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I laugh again.
“What the hell is so funny?”
“None of your business.” I put my phone face-down on the table.
“I pay you to work, not fuck around—”
“No, you’reforcingme to work. I don’t want to be here.Youthreatened to take away any chance of getting another job if I didn’t.” He reaches for my hand, and I pull away. “You don’t get to do that either. If you cross the line in any way, Iwillgo to HR. I’ll tell everyone how you came on to me, and that it was not mutual.” His hand freezes. His desk phone rings. “Your eight o’clock call is early.” I stand and grab my phone.
“Fay—”
“If you don’t like it, fire me.” I leave his office, feeling like maybe I won a little, but my chest quickly deflates. This isn’t how I wanted it to be. I hurry to the bathroom and shut myself in a stall, willing my heartbeat to slow and fighting not to cry. I want to go back in there and yell at him. Make him tell me why. I do breathing exercises and counting techniques Mindy taught me from a stupid Google search and pull myself together. When I get back to my desk, my email notification dings.
From: [email protected]
Subject: 10 am meeting
You will be attending this meeting. I expect you to study the report and take notes.
Theo Monroe
CEO, Monroe Investment Corp
From: [email protected]
Subject: 10 am meeting
Fay Evans
Executive Assistant to Theo Monroe
God, I hate him. He doesn’t reply, and I’m glad. His call runs late, so he’s still preoccupied when his ten o’clock clients arrive. I greet them and walk them into the conference room. I may hate Theo, but his clients didn’t do anything wrong, so I have a box of pastries on the table again.
“Please, enjoy a pastry while you wait.”
They take a seat and dive into the goodies. I smile at the groans. I’m going to miss that local bakery. I walk around the table, handing each gentleman a report and making small talk. There’s a younger guy at the end, and when I give him the report, he stalls, looking up at me.
“Hey, not to overstep, but I swear I’ve seen you before.”
“Hmmm. . . not sure. I haven’t been with Mr. Monroe very long.” Theo finally makes his entrance.
The guy smiles at me. “Well, I’m new too. Interning. And I can’t pinpoint where, but I swear we’ve met—wait! I know. Bev’s. You bartend there, right?”
I return his smile, fighting a blush. “Yeah. On the weekends mainly.”
“I knew it. I have to say, you’re a great bartender. We’re always there on Fridays. Any chance you’re working this weekend?”
“I am.” Knowing Theo is in earshot, I reply. “You should come by. First drink’s on me.”
“For sure. Maybe after the meeting, I can get your number?”
“Miss Evans, do you mind if we start the meeting now?” Theo growls.
