The Office Rival: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

“It’ll just be us, Miss Malone.”

To this day, I have no idea what exactly Haden’s role is in this publishing firm. Mr. Sadler is a kind man and definitely sees the good in people. He is a great boss, but occasionally I have to question his decisions—like hiring Haden. I am fairly certain Haden is sleeping with some head honcho, given his half-assed attempt to get any work done, plus his timekeeping is nonexistent.

I clear my throat and begin presenting the latest manuscript I have been reading which is well received by my co-editors. Somewhere during my introduction of the characters, Mr. Sadler’s phone vibrates, and he excuses himself to take the call. Great. If Haden leaves this room alive, it’ll be a fucking miracle.

“So, let me get this straight,” Haden questions, leaning back into his chair like an arrogant asshole. “The main character, Violet, is a sex addict and somehow meets this twenty-five-year-old virgin who she falls in love with? How is that even possible?”

“It’s fiction,” I seethe. “Anything is possible, Mr. Cooper.”

“Yeah, but give your readers some credit, Malone. A twenty-five-year-old virgin?”

“He was raised by a religious group who believed sex before marriage was a sin. His character moves to the big city, and he runs into this woman at his local grocery store. How is that unbelievable? And I’m fairly certain that the last time you checked, you were missing a vagina and therefore have no clue what women want.”

“Quite snappy this morning, Malone. Something keep you up?”

I am ready to pounce on him when Mr. Sadler pops back in and asks me to resume. I do so without looking at the Jerk, and by the end, Mr. Sadler is pleased and asks to see a final presentation by the end of the month.

He leaves the room, and I pack up my materials in silence.

“Perhaps next time, you prepare in advance. Doesn’t hurt to plan ahead,” he tells me. “You should try it sometime.”

“Perhaps next time, you stop being an ass and tell me in advance that I need to prepare a presentation. I don’t appreciate being told late at night. Some of us use the night hours to sleep, not whore it around the city.”

“You can sleep when you’re dead, Malone. I had you pegged for being a little bit more adventurous.”

I almost drop my items in a blind rage. “You don’t know me,” I grit through my teeth. “So whatever game you’re playing, leave me the hell alone. You’ve got your toys to play with. In fact, she’s probably waiting for you now.”

Leaning against the wall, he crosses his arms as his lips turn upward, forming an annoying smile with a hidden agenda. “Ouch! Jealousy is an ugly trait on you.”

“Jealousy?” I laugh. “I know what it’s like to be with a real man, so don’t for a second think you’re worth my time.”

“So, tell me then, Presley, if you know what it’s like to be with a real man, why did you break it off with him?”

He catches me off guard. “Excuse me? How did you know I broke it off?”

“Office gossip. Helps that I’m sleeping with her.”

I am at a loss for words. The subject of Jason and I no longer being together is still very raw, especially in my current state of mind with lack of sleep and no morning coffee.

It overwhelms me.

He isn’t worth a single second more, so I walk past him.

Ignorance is bliss.

For the rest of the day, he is smart enough to avoid me. It doesn’t stop him from canoodling with Dee, and because I am exhausted, my hearing is impaired, and I accidentally find myself asleep for a few minutes at my desk.

“Pres… Presley.” A hand shakes my shoulder.

Dazed, I focus in on Vicky’s face. “Did I fall asleep?” I mumble.

Vicky laughs, handing me a cup of coffee. “Uh, yeah. Rough night?”

“Yeah.”

“You know what you need? A girls’ night out. Drinks, dancing, and some good, clean fun.”

“Clean fun?”