Page 64 of Company Ink

Adrian: Of course, you took NyQuil at 9 am, why does that not shock me? Is it non drowsy?

Cassie: It's definitely drowsy

Adrian: Good God...ok, I have a meeting now but let me know if you need anything. I'll see you at work later this week?

Cassie: Either that or at my funeral

Adrian: so dramatic... Happy Fourth, Cassie. Feel better

Cassie: Thanks Adrian, take some videos of the fireworks for me :(

Adrian: I will. Take care

Cassie: Byeee

Unable to stop smiling, I drop my phone down on the floor and go back to watching trashy TV. Back to the Future, eh? I'm shooketh.

Evidently, NyQuil on an empty stomach was not a good idea. By 11:30 am, I felt as though I was flying, which was surprisingly apretty good time,but eating seemed like theresponsiblething to do. That being said, UberEats should be here any minute now with my Pho. I'm sure all that salt isn't good for me but screw it, I'm ill, I'll eat whatever I damn well please.

My phone rings,Intercomdisplayed on the screen. "Come on up, apartment 26C," I say quickly and then sluggishly roll off the couch, cocooning myself in the blanket. Ideally, I'll wake up tomorrow as a beautiful, pretty butterfly.

Shit.

I'm still flying.

There's a knock at my front door, I wobble towards it, gripping my blanket so it doesn't fall. I'm a walking burrito!

"Hello, my savior!" I exclaim, flinging the door open. My smile fades into a look of horror, my eyes going round, almost popping out of their sockets. I immediately slam the door. What the fuck is Blake doing here?! Oh my God, Oh my God! Is he here to yell at me some more? Maybe he didn't get a chance to finish his scolding yesterday, I never did see him after I dropped the keys off with Tilly at the front desk.

"Cassie?" he calls out from the hallway. "Is everything alright?"

I lean against the door, my heart beating a little too fast. "You're not Pho Express!" I whimper.

He laughs. "Um...no, I'm not. Were you expecting someone else?"

Hell fucking yeah, I was! "I thought you were UberEats," I say, completely confused. "Why are you here...at my house...in the middle of the day?"

Blake clears his throat. "I'd much rather talk to you face-to-face."

Oh shit. "Are you here to fire me? Couldn't you have just sent an email? I mean, this seems a little harsh."

"Fire you? Why would I fire you?"

I turn around and place my right eye against the peephole. That is Blake, right? I'm not just tripping? "’Cause of your car..." I say slowly, trying to make out the look on his face. He doesn't look angry, if anything, he looks...amused.

Blake rubs his chin. "Can you please let me in, Cassandra?"

I fake a cough. "I'm sick, it's better if we talk like this."

"You're sick?" he asks, sounding almost relieved. "Oh... good."

Good? That's a weird thing to say. "Didn't Nadine email you? I took a sick day."

"Oh," Blake chuckles nervously. "I haven't had a chance to go through all my emails yet."

"Okay, well. Bye!" I exclaim, hoping he'll take the hint and leave.

Blake's silent for several beats. Why is this peephole so dirty?! I feel like I'm wearing swimming goggles! "I'd still like to talk to you about yesterday. Can you please let me in?"

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