Turning the coffee machine on, I grab the milk out of the fridge and place it on the bench. I lean back onto the counter as I pull my phone out of my pants pocket and begin flipping through my personal email.
“Brooke, how great to see you.” The familiar voice sends shivers up my spine, and not in a good way.
“Hi, Paul,” I say with a tight smile, already planning my escape. I’ve done a good job of avoiding him as much as possible, or just saying a quick hello in passing, since I started working here. He still creeps me out, constantly standing too close and the inappropriate touches. He’s always cornering me in places such as the elevator or staff room and has even caught me a couple of times in the stairwell.
“How have you been?”
“Great, thanks.” My voice is high-pitched, and I hope he can’t hear it. I don’t want him knowing he throws me off balance, or even worse, thinking it’s in a good way.
His eyes rake my body from head to toe. “You’re looking great.” My face turns sour as I throw up a little in my mouth. Thankfully he doesn’t wait for a response. “Saxon’s left for the day, so early day for you, too?”
I frown, not sure what’s he’s insinuating. That I couldn’t possibly work without Saxon because I don’t know what I’m doing? That I wouldn’t want to be here without him? That I wouldn’t cope without him? The gala and Dennis’s comments come flying back at me and I momentarily lose my reserve.
Thinking about what Saxon had said to me that night and the way he looked at me while we danced, I straighten my shoulders and glare at him. “Actually, being the owner, I’ll be working late tonight. I have a huge pile of work on my desk which needs to be done,” I say snarkily. How dare he make me feel less?
Paul smiles. He seems pleased with my response, and I want to ask why but don’t want to stay here any longer.
God. I really, really hate this week.
Just as I move to leave Paul steps to the side, blocking my way. My head whips up towards him, my eyes meet his. What the fuck does he think he’s doing?
“I think Ben was looking for you, Paul.” Bill’s deep voice brings instant relief. How many times am I going to need saving from Paul in this staff room? I make a mental note not to come in here alone anymore. Creeper.
Paul turns towards Bill, snarling at him. “I’m sure he’ll find me here.”
“No, go find him and give me some time with my girl,” Bill says, his tone firm. Paul huffs, turns on his heel and leaves.
I release a breath and smile up at Bill as he makes his way over to me, arms open wide. “How are you, darling girl?” I fall into his arms, and he hugs me tight.
I can’t wrap my arms right around him, but I snuggle into him as hard as I can. “Ughhhh,” I breathe. “It’s been one of those weeks.”
“We all have them.”
I take a deep breath as I relax into him. “I know.”
Placing his large hands on my shoulders, he holds me in front of him. “When is Saxon going to fire that moron?”
“He’s working on it.” I laugh. “He needs the help at the moment, and he also wants to make sure he does it right so he can’t come back for unfair dismissal or anything.”
“It would be worth it to just get rid of him and suffer the consequences later.” Bill’s face is stern.
“Maybe you can bring that up with Saxon next week,” I say with a smile as I pat his chest before moving towards the doorway.
“I think I will,” Bill says thoughtfully, more talking to himself than me.
My shoulders slump as I grab my coffee and exit the staff room. I feel defeated, like I’m losing the battle, except I don’t know what the battle is. I’m lost, and I need some comfort and familiarity.
Sneaking past Harper as she shamelessly flirts with Tate, the coffee-shop guy, I take the stairwell back up to my floor. I grab the key from my desk drawer and head down the hall.
I doubt my decision as I stand in front of Nate’s office door. Is this a good idea? Will it send me back into a tailspin of depression? Pulling up my big girl panties, I unlock the door and slip inside, quietly closing the door behind me.
My feet won’t move. Like being stuck in cement, they refuse to take me forward. Taking a few deep breaths, I move away from the door and walk towards Nate’s office chair. I throw myself into it and close my eyes, breathing short and sharp like I can’t believe I made it across the room.
Nothing is out of place as I glance around the room. Everything sits exactly as Nate would have left it. There’s even still some paperwork in his tray, his spare tie and suit jacket hanging on the back of the door.