I stumble forward, inadvertently dropping my lunch to the floor—but thankfully, I’m able to steady myself before I join it. Of course, the sandwich slips out of the paper bag and lands face down on the dirty break room floor. Ruined.
Another round of giggles breaks out over my shoulder, and I whip around to shoot Tricia a glare. “You did that on purpose.”
Tricia shrugs nonchalantly, staring into her compact as she drags a painted finger along her lip line. “Don’t be so dramatic, Grace.” Her gaze cuts to me, giving me a once-over and scoffing before returning to her mirror. “Besides, you could skip a meal or two. I’d say your clumsiness did you a favor.”
Her comment sends the group into a fit of obnoxious laughter, the sound digging beneath my skin and filling my head with heated pressure.The absolutenerveof this bitch.
I sidle over to Tricia with a sugar-sweet smile, giving her zero indication of my next move. I stop directly in front of her, staringunblinking as I stick my pointer finger in my mouth, coating it with saliva.
Then I shove it into Tricia’s yogurt.
Horrified gasps ring out all around me, but I’m too busy enjoying Tricia’s expression to notice.
“What thefuck,Grace?”
“Don’t be dramatic, Tricia.” I shrug nonchalantly, much like she had done earlier. “You think you’re better than me because you can squeeze into a smaller pair of jeans?Bite me.On the inside, you’re rotten. And you don’t need a mirror to seethat.”
Tricia raises her hand like she’s about to strike me, but I see it coming. I snag her wrist midair, holding her back easily as I fix her with a haughty expression. On the inside, I’m screaming, hardly able to believe those defense classes I paid for over the years actually came in handy.
“Are you done now?” I ask, knowing she has no more moves to play.
Tricia stands there for a few moments, her face pinched like she smells something rotten. “Whatever. I don’t have time to deal with this now.”
She rips her hand away and stalks out of the break room, her heels clacking steadily as she heads back to her cubicle. Her minions stare after her for several moments before collecting themselves and hurrying after her, assuring her of their support and attempting to make her feel better for the embarrassing situation.
After making a coffee, I head back to my cubicle, unable to wipe the grin from my face. Normally, I wouldn’t do something so reckless, butdamndid it feel good to stand up to Tricia. She’s been giving me shit ever since I began working at this company, and it’s relieving to finally do something to get back at her.
Something that could get me in serious trouble.
My smile fades, and a lump forms in my throat as I sit down in my office chair. I stare straight ahead at my computer screen, the weight of my actions bearing down on me in full. If Tricia runs to a superior with the complaint that I maliciously ruined her lunch, I’ll get in serious trouble. Hell, if she spins the story the right way, she might even be able to get me fired.
I groan, laying my head onto my hands.You really fucked it up this time, Grace.
“Taking a nap, are we, Grace?”
“Ms. Novak!” I do my best to smooth my hair back as I turn to her with a forced smile. “Of course not. I was just… taking a moment before getting back to work on the monthly spreadsheets.”
“Relax, Grace.” She laughs easily. “I know it’s your lunch break. You’re not in trouble.”
“Of course.” I release an awkward chuckle, smoothing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Anything I can do for you?”
“Actually, yes.” She gestures over her shoulder. “This is Archer Graves, our new COO. I wanted to introduce you two. Archer, this is Grace Kent, our head financial analyst. ”
For the first time, I move my gaze from Ms. Novak to the stranger standing behind her, and my breath catches in my chest.
He’s… beautiful.
Mr. Graves looks young—maybe mid-thirties. Much younger than any of the other people in charge here. And he's also incredibly handsome. He towers over me at well over six feet with broad shoulders and arms that seem to have a hard time fitting into his suit. His face looks like it was carved from stone—a square, clean-shaven jaw, full, kissable lips, and the most striking pair of eyes I’ve ever seen. Not brown or red, but something in between.Like the color of dried blood.
“I… thought he wasn’t supposed to start until next week?” I stumble with the first question that comes to mind, too enamored by Mr. Graves to think of anything more impressive.
Ms. Novak grins knowingly, seeming to find humor at the sight of the blush spreading across my face.Perhaps I’m not the first person to be caught off guard by Mr. Graves’s good looks.
I’m not sure if that makes me feel better or worse.
“Mr. Graves was not supposed to arrive until next week, but his travel plans got mixed up,” Ms. Novak explains. “But he’s in Moriton now, and ready to get started. We’re happy to have him early.”
“That’s… great.” No matter how I try, I’m unable to think of a more coherent response. “Really cool.”
