Page 26 of Found By Him

My hand clasping my phone drops to my side in disappointment, gaze flicking to the dozen chocolate chip muffins in a container on my kitchen counter. I lift my phone and read the text one more time.

Jack: I’m sorry I can’t pick you up myself this morning. Tyler will be there at 7:30 to take you to work. Do not leave work tonight until someone comes to pick you up.

Uncertainty takes root in my head as I replay the last few interactions with Jack. Maybe he regrets kissing me. Maybe he made the decision that he only wants to help me out of some sort of sense of duty and not because he’s starting to care for me.

When he texted me on Sunday that he would not beable to come over, the same dejection made my heart drop. I decided to channel that into baking. Embarrassment makes my clothes feel itchy on my skin, questioning the decision to make chocolate chip muffins.

And now this.

I blow out a steadying breath as I unlock my phone.

Me: No problem. Thanks for sending Tyler to take me to work.

I drop my phone in my purse and walk into my bedroom to finish getting ready.

When Tyler texts me that he’s arrived, I grab my laptop bag and purse and walk downstairs. A familiar all-black SUV is idling at the sidewalk when I step out of the door. I climb inside and smile in greeting.

“Morning, Ella! I brought you some coffee. There’s some creamer and sugar in the cupholder since I didn’t know what you like.” Tyler gives me a wide grin.

“Thanks, Tyler. I really appreciate it.” Friendly affection toward Tyler starts to push away the disappointment. I still wish Jack was here, but I’m glad it’s Tyler picking me up.

Easy, casual conversation continues until we pull into the parking lot of my work. Tyler stops in front of the door, his face dripping with seriousness. “I don’t know if I’ll be the one to pick you up, but don’t leave until whoever is picking you up texts you that they’re outside. If you need anything in the middle of the day, text me or Jack.”

I bite back a smile. Tyler sounds so much like his cousin, with his bossy, no-nonsense tone. I nod my agreeance. “I won’t.”

Tyler’s grin returns. “Have a good day, Ella.”

I’m refillingmy coffee cup in the breakroom as footsteps interrupt my thoughts. I don’t turn around to look at who it is. I’m not in the mood to socialize. Craig is back at work today and he’s in the worst mood I’ve ever seen him in. It’s barely ten a.m., and I’ve been yelled at no less than seven times.

At least my morning has made me forget all about the disappointment I felt earlier.

The body heat of the person who entered charges my skin as they stop at the counter next to me. I glance over, and my body immediately tenses.

Craig is about an inch away from me. He isn’t looking at me as he grabs a cup off the shelf in front of us, his sleeve brushing my arm. My skin crawls in discomfort. Even if he wasn’t awful all morning, something about his demeanor at this moment is setting off my alarm bells.

“Ella,” he greets quietly.

“Craig.” I try to sound as unaffected as possible, fighting the urge to run out of the breakroom to get far away from him.

He grabs the coffeepot and pours as I add creamer to mine.

When he sets the pot back on the warmer, he inclines his head in my direction. “I’m glad I caught you. I need to talk to you. Are you free in about an hour?”

His tone is eerily calm, which has me gripping my coffee cup tighter. “I’m free. Is there anything specific I need to bring or be prepared to discuss for the meeting?”

Craig shakes his head, narrowing his eyes at me.

“Okay, great. I will see you then.”

Back in my office, I sink into my chair and blow out what I hope is a calming breath.

It doesn’t work.

Only an hour until I find out what I’ll be yelled at about next

Raisingmy hand to knock on Craig’s door, I hesitate.

Sweat prickles my hairline. Craig has never been the nicest person or the best boss, but today has been bizarre. Not knowing whether it has to do with what he saw on my desk on Monday, or if maybe he has something going on with his personal life, has my stomach in knots. I met his son at the Christmas party last year. Maybe something terrible is going on with him.

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