The Office Rival: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

Haden: Wait, are you still offering?

I respond at a very slow pace, checking all my words before I hit send.

Me: Round two. I’m not offering. HANG out with us if you want.

I hit send and jump when I see him standing beside me with a grin on his bearded face. I hadn’t paid close enough attention to see that he had grown it out until now.

“What’s with the beehive, Jerk?”

He rubs his beard making a scratching sound. “Just something new I’m trying out.”

“If it makes you feel better, you look like Bigfoot.” I turn back around abruptly.

“Actually, that does make me feel better.”

He continues to linger, making me feel very uncomfortable.

“So, are you over your little drama now?” he chastises.

“What drama?”

“The drama that made you ignore me from the moment you woke up at the hotel.”

What excuse can I come up with that was plausible?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You must be talking about yourself,” I say in a clear and nonchalant tone.

He lets out a loose chuckle, scratching his scruff again. “Women.”

It’s the last thing he says before walking back to his desk.

Clive’s last-minute lunch got canceled, and thankfully, it gave me an excuse to avoid Haden until Monday.

Friday has officially become my favorite day for two reasons.

One, I can wear my unattractive muumuu at night and stay indoors.

Two, I don’t have to see Haden, which means I can stop thinking about how that beard would feel brushing against my thighs.

As soon as I walk through the door on Friday night, I’m surprised to see Kate already home. She tells me to get dressed quickly because we are going out to dinner with her boss. I only agree because she said the restaurant makes the best enchiladas in the city, so we head off.

“Lex,” Kate yells amid the small crowd sitting in the restaurant.

Her boss, Lex, is no doubt one of the most gorgeous men I have ever seen. Dressed in a crisp navy suit and a white linen shirt, he stands up and opens his arms to hug Kate. His eyes are like emeralds. And wow, he is all types of beautiful.

“Lex, this is my roommate, Presley Malone,” Kate introduces, taking a seat at the small, round table.

He reaches out his hand and shakes mine, and when I pull back, I notice the white gold band on his wedding finger. I remember now how Kate told me he was married with kids. Go figure. The good ones are always taken.

“Nice to meet you, Presley. Kate’s told me a lot about you.” He pulls out the chair beside him, and I take a seat, giving him a nod in thanks.

“And vice versa. So, Kate has raved on about these enchiladas, and I’d like to point out that I am eating for two, so no judgment from either of you.”

Lex laughs as he scours the menu. “My wife used to always say that. It’s how she justified ordering the whole menu.”

“Oh, that’s right, Kate mentioned you had two daughters.” I smile.

Kate’s face lights up immediately. “Yes, two of the most beautiful girls ever to exist.”