Page 38 of Grump and Grumpier

It’s clear we’re not in here eating lunch, and we’re not making coffee, like most people do, but there’s no reason he should walk in and immediately be annoyed by our presence. Not that he’s ever needed a reason to be irritated.

“Evelyn’s lunch was stolen, and we’re talking about strategies —”

“Strategies for a stolen lunch?” Now it’s Jansen interrupting me. “How about ordering delivery and getting back to work?”

He’s being rude and unfair, but I’m not in themood to argue, and something tells me now isn’t the time.

“You’re wasting time on petty issues, Ana,” Derek says. “I know you have much more important work to attend to.”

I give him a small nod, and when he and Jansen turn their attention to the coffee machine, Evelyn and I leave. “Sorry about that,” I tell her when we’re out in the hall.

Evelyn shrugs it off. Luckily, she seems to be one of the people who lets the CEOs’ bad attitudes roll off her back, and the two of them should be very grateful, because the woman just might know her way around a glitter bomb.

As I’m packing up to leave at five-thirty, I catch sight of the new dolphin figurine and think back to the curious way my day started. Things have been so busy that I’ve hardly had any time to speculate about the sender of the anonymous gift.

It seems pretty clear after my encounters with Derek and Jansen today that they weren’t the ones who gave it to me. They’re so freaking grouchy. So much for animals softening their hearts.

My top suspect is Owen, based on the looks he gives me sometimes, but I don’t understand why hewouldn’t say anything. He certainly doesn’t seem shy. On the other hand, if it is him, I’m glad hedoesn’tsay anything, because I’m not actually interested in him, even though being attracted to Owen would make much more sense than lusting after Grump and Grumpier.

A handful of people are still working, and I say goodbye on my way out to the lobby. The elevator is there waiting, and I’m eager to end what has turned out to be a long day, but just before the door closes, Derek and Jansen step into the elevator with me.

CHAPTER 30

ANA

“Headed home already?” Derek asks as the doors close.

“I’ve put in over eight hours today.”

“Cleaning the carpet and tracking down lost lunches.” Rather than sounding irritated, I get the distinct impression that he’s just trying to rile me up.

“And what were you two doing all day? Power laps around the office?” Out of the corner of my eye, I spot a tiny smirk curving Derek’s lips.

“What are your plans tonight, Miss Flores?” he asks.

I let out a sigh. “Today was stressful, and I plan to spend the evening indulging in my favorite stress-relief activity, reading.”

“Is thatreallyyourfavoriteform of stress relief?” It’s Jansen piping up now, not exactly being subtle.

“Come have a drink with us,” Derek says as theelevator door opens on the first floor and they gesture for me to exit first.

“Why should I? The two of you and your grouchy moods are a big part ofwhymy day was so stressful.”

“Then we should be the ones to ease your stress,” Jansen says.

“Come down here with us,” Derek says, turning abruptly to the right, rather than exiting the building’s front doors. There are other businesses on the first level, and we pass a few of them before we reach a door at the end of the corridor, where Derek pulls out a key and opens it.

The scent of coffee beans hits my nose as soon as we enter the space, which is only about the size of one of their offices. One wall is lined with shelves, about a third of that filled with bags of their product.

“I didn’t know this was here.”

“It’s just an overflow space,” Derek explains. “We’re planning to phase it out.” There are other boxes on the shelves too, of miscellaneous things the retail shops must use.

For a moment, I wonder if they brought me in here for some work-related purpose, but then Jansen closes the door behind us and clicks the lock. The action is an instant aphrodisiac, though I was already plenty turned on during our elevator ride, despite the way these men acted today.

“What kind of book will you be reading tonight?”Derek asks, walking toward me and backing me up against the wall.

My breath catches as his hand grazes my hip. “Romance.”

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