Page 3 of I Won't Be In On Monday

“That sounds like a plan. Do you want to play Scrabble and then go for a walk in the park?” he asks, and I smile into the phone. My dad loves to play Scrabble, and almost every time we hang out, this is our regular routine. You would think I'd get bored of it, but I still enjoy spending time with my father. Maybe it's because I don't actually have a boyfriend to do anything else with. I do hang out with my girlfriends, but most of them are now in relationships and don’t have as much time.

"I'll come over tomorrow around noon," I say.

"Sounds good. I can't wait to see you, Juniper."

"I can't wait to see you, too, Dad. Love you."

"Love you more."

We hang up the phone, and I sit back and peek back into Remy's office. He's typing something, looking serious, and I try not to stare at him too long. The fact of the matter is I have a little crush on Remington Parker. I shouldn't because he doesn'tknow I exist, other than as his assistant, but I do. There's just something about the way that he carries himself and the way that he laughs that always makes my heart pitter-patter. I close down my laptop, grab my handbag, and stand up. I walk over to the door and give it a light tap and open it when Remy nods. "I’m off now," I say. "Nothing else you want me to do before I go?"

"I don't suppose you..." He pauses. “No, I’m good. Thank you for all that you do, Juniper.” He grins, and I frown at him in surprise. This was the first time he'd ever thanked me for anything.

"Are you okay?" I ask, and he looks at me in surprise now.

"Yeah. Why are you asking?"

"Because you've never thanked me for the work that I do, and..."

"Oh, I know, but I was just thinking to myself that I'm very lucky to have been blessed with an assistant like you. Someone that comes in, does her work, doesn't chitchat, doesn't waste time, and doesn't flirt or try and get me into bed. You don't make the job awkward. I wanted you to know that I appreciate that, Juniper. It's not often that one finds an assistant as capable as you are."

"Well, thank you, sir," I say. Though, I can't say that I'm actually happy about his comments. Who wants to be referred to as capable? I'd much rather be referred to as sexy or beautiful, but obviously, Remington does not feel that way about me. "Okay, well, I'm off now," I say. "Have a great evening."

"You, too." He grins, but the smile drops immediately as he looks back down at his laptop. I watch his face pale as I walk out the door, but I don’t say anything. I head to the elevator and ignore my worry for Remy. I need to concentrate on my own feelings of inadequacy working for the man.

I hate being invisible. I hate being the woman no one notices. I hate that I have no love. I pick up my phone and call Lila. She answers on the second ring.

"Hey, what's up? You're not there already, are you? I'm so sorry. I'm running a little bit late. Max got me..." She pauses. "Sorry. Are you there yet?"

"No, I'm just leaving the office now."

"Oh, perfect. It will take you, what? Fifteen minutes to get there?"

"Yeah. It's a fifteen-minute walk for me to get to the bar."

"Cool. I should be there in twenty minutes. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be late."

"It's okay. I'll get us a table. Text me what you want to drink and if you want any appetizers, and I’ll order those, as well."

"You're the best, Juniper.”

"You think so?" I say, laughing slightly, ready for a night of fun.

"Yeah. Everything okay?"

"So, you know how you and Skye keep offering to give me a makeover, but it hasn't really happened yet?"

"Yeah, of course.”

"Can we make it happen soon?"

"You want to do it tonight?" she asks excitedly. "We don't have to go to the bar. I can have you come over and..."

"Maybe not tonight," I say quickly. "I'm not prepared for tonight, but maybe next week."

"Okay, we can do it tomorrow if you want."

"I would, but I already promised my dad that I would go over to play Scrabble, and we'll probably eat leftover lasagna," I say, and she laughs.

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