AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m taking a step back from my previous role for a month after hearing many complaints about the office environment. Upper management is doing its best to blend employee happiness and lower operating costs.” That almost sounds plausible.
It doesn’t look like she believes it, though. “Why are you editing a book, then? Don’t you have to do important things like, you know, run the company?”
I shake my head, sticking to my story. “No, my father is taking over my duties for the time being. I want to know what it’s like to be here on the ground floor. Take, for example, these terrible chairs that are definitely getting replaced. I had no idea how uncomfortable they were.”
Seraphina whips around in her seat. I want to ignore her, to focus every bit of my attention on Addison, but I’m stuck in the same cubicle with her for the next month.
“Really? I can walk you through how all the budget…”
I interrupt her. “No. If I’d wanted to hear complaints, I would have put a complaint box outside my office.”
She sits there with her mouth open as though she can’t believe what I just said. I try to soothe the frustration by turning to her. “I need to see it, and maybe in a week or two, I’ll ask around. It’s a hard line to walk trying to balance budget needs with the desires of the employees. That’s why I’m taking an entire month to gather information about it all. Today is my first day, though, so I just want to do my work and go home like everyone else.”
Addison chews her lip, still not believing me. “You’re going to be working in our cubicle every day for a month?”
I nod to her, and she sighs. I hear her mutter, “The things a guy will do for a date…” She turns back to her computer and begins reading the manuscript on her screen, making quick, little notes in red pixels.
Seraphina keeps glancing between us, but when she catches me looking at her, she stands up and puts a smile on her face. “Well, if we’re going to be working together, I should introduce myself. I’m Sera, and I guess you already know Addison.”
I nod to her, taking her hand for a quick shake. “Nice to meet you, Sera. Now, I have to get back to my work. Just like you.”
She takes the warning without complaint, and both of us turn back to our screens. Both Addison and Sera put on headphones, but I don’t have any, since I typically prefer the quiet of my office over music.
The longer I stare at the manuscript, the harder it is to focus, and my attention wanders. What are the odds that I’d end up in the same cubicle as Addison? It feels like there have been so many coincidences that it’s hard to believe it’s even possible.
But it happened. Whether there’s a naked cherub floating around me with a tiny bow or the stars aligned, I don’t know, but I’m quickly realizing that if I don’t pursue this, I’m just being an idiot.
I try to remind myself to focus on the manuscript in front of me, but it’s harder than I expected. Romance isn’t my first choice for books, but I can respect it. It makes up a significant portion of Loughton House’s profit, after all. But focusing on the book isn’t as easy as focusing on earnings reports and launch strategies. It’s slow and steady work rather than big picture thinking. Something I’m not used to.
When Sera breaks the silence in the cubicle after almost an hour, I turn all the way around in my chair. “I’m getting some coffee. Anyone want anything?”
“Coffee would be great,” I say, and as Sera gets up, Addison glances at me, nothing but frustration in her eyes.
“I’m going to wait for lunch,” Addison says.
Sera looks like she’s going to say something, but then she closes her mouth and nods. She throws me a quick smile and walks out of the cubicle.
As soon as she’s gone, Addison turns to me and whispers, “This is stupid. I already told you I didn’t want to go on a date with you. Why do you have to insist on freaking sitting in my cubicle and acting like you’re doing some kind of Secret Boss experiment?”
I shake my head. “I didn’t choose this cubicle. Hell, I didn’t even choose my project. If I had, it definitely wouldn’t be this book. Who the hell would want to read something calledLove Beyond Time? This really is all just coincidence. No different from the motel.”
Addison gapes at me. “You’re editingLove Beyond Timeby freaking Sarah Marshall? I didn’t know Loughton House published Sarah Marshall’s books. I could actually meet her…”
I arch an eyebrow at her. Should I know who that is? She’s obviously not a big name since I work personally with many of them. “That’s the title on the file.”
Addison just sighs and leans back. “One more reason this is stupid, Phillip.” Her words come out nearly silently. They’re just loud enough for me to hear when straining, and I don’t blame her. The entire office is going to be talking about me working in her cubicle.
“I’m not trying to get a goddamned date, Addison. This has absolutely nothing to do with you.”
She snarls and turns back to her computer. “Whatever, boss. I’ll just go back to work before you fire me for refusing to accept your terrible lie.”
“Why won’t you just believe me?”
Addison doesn’t even look at me as she slides her headphones over her ears. That’s when Sera walks back into the cubicle, a smile on her face. “Here you go,” she says, handing me the steaming hot mug of coffee.
I try to smile. I really do, but I’m sure it’s closer to a grimace with the frustration I feel. Faking a smile isn’t something that I’ve ever needed to do. “Thank you,” I say with at least a little gratitude.
Sera nods and goes back to her desk. I do the same, and as I read more ofLove Beyond Time,I try to pay a little more attention to it. I’m still not a fan, but I begin to pick out pieces I think might be the cause of Addison’s enjoyment.
