Bite back.
“Says who?”
“Says who?” he parrots, confused.
“Yes. Who says colors aren’t professional?” His jaw tightens before he looks past me, and somehow, someway, I know this is a win for me.
“No one, I suppose. Just...make sure you look put together, okay? People will come in here, and you’ll be the first person they meet. You’ll set the tone for any meetings I have.”
“Well, then I’d better make sure I’m as fun, inviting, and happy as possible, shouldn’t I?” I ask with a teasing tone. “You know, since meeting you usually drains people’s energy.”
His scowl deepens, and I suppress a small smile at the fact that I’m getting a reaction out of him.
“Make sure you get those applications for the GM on my desk by four, okay?”
A win glows within me.
“Already done. They’re in your inbox, but if you’d like me to print them, just let me know. I’m working on sorting through the waitstaff applications now.” When his face shifts in confusion, I continue. “I should havethoseon your desk by four.”
“Great. Thank you,” he says through a tight jaw, before turning his back to me to finish making his coffee. Despite his brush off, I find myself smiling as I return to my desk, knowing somehow I won that battle.
June 1, Graham 0.
At noon, my stomach grumbles, signaling it’s time for my lunch. Sutton told me that as long as no appointments are scheduled and I get my work done, I can take a lunch break of up to an hour whenever I wish. The sun is shining today, and since I’m now working an office job, I’m eager to spend as much time as I can outside, and I've decided the deck behind the main building over the beach is the perfect choice. Before I go, I take in a deep breath and knock on Graham’s door.
I can’t spend the next however long I work here pretending this person doesn’t exist. Last night, I decided the best course of action was to pretend the other night never happened. I’m just here as a new hire to a semi–grumpy man whom I need to win over.
“Yeah?” he calls, and I open the door, poking my head in. A stack of papers is laid out before him, and he doesn’t lift his head to greet me.
“Hey, Graham, I’m headed out to the deck for some fresh air and to take my lunch. Want to come with me?” I ask. He just stares at me. “Lunch. Do you want to have it with me?”
“Lunch?” he asks, clearly deeply confused as to what I’m talking about.
“Yes, lunch. A meal you eat midday? Sandwiches, salads, and soup are the norm. I bought my own, though if you didn’t bring anything, I can easily wait and order something in for you. I’m going to eat outside. It’s a gorgeous day, and it seems ridiculous to spend the entirety of it inside.”
“You want to have lunch with me?” I nod. “Why would you want to have lunch with me?” he asks, genuinely confused.
I tip my head to the side, a smile tipping the edges of my lips.
“So we can get to know one another,” I say, and his frown deepens further. “I’ve decided we have a blank slate. I know nothing about you; you know nothing about me.”
“I know plenty about you,” he says, his voice smooth and alluring, and my breath catches in my chest. His own face goes blank, as if he didn’t mean to say that. I force myself to forget the things I know about him, like the fact that he has a filthy mouth or that he has an impressive cock and very much knows how to use it.
I fail miserably, but I hope that it doesn’t show on my face. Instead, I clear my throat and give him a cheery smile.
“Yes, well, blank slate, remember? That’s why I wanted to have lunch with you. To get to know you.”
“Why would we do that?”
“That’s what friends do.”
He shakes his head, almost as if that’s unfeasible.
“We’re not friends. We’re coworkers.”
I smile, happy to be on this stubborn footing. Stubborn, I can handle.
“We're not friendsyet. That’s the point of theget-to-know-one-another thing.That way, we can be friendsandcoworkers.”
