The intruder drops a white monstrosity he must have found in a technology museum on my desk and then frowns at me, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Mr. Stone?”
I nod.
“Mr. Liam Stone?”
I try to ignore the sweaty patches under his arms and nod again.
He shrugs. “I expected you to be much older.”
“So do I,” I say flatly. “Most days.”
Why am I having this conversation with this guy? Today has exceeded my tolerance for people.
He chuckles and moves back to the door, where he squats, subjecting me to an unfortunate view of his ass crack.
I look away. Immediately.
He hoists another ancient piece of hardware.
“I thought you were older when Ms. Moretti asked me to get you the most basic, oldest computer because you don’t understand the current technology,” he says, as if nothing about that premise was ridiculous or improbable.
Balancing a computer in his arms, he walks around and drops it to the ground beside me.
I roll my chair back on instinct. Self-preservation.
He drops to his knees and proceeds to fidget with cables under my desk.
“I’m Joey from IT.”
I didn’t ask. I don’t respond.
“I must warn you, Mr. Stone, this thing won’t connect to the internet.”
Joey from IT is either a talented actor and playsalong, or he doesn’t recognize a prank unless things are spelled out to him in binary code.
“I love antiquities.” The useless thing stays. Foxy doesn’t score here. “But maybe you can connect my tablet to the internal network?”
“I’ll have to get you a Merged-approved tablet. Confidential information, etc. I’ll clear it with Ms. Moretti.”
Ms. Moretti wants my reaction. Sabotaging me with her childish ideas.
“Thank you, Joey. Plug this beast in, and get me the tablet. I’ll clear it with Roxy.”
I use her first name as if the authorization is a formality.
“I don’t know. She needs to sign off on it.” He speaks with his ass still facing me, huffing under the table.
“She’s very busy. She even forgot to tell you to add a tablet to my”—I point at the computer—“set-up.”
He crawls backward from under the table, and I avert my eyes.
“I don’t want to get into trouble. Though you’re right, she’s been very stressed lately. She even forgot to organize a birthday card for Olivia from accounting. And Ms. Moretti always keeps on top of these things.”
“Her plate is full. Let’s not bother her more.”
“Yeah, she’s invaluable here.” Pink color taints hischeeks. “The bosses make sure she is happy; otherwise they would be lost.” He lifts himself with some effort. “Okay. I’ll be right back.”
He doesn’t bother closing the door as he waddles out of my office. So, Roxy Moretti is indispensable in this company, and respected by partners and by employees. Based on Joey’s protectiveness, people here adore her.
