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An hour later, Oliviawalked into the office with her headache down from torturous to merely nagging. She still hadn’t been able to eat anything, between the hangover and the guilt. Hopefully after she talked to James again, she’d be able to hold down some breakfast.
“Morning, MaryAnn.”
MaryAnn looked up from her computer, and for once she didn’t look like a deer caught in the headlights. As soon as she spotted Olivia, her smile turned sympathetic. But there was something in her eyes, something almost gleeful, that told Olivia the sympathy wasn’t all that genuine.
“Morning, Mrs. Monroe. How are you feeling?” The fake sympathy dripped from the receptionist’s voice.
Olivia hoped the shock she felt down to her toes didn’t show on her face. “What?” Had James told the whole office why she was late?
“Mr. Monroe said you’d be late because you weren’t feeling well. Can I get you anything?”
“No,” Olivia snapped, then forced a smile to soften the waspish tone. “Thanks, but I’m fine. Is James in?”
“He’s on a conference call at the moment. Would you like me to tag him when he’s done?”
“No, that’s okay, I’ll catch up with him later.”
Bummed she’d have to wait even longer to make amends, Olivia walked past his closed door to her office. Needing the solitude, she closed her own door and booted up her laptop.
God, her head ached. As much as she hated coffee, it might be her only hope. In the meantime, she grabbed another bottle of water from the mini fridge in her office and chugged while her computer started up.
Her emails, thankfully, were light. But one from James caught her attention immediately.
Liv,
Let’s schedule a sit down with the Jacksons so we can figure out a game plan. I’m available this afternoon.
James
She scrolled down, and her blood began to boil. How dare they go around her and directly to James! And implyingshewas the problem? Fingers trembling, she hit reply.
James,
These are the assholes I was telling you about who won’t listen to a word I say. You’re welcome to them.
Olivia
It was petty, but she felt a smug sense of satisfaction at signing her full name. He’d get the message she wasn’t just pissed at the client. He could have come to her instead of just taking the reins and pandering to their whining. Just because he was put out with her didn’t give him the right to be a dick to her professionally.
Seconds later, a chat window appeared on her screen, and it was only her sense of righteous indignation that kept her from crawling under the desk at the command.
My office. Now.
Head high, she shoved back from the desk and walked down the short hall to his office. She opened his door, but when she spotted the furious look on his face, she nearly slammed it shut again and ran.
“Close the door,” he snapped.
“I know you’re upset,” she began, closing the door behind her.
“Upset? I’m not upset. I’m fucking livid. How could you be so stupid?”
The words stopped her cold. He’d never, in ten years together, called her stupid. “What?”
“The email you just sent me. Do you not understand the difference between ‘reply’ and ‘reply all,’ Olivia?”
The room spun and she had to grip his desk for support. “What?”
James turned his laptop so she could see the screen. Right there, in black and white, was the email she’d sent him. With the client clearly listed as a recipient.
