Page 22 of Show Me

“This isn’t in alphabetical order.”

I blink. “What?”

“The list.” He braces his hands on his hips. “It should be alphabetical.”

I stare at it. Client numbers. Exactly how it’s always been done. Exactly how he’s always asked for it. “You’ve never asked for it in alphabetical order.”

His eyes narrow. “I’m asking now.”

Why would he want it in alphabetical order? That makes no sense. I press my lips together, flipping the pages like maybe I missed something. I didn’t.

“It’s organized by client number. Like always.”

He leans in, voice dropping enough to make it feel like I’m the one causing a problem. “Then fix it.”

I look up at him. “Now?”

“Yes, now.” Greg straightens the stack of papers on the edge of my desk until every corner lines up.

There’s nothing else to say to that. Because pushing back doesn’t get me anywhere; it never does. “Okay.”

He straightens, satisfied, and taps the stack of papers once more before stepping back. “Let’s stay focused.”

Like I wasn’t. Like I don’t always stay focused. He turns and heads back toward his office.

I stare at the file longer than necessary. Alphabetical. Since when? That’s just…. I shake it off, grabbing a pen and starting to rewrite the list even though I know it’s pointless.

Across the room, Lindsey is still hovering, still talking, and still trying. Xavier is already stepping away again. Not my business. I’ve got work to do. Work I did yesterday.

Footsteps approach the desk. I don’t look up right away.

“Everything okay?”

I do look up then. Xavier. Standing a few feet back from the counter.

“I’m working.” I hold up the file. My voice holding more bite than I intended.

His eyes flick to it. Then back to me. “You seemed irritated by whatever Greg was saying. Was there something wrong?”

“Apparently I alphabetized wrong.”

“What?” His brow pulls.

“We’ve always updated membership information by client number. Now, he wants everything in alphabetical order.” I lift a shoulder. “Which makes no sense and means I have to redo the entire system.” A system that was already in place before I started working here.

“You want me to say something?”

“No.” Too fast. Too sharp. I take a breath. “I’ve got it.”

He studies me. Then nods once. “I know you do.” He glances toward the office. “Greg likes to feel important.”

“Careful.” Greg stands in his office studying me with narrowed eyes. Great. Another reason for him to accuse me of not focusing on my responsibilities. That’s the last thing I need. “He signs my paycheck.”

“Fair.” A pause settles between us. Quieter this time. Less charged. Or maybe I’m better at pretending.

“You heading out?”

“Yeah.” Of course he is. He nods once, already stepping back. “See you around, Ruby.”