Page 18 of Dear Grumpy Boss

Another laugh. “It’s going to take time. Contrary to what Elliot believes, he doesn’t actually control every element of the universe. This is something that has to work itself out.”

That answer was unacceptable, but Elise was laughing, so I wouldn’t argue with her. Laughter was a lot better than the flat nothing she’d been giving me.

“Renata tells me you go by Lise now.”

Again, her pink lips parted. Was I that shocking?

“Yes. Most people call me that. Elliot refuses to change, which isn’t surprising, knowing him. Elise or Lise is fine.”

“No Ellie?”

Her eyes met mine. There was something there, beneath the surface, but she blinked, and it was gone before I could catch it.

“No. You were the only one who called me that, you know. I haven’t gone by that since high school.”

She pushed back her chair and gathered the remnants of her sandwich. “Thank you for taking the time out of your day to check on me. You can tell Elliot you did your duty and I’m fine.”

I stood too, perplexed at the sudden ending of our lunch. Granted, it hadn’t been the most comfortable time of my life, but I hadn’t been ready for it to end.

“I told you, Elise, it wasn’t my duty. Iwantedto have lunch with you.”

She tucked her thick hair behind her ear. “That was very nice of you, Weston. I appreciate it. I have a lot to get done today, so I’ll just—”

I held my arm out. “Of course.” She passed me, and I followed her out of the break area. She glanced over her shoulder at me.

“You’re coming with me?”

“I’m escorting you to your desk.”

“Oh.” Turning around, she wobbled on her booted feet, righted herself, and marched the rest of the way to her desk. Then she swiveled around, her cheeks flushed. “Here we are.”

“Yes.” I picked up her pink headphones. “These are cute.”

She took them from me, holding them against her middle. Her shoulder lifted. “I like them.”

“Pink’s still your favorite color?”

Her chest rose as she sucked in a breath. “I guess it is since I keep buying pink things. I’m surprised you remember that.”

“I haven’t forgotten a thing about you Elli—Elise.”

She glanced at her desk. “Well, thank you for lunch. I should get back to work.”

I tucked my hands in my pockets, rocking back on my heels. “I should too. Renata’s probably seconds away from sending out a search party.”

Given I was ten minutes late for a meeting and had been ignoring Renata’s calls, it wasn’t an exaggeration.

“I’ll see you around, Weston.” Elise sat down at her desk, her hand going to her mouse to turn on her computer. “Thanks again.”

Dismissed.

Just like that, Elise ended our encounter.

I had a thousand things to do before I went home for the night. I should have been relieved our lunch had been brief and my promise had been fulfilled. But as I rode the elevator up to my floor, Elise’s admission of unhappiness clung to my mind.

Problems were like puzzles to me. I had to solve them before I could relax.

If Elise Levy wasn’t happy, I would find a way to make her so.

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