Page 30 of The Relationship Clause

I roll my eyes but can’t help looking back at the scene unfolding beyond my windows. It’s a scene that repeats itself every morning around this time, and one that makes me more and more upset.

Junie, of course, is popular around the office. This isn’t a bad thing. It’s good, in fact. I’m well aware that the more people like her, the more likely she’ll find out something about the office mole. Like I told Shane, it’s literally the biggest reason I hired her.

Unfortunately, she seems to be extra popular with the single men in the office.

Currently, there are three of them circled around her, hanging on her every word. She’s no doubt telling them some funny anecdote from her morning. It’s a disgusting use of company time. Why get to the office early if you’re going to waste it socializing?

One of the guys, Wyatt, reaches out and picks something off of Junie’s shoulder. I have the sudden urge to go out there and yell at them all until they slink back to their desks.

It’s a totally unreasonable response, but I feel it all the same, and my therapist says I shouldn’t suppress my feelings, so maybe I should—

Kiera clears her throat.

“Oh, shut up,” I grunt, turning back to my computer. I’m being ridiculous.

Kiera steps closer to me. “What were you even looking—Oh, I see.”

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be?” I snap, hating that she caught me. The unmistakable sound of Junie’s laughter filters in through my doorway, and it only makes me scowl harder. This, in combination with the article I showed Shane, is making my grumpy side show.

Actually, it’s probably mostly the article and the mole stuff. That’s the real reason I’m so upset here. My therapist would say I’m misplacing my feelings and all that. I’m stressed, not jealous. Probably.

“No.” Kiera settles into one of the empty chairs and rests her chin in her hand. “I still have a whole five minutes before the work day officially starts. So…you want to talk about it?”

“Talk about what?”

“About what’s got your panties all in a twist.”

I make a face at her choice of words. “No. I definitely don’t.”

“Why don’t you ask her out?”

“Who?”

“Junie. You’re obviously attracted to her. I could set you two up if you want.”

My face feels like it’s as red as my tie. Kiera has taken it upon herself lately to play matchmaker around the office. It’s been working out so far with the couples she’s set up, but the last thing I need is Kiera thinking she should intervene in my love life. Especially with Junie. My very off-limits employee.

“I am not attracted to her, and your meddling is in no way necessary.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“I’m not. She’s my secretary. End of story.”

Not only that, but she’s a freaking good secretary. Efficient, hard working, detail-oriented, and it’s not only her secretarial skills that are amazing.

She’s been here two weeks—two weeks!—and I hate to admit it, but I already notice a difference in the atmosphere of the office. It’s nothing I can definitively name or quantify, but it’s there nonetheless and, other than the change in the single men, it’s definitely positive.

Even if I did like Junie in that way, I couldn’t put all that in jeopardy for some silly feelings. Especially considering the fact that she’s hoping to make this more of a permanent position.

Maybe if she were planning on leaving after three months, I would consider…

No. No. Not even then.

Even if I did want to put myself above her career aspirations—which I don’t—eventually, she’d come to resent me for the time I put in at work. Or she’d get on her own career path and we’d hardly ever see each other. Maybe some people can make their careers work with relationships, but in my world, it would only end in disaster. My parents proved that.

“Fine, whatever you say.” My sister stands up and starts back toward the door. It’s a wise move, considering I’m about to blow my top and possibly fire her. “Are you going to actually drink the coffee Junie brings you today?”

“What?”

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