Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“Then let’s split a baguffin each morning.” He pierced me with those green eyes. A thrill bubbled in my chest.
Stop that.
He disappeared back into the bathroom. “Pick a new flavor each morning. Let’s see if you can bring back some more of this excitement to my breakfast.”
I beamed with pride. “Okay.”
“Come on.” Lucy seized my hand and led me out of the office. “Wow. I thought you messed up, but you did great. Good idea with the new choices. Bad idea, of course, with insulting Bag and Brew.”
“Yes. That was rather embarrassing.”
We walked down a path outlined by rows of desks. Lucy continued to hold my hand, which felt awkward. I kept my hand limp in her grip.
Employees filled each desk. Some studied their computer or files. Others rushed to switch off their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Whispers lingered near areas with two or more people.
They studied me and continued their hushed conversation. I didn’t know if it was because I was the new girl or that I was the new black girl. I shook the thought away.
Stop that.
I had a tendency to be insecure when it came to race, always wondering if people were judging me based on bad stereotypes and if I was confirming those stereotypes.
“Ignore them.” Lucy made a mocking face at one woman pointing at us. “Lots of gossip happens on this level. I’ve asked Chase to move to the highest level where he can have an empty floor, but he refuses.”
“It sounds boring. He probably loves the noise and movement on this level.”
Lucy paused and gazed at me with a grin. “He actually said something like that. You’re perfect.”
Alrighty. She gets really excited about the simplest things.
Once we stepped on the elevator I had to ask, “So . . . does he always wear a towel to morning meetings?”
“Mostly. There’s a boxing gym on the third floor. He comes in early, punches things, then takes a shower in his office bathroom.”
Hopefully, I’ll start to find him unattractive when he’s half naked. Maybe like if a person eats lobster every day, and then after two months of nothing but lobster they crave a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
“Are you okay with Chase being in a towel?” She watched me. “I could tell him to stop.”
“No way.” I gritted my teeth as the elevator doors opened to the fourth floor. The last thing I needed was for him to know I couldn’t deal with him half naked in front of me. “It’s perfectly okay.”
“It’s also a nice view.” Lucy walked off.
We rounded a corner on the right. Two offices with all glass walls greeted us. Thick smoke drifted from one of them. The aroma held a pungent edge to it, but still I found it somewhat calming.
“What’s up with the smoke coming out of that office?” I pointed to it.
“Sorry. The smoky office is yours.” Lucy twisted her lips to the side. “I burned some sage in it to drive out evil spirits.”
What the hell?
I tapped my right foot. “So. . .are they all gone?”
“Well, I don’t know if any were really there, but just in case.”
“Do you usually burn sage for new assistants?”
“No. I didn’t for the others.” She directed her attention to her toes. “Maybe I should have.”
A few seconds of silence traveled between us. I decided to interrupt the unease. “I’m going to go in there and start cutting a hole in this stack of work.”
“Oh sure. Let me know if you need help.”
“I will.” Smiling, I entered my office and swatted the lingering cloud of smoke away.
My office. I have an office I can call mine.
I would’ve screamed, but I feared Lucy would rush in wielding a sword of burning sage. Nevertheless, a girlish scream swirled in my core and begged to be released. I held it in and danced in my mind.
“Everything okay?” Lucy peeked in, startling me. “You’re standing there wiggling your head.”
“Oh. I do that sometimes. I’m fine.” Damn these glass walls. “I’m just excited about having a new office.”
“Well good. You’ll let me know if anything is wrong, right? You can tell me anything. I’ll help out with whatever is going on.”
“Yes.”
Goodness, she’s really attentive.
Lucy escaped into her office.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
I set the files on my polished mahogany desk. A periwinkle and chocolate swivel chair rested behind it.
My office.
I went giddy with excitement.
My phone buzzed again.
I yanked it out and checked it.
Vivian had texted message.
Vivian: Are you dead yet?
Me: No, asshole. I am very much alive.
Vivian: How’s the job? Any murder suspects?
Me: Fine and not funny!
Vivian: Good.
Me: Boss gave me orders in a towel!
Vivian: Hot?
Me: Scorching!
Vivian: But he didn’t harass you again, right?
Me: Right.
Vivian: Troy’s cooking shrimp and grits for dinner. He wants to know what time you’ll be home.
The tower of files cast a shadow on my desk.