Adore Me (Rough Edges 1)

IT’S MY FIRST DAY ATmy new job and I’m ready for a fresh adventure. This will be something new and exciting for me. Normally I sleep in until six thirty, but I find myself wide awake at five.

I’m determined to do the best I can at this job, so it can possibly turn into a full-time gig down the line. Eventually, I will need to work more than part-time to be able to afford the things I want to provide Emily.

A door opens, and now that I know Damon is awake, it’s time for me to get up and move around. I want to make breakfast this morning—nothing major, just bacon and eggs. But anything to continue to show our appreciation for his hospitality.

“Good morning, how’d you sleep?” I ask Damon, holding out the cup of coffee I made for him.

“Better than I normally do.”

I miss having someone to snuggle with and keep me warm in the winter months. When Emily’s father left, the first few weeks were lonely, even if I hated his guts. Sleeping in our bed just wasn’t the same without him. How lonely Damon must feel sleeping in his bed all alone?

I make myself a cup of coffee and get the items out of the fridge for breakfast. Damon sits in the living room watching the news while I cook.

“Good morning,” Emily says, walking out of the bedroom in her pajamas and making her way to plop down right next to Damon on the couch.

“Breakfast is served. Eat while it’s hot.”

We gather around the table, some of us more awake than others.

“So, will you still be able to pick me up from school?”

“Of course, same as always.”

I’m lucky the job hours didn’t extend until after school. I have no one else to pick her up. Even though Damon would kindly do it if asked.

“All right, breakfast was delicious, but duty calls. Good luck today. And have a wonderful day at school. I’ll see you after work,” Damon says, giving Emily a huge hug before walking out the door.

Not too sure what to wear today, I throw on those same black slacks and white blouse.

“How do I look?”

“Beautiful,” Emily replies. “What about me?”

“Gorgeous.”

We head out the door and to the elementary school to drop her off, and then I continue on the road to my new job.

As I walk in the door, Harper greets me. “Good morning, Tessa. I’ll be training you. Have a seat.”

There is some paperwork that I have to fill out first before getting started on learning the ropes around here. The phones are easy to learn, and the computer system isn’t that complicated. It seems this is going to be easier than I thought. The environment isn’t toxic like the supermarket and having a boss that isn’t a complete prick is fantastic.

Harper is around the same age as me, maybe early thirties, I think. She asks me some questions to get to know me, seeing as we will be working together. I find out I’m actually her replacement because next semester she is taking over as the chemistry teacher. Apparently, she moved here from California and has been helping out as the receptionist until the teacher position starts.

“Don’t worry. Lex is very nice and isn’t gonna be up your ass. As long as you do your job, you will barely hear from him,” she says.

After December, I will be by myself up here, so that gives me some time to learn the ropes to make Harper feel okay about leaving me unattended.

I am her shadow today, watching her send faxes, answer emails and the phones, and greet each person that comes into the office.

Around eleven, we break for lunch and talk some more.

“So did you major in chemistry? Just wondering why you would choose chemistry as your subject of choice.”

Harper replies, “It’s actually quite an interesting subject, although I would have been okay teaching biology or earth science too.”

I don’t see a ring on her finger, so I assume she is single. “Any kids?”

“Nope, haven’t found the right guy yet. Maybe someday. You?”