put everything they have into this business and it’s going well, despite what they’ve been through. You being here is just one more thing that will help them grow.”
“Oh, well, I’m happy I could help.” I’m not sure how to respond to her.
“All right, well, I’m going home. I’ll see you in the morning, and don’t forget that I’m upstairs if you need a break from the male posturing and grunting down here,” she laughs as she leaves.
I chuckle too and turn back to the monitor. That’s when I see the envelope on my desk. My name is on the front, but there’s no other indication as to what it could be. I start to open it, but an alert pops up on my screen at the same time. I groan when I see what it is. This is not going to help my day end any faster. I stash the envelope in my purse and turn my full attention back to the task at hand.
It’s almost seven before I finish getting things going to a point where I feel like I can leave it. The office is empty when I emerge from my space, but the lights are still on. I have no idea if they are on timers or not so I leave it the way I find it, making my way to the elevator. Before I go out the front doors of the building, I reach into my purse to get my keys so I can walk to my car with them in my hand. It’s one of the few self-defense things I remember from a talk in college that I still do every day. My fingers touch paper and I pull it out of the bag.
I’d forgotten about the envelope that was in my office so I sit on the bench in the lobby and open it. There’s a note from James inside. I read it through twice before the message sinks in. He wants to get to know me? Has that ever happened before? Most guys just want to fuck and leave, which is fine with me. It’s a means to an end and it’s not messy. James has the potential to make my life a complete and utter disaster. But he could also make it better than it’s ever been. I internally scowl at that voice in my head. I’m supposed to be getting my shit together and my company off the ground.
I shake my head and stand up, making a vow to myself as I exit the building that I’m going to be logical and methodical about this thing with James. It’s the best way to get something done efficiently and has been how I’ve approached my adult life. It’s worked so far so I have no reason to believe it won’t work this time.
T uesday morning finds me hauling in five different flower arrangements at seven in the morning. Simone told me to have them on Stephanie’s desk before she got to work so she’d walk into the surprise. I’m quite certain the lady at the store thought I was crazy when I bought them. I noticed silver wrappers all over the place yesterday so I also purchased a small bag of the chocolate mints.
I arrange everything around the monitors and leave the candy on the keyboard. There’s a little note in one of the arrangements that will hopefully get a positive response. I turn and leave the room hoping that nobody else is here yet.
“What’re you doing, Runt?” I hear Joe ask. Fuck me. I really don’t need his shit right now.
“Going to get some work done. What are you doing, Joseph? Shouldn’t you be at your desk?” I cross my arms over my chest and wait for the smart ass answer I know is coming.
“Actually, Jason asked me to come check some specs for him. So, I guess I’m still being productive even if I’m not in my office. What is your problem? You’ve been a dick since Sunday.”
I sigh, knowing he’s right. “I’ve got a lot on my mind and until we get the system secure I can’t do anything with this contract.”
“You’ve got to be shitting me. You’re a horrible liar, Runt. I know that you’re all tied in knots over our little computer expert. It doesn’t take a genius to see it. To be honest, I’m glad. You’ve been a monk since Danielle and I, for one, am relieved to know you’re not dead inside.” He punches me on the arm as he says the last
“Oh, well, I’m happy I could help.” I’m not sure how to respond to her.
“All right, well, I’m going home. I’ll see you in the morning, and don’t forget that I’m upstairs if you need a break from the male posturing and grunting down here,” she laughs as she leaves.
I chuckle too and turn back to the monitor. That’s when I see the envelope on my desk. My name is on the front, but there’s no other indication as to what it could be. I start to open it, but an alert pops up on my screen at the same time. I groan when I see what it is. This is not going to help my day end any faster. I stash the envelope in my purse and turn my full attention back to the task at hand.
It’s almost seven before I finish getting things going to a point where I feel like I can leave it. The office is empty when I emerge from my space, but the lights are still on. I have no idea if they are on timers or not so I leave it the way I find it, making my way to the elevator. Before I go out the front doors of the building, I reach into my purse to get my keys so I can walk to my car with them in my hand. It’s one of the few self-defense things I remember from a talk in college that I still do every day. My fingers touch paper and I pull it out of the bag.
I’d forgotten about the envelope that was in my office so I sit on the bench in the lobby and open it. There’s a note from James inside. I read it through twice before the message sinks in. He wants to get to know me? Has that ever happened before? Most guys just want to fuck and leave, which is fine with me. It’s a means to an end and it’s not messy. James has the potential to make my life a complete and utter disaster. But he could also make it better than it’s ever been. I internally scowl at that voice in my head. I’m supposed to be getting my shit together and my company off the ground.
I shake my head and stand up, making a vow to myself as I exit the building that I’m going to be logical and methodical about this thing with James. It’s the best way to get something done efficiently and has been how I’ve approached my adult life. It’s worked so far so I have no reason to believe it won’t work this time.
T uesday morning finds me hauling in five different flower arrangements at seven in the morning. Simone told me to have them on Stephanie’s desk before she got to work so she’d walk into the surprise. I’m quite certain the lady at the store thought I was crazy when I bought them. I noticed silver wrappers all over the place yesterday so I also purchased a small bag of the chocolate mints.
I arrange everything around the monitors and leave the candy on the keyboard. There’s a little note in one of the arrangements that will hopefully get a positive response. I turn and leave the room hoping that nobody else is here yet.
“What’re you doing, Runt?” I hear Joe ask. Fuck me. I really don’t need his shit right now.
“Going to get some work done. What are you doing, Joseph? Shouldn’t you be at your desk?” I cross my arms over my chest and wait for the smart ass answer I know is coming.
“Actually, Jason asked me to come check some specs for him. So, I guess I’m still being productive even if I’m not in my office. What is your problem? You’ve been a dick since Sunday.”
I sigh, knowing he’s right. “I’ve got a lot on my mind and until we get the system secure I can’t do anything with this contract.”
“You’ve got to be shitting me. You’re a horrible liar, Runt. I know that you’re all tied in knots over our little computer expert. It doesn’t take a genius to see it. To be honest, I’m glad. You’ve been a monk since Danielle and I, for one, am relieved to know you’re not dead inside.” He punches me on the arm as he says the last
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