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Following the tour, Becky showed me the kitchen and how to use the coffee machine, and the copy room and how to use the copier. Then we sat down at my computer and she showed me how to use the phone and their various computer programs. She’d printed out a list of duties and pinned it to the bulletin board behind my desk.
“As long as you get these things done, you are free to spend your free time working on whatever course work you have. I believe Ren registered you in a Photoshop course.”
Sure enough, there was an email in my inbox from Ren with information on the course. It was at 4:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In his message, he said I could leave a half hour early and he wouldn’t expect me to make up the time.
At 10:00, I received a text from Dallon.
Let’s go for lunch. We need to talk.
I didn’t respond. The last thing I wanted was to talk with Dallon; I needed space to sort out my own thoughts on everything that had happened.
At 11:30, just as Becky was wrapping up showing me how to enter my vacation time, Ren came to my desk.
“So how is your first day going, Amy?”
“Great,” Becky responded, smiling warmly at me. She stood up. “It’s lunchtime, so you go have a break. I’ll come back and check on you in the afternoon.”
“Glad to hear it’s going well,” Ren said once she’d gone. “Do you have any plans for lunch?”
“No, I brought a sandwich,” I said lamely.
He laughed. “Let me take you out for your first day. Are you able to get away now?”
“Sure.” I stood and grabbed my coat and purse before following him into the lobby. I quickly pulled out my phone and sent Dallon a text that I couldn’t meet with him, grateful to have an excuse.
Ren pushed the button for the elevator and turned to face me, smiling warmly. “Did you receive my email about the course?”
“Yes, thanks for registering me. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Good. I have a good feeling about you, Miss Clair.”
The elevator doors opened, and I inhaled sharply. There stood Dallon holding a bouquet of roses and frowning at his phone. As he glanced up, Ren put his hand on the small of my back and led me into the elevator.
Dallon’s eyes hardened.
“Hey,” I said awkwardly as the doors closed behind us. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were on your way.”
Dallon ignored me but put an arm around my waist before holding his hand out to Ren. “Dallon King. Amy’s boyfriend.”
Ren looked surprised as he took Dallon’s hand. “Oh I’m sorry, were you hoping to surprise her? We were going for lunch for Amy’s first day.” He smiled at me and I smiled back weakly.
The atmosphere in the small space was full of tension. Dallon’s grip around my waist tightened as I searched desperately for something to fill the awkward silence.
“You can join us if you’d like,” Ren said after a moment.
I tilted my head to look up at Dallon. I could tell from his expression that joining us wasn’t a good idea. Luckily the elevator pinged and the doors opened before he could respond. As we stepped out of the elevator, he took my elbow, steered me to the side. His eyes never left me as he addressed Ren.
“Can I speak with Amy alone for a moment?”
Ren frowned. “Um, sure. Amy, I’ll wait outside.”
The moment Ren was around the corner, I turned on Dallon. “What are you doing? You’re embarrassing me.”
“I don’t want you to go for lunch with him.”
I half-laughed, half-snorted. “And why the hell not?”
“Because I said so, and I make the rules.”
My head jerked back. “You can’t be serious. Dallon, he’s my boss.”
“I don’t like the way he looks at you.”
“You don’t like the way anyone looks at me! If it was up to you, I wouldn’t be doing anything.”
He took a step closer. “It is up to me.”
I sighed, exasperated. “Last night you told me to stay away from you, and now you’re telling me to stay away from my boss. You’re being possessive and paranoid. He’s just trying to do something nice and get to know me. Unlike some, he doesn’t have nasty intentions.”
Dallon scowled. “You’re still mad at me for last night.”
“I don’t know what I am. I don’t know what you are. One minute you want something, and the next you’re turning against me for giving it to you!”
I moved to pass him, but he stepped in front of me again. “I’m talking to you.”
“No, you’re holding me up. You inherited a large chunk of cash, so if you ever knew what it’s like to have to impress people, I’m sure you’ve forgotten by now. You can do whatever you want.”
“Do you think I could start a company without any prior knowledge? I’m not just a pretty face running things—I have to know what the hell I’m doing!”
“I know that. I’m sorry. I just…” I glanced toward the exit, “I have to go for lunch with my boss. I want to give a good impression.”
“Then I’ll come too.”
I hesitated. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
His eyes narrowed. “Right. And if I forbid you from going?”
I glared at him. “I think the power I gave you has gotten to your head, Dallon. I’m not some toy that you can keep all to yourself.”
He stepped out of my way, looking like he’d been burned. “I don’t see you that way.”
At that moment, Ren came around the corner. He looked at both of us and then his gaze settled on me. “Everything okay, Amy?”
“Yes, I’ll just be a minute.”
He nodded and left us again, looking like he wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do.
I turned to face Dallon again, realization setting in. “You think my boss is into me. Does you also think that’s the reason I got the job?”
He looked away, shaking his head angrily.
Now it was my turn to feel burned. Angry tears pricked my eyes. Of course he did. He wanted me for one thing in particular, and now he assumed every man wanted me for the same thing.
“Keep the roses,” I said and stormed away.
***
Ren had the decency not to bring Dallon up with me at lunch, but I still couldn’t help but feel embarrassed that he’d witnessed me having an argument on my first day of work. I didn’t want him to think I was immature and regret his decision. To make matters worse, what Dallon had implied had shaken my confidence, so that I wasn’t my usual self over lunch.
When we returned to the office, the roses were in a vase on my desk, most likely with help from Becky. If Ren noticed, he didn’t comment but continued to his office. Looking at them, I felt a little bad for not allowing Dallon to come with us, but my guilt was instantly erased when I pulled out my phone and saw his text.
I’m sorry. I don’t think that’s the only reason you were hired. I just think that you’re an attractive woman… and he has eyes.
That was hardly an apology. Now I felt that at best, he thought it was only one of the reasons for my being hired.
If you really believe I’m talented, is it so hard for you to believe that he believes that too?
Dallon texted back immediately.
Taking you for lunch is a different matter. It’s not appropriate.
My blood was boiling. I could barely type, I was so angry. My thumbs hit the keyboard with a punishing rhythm.
This is the 21st century, Mr. King. Men and women can have lunch together without it having to mean anything. And even if he did try to make a move, do you really think I’d go for it? I’m not so weak-minded, or did I give you the wrong impression on the weekend? Because I’m really starting to think submitting to you was a mistake.
I was partly referring to our fight last night, but I was sure he’d figure that out. Tossing my phone back in my purse, I tried to focus on work. Becky had given me a few things to read, mostly information on the company. An hour late
r, I checked my phone to discover he still hadn’t responded. He didn’t respond for the rest of the day, and a feeling of dread came over me.
At 4, Becky grabbed me and showed me how to run the dishwasher. “One of your jobs will be to empty it right away in the morning and run it at night.”
“Sounds good,” I said.
She frowned. “Are you all right?”
“Sorry, yes—I just have something on my mind.”
Becky smiled kindly. “It was a long day for you, I’m sure. Why don’t you take off and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Becky,” I said gratefully. As soon as I hit the street, I called Sam.
