Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 159208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
Hmm. I check the time.
I’m not late. He couldn’t have left for a meeting already?
Since when is Mr. Stick-Up-the-Ass late?
Whatever. I’m better off not having to deal with him.
I set his breakfast down on my desk, power up my laptop, and clock in.
Hours pass before I look up and notice he still hasn’t arrived.
Weird. I guess Shrek needed an extra day in the swamp to yell at somebody else.
My desk is in front of Linc’s office, and we’re secluded from most of the company. He likes it this way. He has fewer interruptions and more quiet, orderly space. But it’s extra lonely over here today.
A few other C-level employees have offices near us, but they rarely poke their heads out. The CFO, an older man named Reed, flies past. He’s oh-so-careful to keep his eyes focused straight ahead so he doesn’t make eye contact with me.
By early afternoon, I’ve cleaned out the executive Inbox, which was oddly lighter than usual, and caught up on ad work.
With Lincoln out today, there’s technically no one to assist in my EA role and I can’t stand it here any longer.
So I pack up my laptop and head down to the main floor where the copywriters work. That has to be better. But even down here, people look away as I pass them.
Nice. Avoid eye contact with the freak who seduced the boss but couldn’t keep him around.
She’s a plague rat. Her drama might be contagious.
My stomach tries crawling up into my chest.
Why did I think I was brave enough for this again? Anna would’ve given me as much time off as I needed.
After a painfully long walk around the building, I sit down at my old desk beside Cheryl.
“Dakota? Welcome back. I didn’t expect to see you back for a while.” She flashes a friendly smile.
I don’t know what to say, so I keep my mouth shut.
“How is Mr. Burns?” she ventures.
“I wouldn’t know,” I bite off too harshly.
“Oh.” Her face falls and she nods. “I hope everything’s okay. He’s hardly been back to work since the day your ex showed up. He came in very briefly the next day but ducked out fast, I heard. Everybody’s freaking out about it because Burns never leaves early. And it’s been years since he missed a single day of work...”
That does raise my eyebrows.
Is it possible the asshat feels a little guilty, but he’s too proud to say sorry like a normal human being?
I mean, he did save my life, right before he stabbed me through the heart in a way Jay couldn’t.
“Eh, I don’t know. He probably hoped the drama would die down while he was out,” I say. “Laying low makes a lot of sense.”
Will I ever learn? I will always attract guys who can’t get their shit together—not even when they’re billionaires. And I fall for them every time like the gullible, moonstruck romantic I am.
There’s a tap on my shoulder, and I turn to see Anna.
“Hello, hello. Do you have a minute to talk to me in my office?”
I nod and follow her.
She motions to a chair across from her desk and I fall into it.
What now?
If she’s brought me here for a pep talk, I’m not interested, even if she means well.
“I’m proud of you for coming back,” she starts, glancing up at me with her head low.
Is she really? If I had an employee in this mess, I might hope they’d stay away and save everyone the awkwardness. But I know that’s my anxiety talking.
“You’re a talented writer, and we can’t afford to lose you. I just called you in to let you know we’re behind you all the way. The whole marketing team and especially me. Whatever you need to make this easier, just ask. You want to work from home? Good. You want a private office? Also cool. I’ll be personally reviewing your copy before passing it on, so if he has a problem with anything, he can take it up with me directly.”
I nod, more than a little stunned at her support.
“I’m grateful. Thank you.” I plant my feet on the ground and I’m about to stand, hoping that’s it.
But, of course, it never is.
Anna puts up a hand, urging me to stay. “Wait. That was my little support talk as your boss.”
“There’s more?” I ask quietly.
“Dakota, as your friend, that was such a shit move he pulled.” She goes quiet for a moment and her face stiffens. “Honestly, I’m still floored by it. I’ve never seen him lose control like that. To be fair, he had to wrestle a guy with a knife, but it was way out of character.”
“Yeah, I was there,” I say, trying not to sound bitchy.
“I think he cares about you...but rejecting you in front of an audience like that was a low blow. I hope he comes to you on his hands and knees before you ever speak to him again.” She gives me a menacing look.