Jamie nodded and stared blankly at the wooden door. How could he not see through Annette’s act? She sighed and moved to her desk to switch her snack alarm off and head for the stairs. As she stepped outside she checked his note, hoping whatever Mr. Reid wanted was close to a Starbucks.
Jamie,
Grab a coffee for yourself too, and keep the change.
For the record, you’re my assistant, not Annette’s.
Alex
Jamie smiled and then quickly squashed it. Alex had been unusually nice since she fainted and he had stopped addressing her so formally. He probably loved saving a damsel in distress. Annette had just been perfectly set up.
Jamie sighed. He pitied her. Mr. Reid felt sorry Jamie was so insecure. If she could change it, she would. It was just the way she was. She didn’t want his pity, and even though the extra money could be put toward her sister’s wedding gift, she wouldn’t take it.
She walked to the closest Starbucks, even though it was a block farther than a perfectly delicious coffee shop. Inside she ordered two coffees. Someone tapped on her shoulder and she turned to see Gina.
Gina smiled. “Hey,” she said. “On a coffee run as well?” They hadn’t seen each other much the past few days with the business of work, Jamie following Alex to meetings, and spending more time in his office than her own.
Jamie shook her head. “Annette came into the office and asked for coffee.”
Gina rolled her eyes. “I’ll deny it if you ever tell anyone, but I hate that bitch.”
Jamie ordered the specialty coffee and just a decaf for herself. She grinned at Gina. “She told me to wash my hands so her cup wouldn’t smell like celery. She came through my office to get to Mr. Reid’s office.”
“Why would she do that? She can go through the main office entrance.”
“Maybe no one was there,
” Jamie suggested.
Gina shook her head. “There’s always someone there. If I’m not, Sarah from downstairs comes up to cover for me. That desk is never left unattended. She did it just so she could bug you.”
“Well, Mr. Reid came through our inner office entrance and bumped into her. She fell and he had to carry her to his office to check her ankle.”
“She’s ridiculously high maintenance. Alex should just dump her. He doesn’t even like her anymore.”
Jamie raised her eyebrows. It was not any of her business whether or not Alex’s relationship was on the rocks, but she was interested all the same. Just because I hate Annette. Not for any other reason. “Why did they start dating in the first place? They seem like complete opposites.” Great, now she was gossiping, the one thing she hated.
Gina looked at her strangely. “Actually, I think they’re pretty similar,” she said. “They started dating about a year ago, but both are so career oriented they never had the time to get serious. I’m pretty sure they use each other for fucking and for dates when they’re lonely, or they’re going to some work event and that’s it. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I think Annette wants more. Alex is so focused on work he doesn’t even see how annoyed he is every time she walks into the room.”
It seemed pretty obvious to Jamie, but she wasn’t about to admit it out loud. Her job did not include talking about the boss and she had a pretty good idea Alex wouldn’t appreciate it. Her coffee order came up and she walked to pick the two cups up.
Gina followed her and then looked around as if there were possible eavesdropping employees around every corner. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but is there something going on between you and Alex?”
“What?” Jamie felt her cheeks heat up. “Of course not!”
“Good,” Gina said. “Just making sure. There are some rumors going around the office.”
“Why would anyone think that?” Jamie kept everything completely professional, except mentioning her sister, and maybe the time she passed out. But that didn’t give cause for people to start jumping to conclusions. Plus, she was completely not his type.
“Well, the two of you have been staying late at the office just about every night, you leave at the same time, and he does call you by your first name.”
“I’m sure he calls many people by their first name.” She was glad Gina didn’t know she lived in Alex’s apartment, connected to his house.
Gina shook her head. “Not his employees he doesn’t. Mr. Reid always addresses them formally. Everyone but you. Why are you guys always the last to leave the building?”
“Working! Al—Mr. Reid always works as long as he can.” She shook her head, mad she was even defending herself to Gina. “I’m his PA. He expects me to work with him for the work to go as efficiently as possible. Why is that so hard to believe?” Hell, he chose me to work for him because I’m the last person he wants to fuck. “What goes on in Mr. Reid’s personal life, is none of my, or your, business.” She turned to go.
Gina shrugged. “Last time I checked, Mr. Reid didn’t have a type. I’ve seen a lot more significant others than Annette walk through his office doors, and they look nothing alike. Just saying.”