Page 29 of The Revenge Agenda

“I can’t believe my boss has seen me with my bits out.”

“Definitely not what I was focused on that night.”

I go to take a step when Hunter stops me again.

“Rush.” He nudges the pot on his desk. “I’m not keeping this.”

My jaw drops. “Well, I can’t take it.”

“Why not?”

“That thing is way too pornographic for the bullpen. If people find out my boss gave me booty plants, they might start asking questions.”

He actually face-palms.

I take that as my cue to run.

Chapter 9

Hunter

Rush’s desk is in my direct line of sight. I don’t think that’s an accident.

While I’m sure it was great for everyone who came before me, for me, it’s a fucking nightmare. Every time I glance up from my desk, I see him—or don’t see him, more often than not. Rush makes me exhausted just looking at him. He’s either pulled someone into a conversation, is up pacing around while he talks on his phone, sitting backward in his desk chair with posture that is anything but ergonomic, or disappears across the office altogether.

He’s so distracting that at this rate, I’m going to be the one who doesn’t get through his work.

I make a concentrated effort not to watch.

Autumn knocks on the door. “Were you ready for me?”

“Sure am.” I point to the chair. “I wanted to catch up with everyone. Hopefully get your thoughts on a few things.”

“Like what?” she asks curiously, pulling out the chair that Rush was draped over earlier.

“Work. How are you liking it here?”

Her angular face twitches. “It’s … good.”

“You’re not being tested. I assume you don’t hate it since you’re still here, but if there’s anything that’d make you enjoy it more, I’m all ears.”

“Really?” Autumn visibly perks up. “Well … I mean …”

“Just say it.”

“It would be cool to decorate for the holidays.”

“Which ones?”

“Any? All?” Autumn thinks for a moment. “I really love Halloween. I dress up every year, but no one else does, so then I end up feeling like an idiot. All I want is to get excited and hand out candy, but people look at me like I’m nuts. Really puts a damper on things.”

“Well, I’m not making any promises, obviously, but I like that idea.” Especially because things like that are a good way to get the team involved. Maybe even have a few teams come together. Boost morale. “Anything else?”

“It would be fun to raise money for charities too. Have some in-house initiatives. Like a bake sale …” The more Autumn talks, the more she lights up, and I find I’m smiling as well. She’s younger than everyone else here, only early twenties, but it’s clear she’s excited to have been asked. People like Autumn are what every team needs.

“You have good ideas.”

“I spend a lot of time watching videos online,” she says matter-of-factly.

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