Page 22 of Fangs with Benefits

I inhale and rise from my desk. It’s too early to take my lunch, but I need some air, so I grab my phone before excusing myself from the group surrounding my cubicle.

As the elevator doors slide shut, I let my shoulders deflate and rub the back of my neck. Before they can close completely, though, a hand reaches through the crack, and the doors slide back open. I blink up at Elijah, whose concerned eyes are directly on mine.

He steps into the elevator next to me, both of our backs to the wall, and we’re silent as the doors shut. I scan my badge and click the button for the top floor. There’s a roof patio with some lunch tables and some plants.

‘What floor?’ I ask.

‘Oh, um…’ Elijah runs a palm over his hair, the reason it always looks artfully messy. ‘Same as you.’

‘Why are you following me?’ I ask as the metal box slides up the building.

‘Was worried I overstepped. I wanted to apologise.’ ‘No need.’ I shrug. ‘Was fine advice.’

The elevator stops, letting in a group of five, and Elijah steps closer to make room for them. I pretend that him standing so near doesn’t make me tense and aware of every place on my body where we might touch. He pisses me off. Looking at him inspires images that embarrass me–like in the kitchen last Friday when he was being insanely annoying but standing close enough that it would’ve taken nothing to close the distance between us and press my lips against his, which look soft and plump. All of him looks smooth, like I might find the world’s nicest skin if he held my hand in his.

Okay, see, what the fuck is wrong with me?

I squeeze my eyes shut for a second to clear the unbidden horny ass thoughts for the tall man who is quite literally my corporate enemy. He’s done nothing but make my job harder for the last three weeks; I can’t count the number of things he’s messed up that I’ve had to fix behind him. And yet, everyone is obsessed with him. It’s like he’s got the whole of Drummond under some sort of spell that possesses them to be friendly to IT employees who mess their laptops up worse. I can barely get people to say thank you when I fix their stupid problems, but Elijah waltzes in, breaks their shit, calls me to help him, and they act like he’s the paragon of technical support and genius.

Sure, he’s hot, but good looks and a friendly desk-side manner doesn’t absolve incompetence. What am I missing?

The group of five steps off on one of the big boardroom floors, and as soon as they do, Elijah returns to his spot a polite distance away from me, which makes me feel at least like I can breathe easier.

It’s a silent ride to the top floor, and when we get there, Elijah follows me down the hall to one of the roof’s access doors. He hesitates, peering out the window, but ultimately pushes through the door at my side.

It’s overcast today, another gloomy Wednesday, with grey clouds thick and heavy overhead. I wish our department wasn’t in the basement. I love when it rains so hard that the windows shake with it. It’s my favourite kind of day, though always better enjoyed at home in sweatpants instead of these slacks which have gotten a little too tight on my thighs lately.

‘I’ve never been up here,’ Elijah remarks as we come to stand under an awning near the edge where we can look out at the city with its varying heights and architecture. I imagine the thousands of people living their own little lives inside each of the buildings, and I wish every one of them well.

I wonder if Elijah feels as small in this city as I do, if he also moved here looking for home only to find loneliness, abandoned dreams, and the best bagels he’s ever tasted.

‘Should’ve warned you that you’d need your hat,’ I say of the black cap he’s worn every day.

Elijah gives a tense chuckle–he’s embarrassed, I think.

‘I burn easily,’ Elijah says by way of explanation. He lifts his arm like the three inches of silky pale forearm I can see proves his point. To be fair, it does help; his skin looks exceptionally sensitive. ‘Your birthday is soon?’

‘Yeah.’ I sigh. I used to love my birthday and all the celebrating that came with it. Now, though, it feels like a reminder of how far I am from where I thought I’d be when I moved here. I was so naive, and so very hopeful; I had these epic dreams of being a full-time writer, one who wins international awards and keynotes conferences. I miss that version of myself, the bright-eyed girl who wanted to do what she loved.

If you aren’t chasing what your heart desires most, you ought to get started.

I clear my throat and cross my arms. ‘It’s the first week of November. If Devi starts trying to plan a surprise party, tell me immediately.’

I say this last part all intense and commanding, like he did last week when asking me about the VPN. His eyes light up at the idea, a grin taking over his face as he looks down at me. ‘I haven’t been to a surprise party in years.’

‘I’ll pour coffee on your laptop if you let mine be the first.’

Elijah holds a hand over his heart. ‘You have my word.

Though all bets are off if she mentions karaoke.’

I laugh, surprising us both. Elijah looks pleased.

‘How will you celebrate?’

I shrug. ‘Go see a musical. Get three orders of crab ran-goons after. The usual.’

‘The usual,’ he agrees. ‘Is your family here to celebrate with you?’