“Everything okay?” I ask when she finally reaches me. She turns to watch the guy get into the elevator, his eyes locked on her as the doors close.
“My boss,” she mutters, like she’s annoyed.
“Isn’t that the guy from the club the other night?” With her photographic memory, no way would she miss that. But I could be wrong. It was dark and she was across the room talking to him that night.
“Ah, yeah.”
“Yikes. Did he hit on you that night? Because that would make things awkward for sure. Dating and working together can’t work. It would be a mess.” It’s definitely something I wouldn’t want to do. This job is too important to risk.
“Because I date?” she jokes, making me laugh. No, Paige doesn’t date. She flirts sometimes, but that’s about it.
“How was your breakfast?”
My face warms once again, and her eyebrows rise.
“That good, huh?”
I’ve really got to get this blushing thing under control.
“It was wonderful. I really like him, Paige. Like scary-like him, and this is happening so fast. It’s kind of freaking me out a little.”
“Wow, that much?” Her brows furrow a little in concern.
“Yeah. It’s too fast, isn’t it?”
“You can’t help your emotions, Mal. You’ll be fine. You’re a smart girl, and if something happens I’ll be here to help you pick up the pieces.” She reaches out, grabbing my hand. “I got you.”
It’s an odd way to put it, as if the heartbreak is impending. But I shake it off, thinking Paige always looks at things differently than I do.
“I know. I’m so lucky to have gotten to pair up with you.” I wonder how things would have turned out if I hadn’t had her by my side these last four years. Would I have made it through college? Yeah, but having Paige has made things so much easier. She’s the first person in my life I could ever rely on, and I felt like she was there to catch me. She’s my only real family.
“Don’t get all mushy on me.” She pulls me in for a hug. “Get back to work,” she says in my ear, making me laugh.
“I’ll be home late. I hear I’m working after hours.”
“All right. I’ll order something in. You can reheat it when you get home.”
“Sounds good.” We say our goodbyes before I head back to my floor, stopping short when I get to my desk. There are six cubicles in the center of the floor with full offices all around them. I’m between Skyler and Eric.
There is a sub sandwich sitting on my desk, and a coffee that looks to be made the way I like it.
“Did you see someone drop this off?” I ask Skyler, who stands up to look over the low cubicle wall.
“Some delivery boy dropped it off a few seconds ago. I thought you ordered it or something.” She shrugs, then leans a little closer. “If I have to fix one more of Eric’s reports, I’m going to choke him,” she whispers conspiratorially. I nod in agreement.
“I know,” I tell her.
She rolls her eyes, taking a deep breath before sitting back down at her own desk. Just then, Linda comes strolling out of her office. Like everyone else in this building, she’s dressed to the nines. I’m going to have to spend my first few paychecks on getting some better clothes. Maybe I can find stuff I can mix and match so I won’t need as many things. I didn’t notice it the first time we met, but she looks extremely young to be my boss. It gives me hope that you can move up fast if you work hard.
“Mallory, I need you to stay with Eric and Skyler until all those reports are done.”
“Of course.”
She nods and turns, heading back into her office.
I sit down at my desk, pulling out my phone. This sandwich could have only come from one person. I laugh when I see I have three missed texts and a missed phone call, all from Oz. He’s clearly not patient.
Oz: You have to eat, baby.
Oz: Is there something else you can get there?
Oz: I’ll get it worked out for you.
How he did this so fast blows my mind.
Me: I swear, you really are the Wizard of Oz pulling all the strings. Thank you for the sandwich and coffee.
Clearly, the man can pop out of nowhere and make things happen.
Oz: I don’t like when you don’t respond to my messages.
This should worry me, but again, the stupid butterflies in my stomach have a mind of their own. This can’t be healthy.
Me: I’m at work. Sometimes things come up and I can’t text right away.
Oz: I can’t wait to see you tonight.
I snort at his change of subject. I love how he doesn’t seem to care that he comes on strong and almost sounds a little needy. This isn’t a game with him.