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I choked, spraying coffee all over my computer keyboard.
“Olivia!” I roared. “What the fuck?”
She high-fived Eddie, both of them with smug smiles on their faces, and sauntered over to me. Bending down, she whispered in my ear.
“Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it?”
I gripped her wrist and tugged her down into my lap.
“That wasn’t very nice, Olivia,” I growled, grabbing a tissue and wiping the coffee from around my mouth. “What did you put in it?”
“Just a few sachets of salt.” She shrugged, looking far too pleased with herself. “You deserved it.”
“I deserved it, huh?” I murmured, losing my train of thought as Olivia stared into my eyes, her vanilla scent surrounding me.
She leaned forward, brushing her lips against mine.
“Feel less angry now?” She smirked.
“No, not yet. You’d better kiss me again.”
She obliged, kissing me briefly. “I wish we could kiss the way I want to kiss you, but it’s not appropriate in the office,” she whispered against my lips.
Climbing off my lap she turned to walk away, but I held on to her wrist.
May as well ask her now.
“Hey, wait a minute, Liv. Since you’re here, I wanted to ask you something.”
“What?”
“Are you free on Saturday?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I know this isn’t part of our arrangement, but I thought we should go on a date, if you’re up for it. I’ll message you with the time and place once I’ve worked out the details, okay?”
“Okay.” She smiled shyly, studying me from beneath her long lashes, her eyes sparkling with excitement and happiness. Idiot. I should have asked her sooner. How long had she been waiting for me to ask?
I’d make it a date she’d never forget.
As I watched her walk back to her desk, a bounce in her step, I couldn’t help the grin that was forming on my lips. This woman was a walking contradiction. All fire and tease one minute, and innocent shyness the next. There was no one else on this earth like Olivia Payne.
I got up and made myself a fresh coffee, smiling to myself. And I may have whistled—under my breath so Olivia wouldn’t hear me.
Back at my desk, I became engrossed in my tasks once again. I’d just picked up my phone to call a client, when Ethan came striding in. He clapped his hands, the sound echoing around the room.
“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?”
Heads shot up from behind computer screens, everyone focusing on Ethan.
“Okay, I’m going to make this quick. I’ve been informed that Barrett London has been nominated for Best Ad Campaign at this year’s prestigious Digital Marketing Awards.” A huge grin spread across his face, and the office erupted into cheers at the news.
“Calm down, calm down.” He laughed, clapping his hands again for silence. “There will be an awards dinner, which every member of Barrett London is invited to attend. Delia will email the details to everyone.” Glancing around the room, he smiled. “Back to work, everyone. I’m proud of you all for playing a part in making this happen.”
After that moment of excitement, the day dragged on. Engrossed in setting up an account for a new client, I realised I hadn’t heard from Olivia for a little while. We’d normally message each other throughout the day via the office messenger app, but she hadn’t responded to the last message I’d sent her two hours earlier. I saved my work, then stood, walking over to her bank of desks.
“Ed? Where’s Liv?”
