Page 10 of Romance with Mr. Bossy Pants

“What’s inside? Welcome snacks? With a side of tequila, I hope,” I tease with a wink.

He chuckles. “Nah. There’s this Thai place just around the corner.”

“Aww, that’s very thoughtful of you. Thanks, Alex.”

“You’re welcome. On a serious note, though. How are you settling in?”

I point to the workload on my desk. “What do you think?”

“I figured. If you can meet his high standards, then you’ll be the one that makes it.”

“Why does it feel like you have doubts?”

“Would you believe me if I say I don’t?”

“Right now, I don’t know what to believe. But know this, Alex. I will definitely give it everything I got.”

“That’s all you need to give.” He turns his gaze toward the sheets of paper on my desk. “How much is left?”

“I just have a few charts to create and then review every single page, word for word, image by image. Then I have to drop it off at Daniel’s. It would be much easier to email him, but he insisted on me dropping the physical copies off, as if he can’t print them at home or something.”

“Sounds like you got your work cut out for you,” he says. “Good thing you’ll have company until you’re done.”

“You’re kidding, right? This will easily take another hour.”

“All good. I bought us dinner to help ease some of that stress.”

In the end, we’re both wrong. The rest of the job takes up to two more grueling hours, and there he sits, directly across from me, engaged in a discussion about the company while generously offering suggestions and ideas.

By the time I’m done, it’s almost 7:45 PM, the harsh glare of the lights casting an unforgiving glow over the office. The exhaustion I’d been pushing aside finally hits me like a ton of bricks.

“Thanks, Alex,” I say, standing up from my rather cushy swivel chair. I’m sure that was purposely by design to keep the Assistants comfortable for long periods of time. “I really appreciate your company. You made my first day more bearable.”

“Glad I could help,” he grins. “You’ll get the hang of this in no time. Just steer clear of the big guy’s mood swings.”

I roll my eyes. “Isn’t that the truth.”

We walk out of the office building together, and the silence outside is a welcome change from the constant office hum.

“So,” Alex says. “Home, finally, huh?”

“Daniel’s home,” I respond. “Remember?”

“Oh! You were serious about that?”

“Yeah.”

“Wow. Well, good luck with that. I guess it’s goodnight here then.”

“Yeah, goodnight. See you tomorrow.”

I pull out my phone and request an Uber.

Here goes nothing.

As the driver pulls into a quiet suburban street, my heart begins to race.

My phone dings. It’s a text from Amber reading, ‘What’s up? Are you on your way yet?’

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