The Personal Shopper

“You hate Jeff.”

I just scoff at him. Of course he can’t keep things professional and has to bring up old memories between us about how I used to vent to him about my family always nagging me about dating Jeff.

“I’m sorry. Are we besties now?” I glare over to him again. “Besides you don’t need to be rude. Maybe me and Jeff are dating now. Maybe we are married. You wouldn’t know. You aren’t a part of my life now, so please don’t act like you are.”

Parker is just looking at me. Neither one of us breaks eye contact. I can’t tell if what I said had any effect on him, but he won’t look away. It feels like the whole world around has disappeared, and the only thing I can hear is the sound of my heart and both of our breaths.

The elevator dings, and the doors open breaking the silence. I quickly turn and walk in. I wish things could be different with Parker, but I have to protect myself. If I keep him away, then he won’t be able to hurt me again. We get back down to our floor, and I point my finger toward reception. “Julie will show you to your office and around the breakroom and such.”

I turn away to leave, but then my steps slow as Parker calls out. “I’ll be seeing you soon Ava.”

I get goosebumps up my arms at his words. It wasn’t a question. It was a promise. I shake out my arms and head back to my own office.

???

Parker

After Julie showed me around the office, I decided to get settled in my own. I’ve barely turned on my computer and opened my email before I see Ava storming in. When I said I’d be seeing her soon, I didn’t exactly mean 15 minutes later, but I’m not surprised. I can already guess what this is about.

“Did you cancel all of my subscriptions?” She shouts. Her face is getting redder, and her hands are clenched at her sides. God, she’s cute when she’s mad. “You’re cute when you're mad.”

Did I just say that out loud?

“Did you just say that to me?” She’s making a disgusted face at me now. I just shrug my shoulders like it’s not a big deal and turn back toward my computer.

She’s still standing there glaring at me, so I just add, “Your dad sent me your credit card statements on Friday and since I was just sitting in my hotel all weekend, I decided to get started.”

Her hands seem to ball into even tighter fists, and she grits through her teeth, “And you didn’t think you should check with me first before you just cancelled everything?”

I just shake my head. “No. If anything is actually necessary, we can address them on an individual basis. It would take way too long to go through every one as a starting point. Besides from what I could tell, they were all useless.”

Ava is fuming now. “You asshole.”

I don’t know why but this makes me smile. “Hey, no need to name call. You don’t see me calling you a spoiled, entitled, overpaid stylist.” I wink at the end, but Ava is staring at me with her mouth hanging open.

“You did not just....” She stops then just throws her hands up in the air and stomps out of the room. From the hall she yells out. “You’re going to regret this Parker!”

Oh good. Glad to know things can actually get worse between us than they already are now. She’s going to be mad at me for every change I make, so I might as well have some fun with her while I’m at it.

Now if I can just stop thinking inappropriate thoughts about her, we’ll be all good. I am definitely not making the mistake twice of dating someone I am working with. Not that Ava would date me anyway. Plus her dad is the boss, so I don’t have to worry about her sleeping with him. No wait what. That’s a reason I could date her.

Stop Parker. You can’t think about her that way. Ugh. How am I supposed to live across the hall from this woman?

Chapter 3

Ava

I set my phone on the kitchen counter and grab a glass of wine. I need it after today. I swear I spent so long in the shower when I got home just trying to wash the day off. Not only did I have to see Parker again, but my email kept getting flooded with cancelation notices for various services.

I mean sure some of them aren’t absolutely necessary, but they make my job easier and it’s not like they are any of the high ticket items that daddy was talking about reducing spend on. I feel like Parker is just purposefully trying to find these little things to take away from me just to piss me off.

I grab my glass and head over to my couch to watch some TV and settle down for the night. This is exactly what I needed. I grab my furry blanket to get cozy since I just threw on a silk tank top with matching shorts. They are so soft and comfy, but I am a little chilly.

My phone pings, and I look at the notification from my email. I don’t usually read emails after 7 p.m., but the name catches my eye. Reggie Moore.

I have been working with her for the past month to try to secure a piece for the charity gala next week. I click on the email to read it.

Reggie Moore