Page 21 of Keep Your Friends Close and Your… Work Enemy Closer?

"Yes, I read it," I said, turning to him once more.

And this time, he whirled his chair around to face me. "Well?" he prompted.

"Well, it was fine. Thank you."

He snorted. "You're welcome. And it was better than fine. Admit it, Dee."

This man was insufferable. Usually, I was the first one to pass out compliments. Someone got a haircut? "You look stunning." A co-worker had new shoes? "I love those so much." Or someone got a big book deal? "Congrats! You deserve every accolade in the world!"

But complimenting Jared? It tasted like acid on my tongue.

"It was a little better than fine," I admitted through gritted teeth.

Jared laughed his head off, and I turned back to my computer, disgusted, annoyed, and more than a little bit hangry. Despite what it said on my protein bar, that it could fill you up and replace a meal, it hadn't. Not in the slightest.

"Be right back," Jared suddenly said.

Finally, a fucking minute of peace. I thought about ordering food, but then, I'd feel obligated to get something for Jared, and the last thing in this world I wanted to do was break bread with the man.

So ignoring my rumbling stomach, I got to work on the proposal, using Jared's write-up to assist me, crafting an overview detailing what I hoped the book could become. Tryingto think of some title possibilities, I stared off into the distance, the sound of the elevator capturing my attention.

I hadn't noticed Jared actually leaving, but I certainly couldn't miss him coming back in, arms loaded down with two huge bags. Grinning, he placed one on my desk. "I figured you might be hungry," he said.

The smell wafting from the bag made my mouth water, and despite my reluctance, I couldn't help but appreciate the gesture. "What is it?"

"Thai food."

One of my favorites. Had he known or was it a lucky guess? "Thai food?"

"Yup. And don't worry. I got Pad Thai for you."

"How did you know that's what I like?"

He shrugged. "Doesn't everyone?"

Maybe he had a point, but there was still something suspicious about it. Instead of questioning him further, I listened to my growling stomach and started unpacking the food, the aroma alone like a gift from heaven.

I opened up the Pad Thai first, taking a few bites and holding back my moan of ecstasy as Jared watched me. "Where is this from?" I asked.

"A little place I know," he said, suddenly turning away to grab his own food.

Why was he acting weird? "Well, what's it called?"

"I can't remember."

"You can't remember? But you literally just got the food from them."

"I wasn't really paying attention," Jared said, rubbing the back of his neck. "You know, something with lotus or bamboo in the name. Honestly, I'm the worst with remembering names. Maybe it was Lotus Bamboo or Bamboo Lotus or—"

"Okay. I get it."

If there was one thing Jared was good at, it was belaboring a point. Ignoring him, I turned back to my food to find another container of green curry filled with pieces of chicken and bamboo shoots plus a side of rice. And then yet another container withspring rolls, crisp and golden, paired with a sweet chili dipping sauce.

Everything was extraordinary. Like beyond good. It was the kind of perfection you'd expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant, with flavors that lingered long after each bite.

"Well, if you remember the name of the restaurant, will you please tell me?"

"Sure thing, baby," he said with his signature cocky grin.

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