Page 35 of Devour

I ride the elevator up to my office on the third floor. I’ve been here for three years and still not sure if it’s the right place for me. I love the work, but I’m convinced my boss is evil. Not bad or mean – she’s toxic. Evelyn Bowman is the coldest person I’ve ever met, but she’s successful and brilliant. The woman doesn’t seem human. Her ethereal beauty and elegance is a lethal combination with her intelligence and sharp tongue. Working for her has been a dream, but sometimes a nightmare. There’s no denying that working here has opened a lot of doors and given me a wealth of knowledge. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from my older co-worker, Kane Bradley, who’s only a step below Miss Bowman in prestigious accomplishments. He’s the sweetest man and has been incredibly patient with me. I won’t deny I’ve had a tiny crush on him. He’s about ten years my senior and single. Problem is That he’s never once seemed the slightest bit interested in me that way. I’m but a little bird he’s taken under his wing.

The elevator doors slide open, revealing Miss Bowman standing by my cubicle with Kane. With my heart in my throat, I hurry over to them. Lifting a trembling hand, I wave. “Good morning.”

She looks powerful and…unhappy. “You’re late. Do you think that entails a ‘good’ morning?”

“No, Miss Bowman.” I don’t consider five minutes early to be late, but who I am to argue? I stand tall while she glares at me with a look of disappointment across her stunning statuesque face.

She places her manicured hand on my desk and her long nails rattle as they drum along. “You agree then? That you’re late?”

What game is she playing? I just want to get to work and away from her piercing grim reaper eyes. I swear if you stare into them too long, she sucks your soul out of your body.

“I was trying to be on time but maybe I need to be here fifteen minutes early rather than five.”

A cruel smirk tugs at her lips. Without taking her eyes off me, she speaks to Kane. “I told you she’s not ready. You’ve been soft with her. That’s not doing her any favors.” She turns her cold eyes to look at Kane’s handsome face that looks at me full of sympathy. “Bigger clients have bigger egos. They’re fucking sharks. Your pet can’t even argue when she’s in the right.” Evelyn turns back to me and in a firm voice demands, “Toughen up. Politely correcting me that you are in fact on time wouldn’t have been disrespectful. What you did was. You didn’t show either one of us a shred of respect by rolling over. That was a test, and you failed.” She stands tall and looks between Kane and me. “Have a good morning.”

It's not until she completely crosses the room and closes her office door that I feel like I can breathe. “What the hell was that?”

“That was my fault.” Kane rubs the back of his neck. “I suggested you were ready to take on bigger events. I didn’t expect her to walk out here immediately and sideswipe you.”

“It’s okay.” I pull myself together. I look Kane in the eyes, steeling my voice I speak with confidence. “And I guess she’s right. If I can’t speak up about something as silly as the time, how am I going to deal with the stress and demands of high-profile clients.”

Despite the rocky start to my morning, I was able to jump in and spend the day bouncing from client to client, building relationships and creating the perfect outlines for their events. What I lack in being confrontational in person, I more than make up for in my professionalism and enthusiasm for executing a client’s dream. I’m finding my place in the public relations and events world, even if this may not be my forever company. Whatever the case, I’m thankful for this opportunity.

“Hey. It’s an hour past lunch. I don’t need you fainting on me.” Kane’s deep voice breaks me out of my focus on my computer.

“Sorry. I was on a roll with this sweet sixteen party. Her party is going to cost more than I make in a year.” Not being able to resist my excitement, I do a happy spin in my chair as I squeal, “But it’s going to be so epic!”

“Sounds like you’re really having fun.”

“I am. I think I might be enjoying spending her daddy’s money more than she is. Musicians’ kids are always the most fun to plan parties for.”

“Come on. Let’s go grab lunch.”

I release a huff of annoyance. “Fine.”

As we walk across the street, alarm bells are ringing in my ears. The sensation of being followed has goosebumps breaking out over my skin. Luckily, I’m not alone this time. Kane isn’t massive, but I feel like he could be scrappy in a fight. At thevery least two against one is better odds than one on one or one of us could get away and call for help while God knows what is happening to the other one.

We enter the BBQ diner and walk up to place our orders for sandwiches. As we wait, Kane bobs his head to the blues music playing, completely oblivious to my uneasiness. Someone is following me. I scan the place for a familiar face or anyone who looks suspicious, but come up empty. Kane accepts the bag from the employee and then places his hand on my back to gently guide me out of the building.

“You know you can do it, right?” He speaks over the traffic noise.

“What?”

“Handle the bigger clients. It’s Evelyn, isn’t it? I don’t think you’d cower or crumble under the pressure of high-profile clients. You’re just a nervous nelly around her.”

I snort. “I’m not a nervous nelly!”

He throws his head back and laughs. “Oh, but you are!”

Right then my phone dings. I ignore it until we’re waiting for the elevator.

UNKNOWN: Either you remove his hand from your back, or I remove it from his arm.

What the hell?On instinct, I step away from Kane’s touch. His brows furrow. “You okay? What’s wrong?”

I knew I was being stalked; the question now is if I should share this information. No good can come from dragging Kane into it. He’d be useless anyways. I need to get to the police station and file a report now that I have evidence. “A family emergency. Go ahead up without me. I have to take a call.”

The police station isn’t that far. I have time to hurry down there and file my report before my lunch break is over. Besides, the fear that’s slicing through me has me incapable of managing anything else until this is settled. My heels clack loudly againstthe floor as I hurry back outside. My phone dings immediately as soon as the door closes behind me.

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