Page 10 of Entice

Crystal’s BS radar hit max at his comment. She opened her mouth, but Kendra beat her to the punch.

“Excuse me, Mr. Johnson, but you’re being deliberately rude. I believe you owe everyone an apology.” Kendra put her hands on her hips.

He glared at them and pointed to Crystal. “Keep your nose out of something that isn’t your business.” Then he pointed between Valerie and Kendra. “And I’ll be sure to talk to Jordan about you two.” He turned and marched down the hallway.

“Go ahead,” Kendra snapped after him. A minute later, an office door slammed shut.

Crystal sighed and looked at Valerie. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. A little shaken up is all.”

“Sorry you had to experience Johnson on your first day,” Kendra said to Crystal.

“You can’t help he’s an ass. I’ve worked with his type before.”

Kendra smiled. “Valerie, why don’t you take a break and have the service handle any calls for right now.”

“Okay.” Valerie pressed several buttons on the phone. “I think I’ll walk down to Carson’s. Can I get you anything?”

“I’m good,” Kendra said.

“Carson’s?”

“Small coffee shop,” Valerie said.

“May I walk with you? I was coming to ask you if there was someplace around here,” Crystal said. She was glad Kendra was giving Valerie a break. Showed she was a good and compassionate office manager.

“Sure.” Valerie grabbed her purse.

Kendra waved them off as they walked to the elevator.

“So where did you work before here?” Crystal asked as they walked down the street. One would never know yesterday had been cold and blustery. Today the sun was out, and while there was a chill in the air, it wasn’t freezing. “Receptionist at the gym.”

“Totally different worlds.” Crystal knew how hard it could be. She’d been so out of her depth with her first job. Luckily she had a boss who took pity on her and put her into a better position. “How long have you been at the firm?”

“A little over a year.” They reached a small coffee shop and walked in. By the time they got back to the office, they were chatting like old friends.

When they made their way to the reception desk, they noticed a tall, blond man standing there. “Oh please, don’t tell me Johnson ran off another receptionist?”

“Ummm, no.” Crystal said. “I’m Crystal Hayden, Mr. Frost’s paralegal.” She held out her hand.

“Martin Anderson.” He took her hand.

“Mr. Anderson.” Crystal smiled. Now this man was cordial.

“Martin, please.”

“Martin.”

Valerie took her seat behind reception. “Don’t let Johnson get to you,” he said to Valerie.

Crystal blinked. “How did you know?”

“He’s a pain. Even though you don’t work for him, he’ll do his best to trip you up.” With that, he turned and walked down the hallway.

Interesting dynamic. Johnson was a jerk; Anderson seemed nice. And Jordan was… Crystal shook her head. No, she wouldn’t think of Jordan as a potential romantic interest. “Lunch at one?” Crystal asked.

“Yes, sounds good,” Valerie replied, and Crystal left the reception desk.

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