensing the advantage, I stride forward with my hand out.

“Oh, nice to meet you,” I smile tightly. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”