Page 31 of Crash

“I’d love to, but she invited me to her place for lunch. Zoey just can’t get enough.” I choose to ignore Vivienne’s snort and Sandy’s shocked face.

“Vivienne, I’ll show you around before you head up to HR.”

CHAPTER 14

VIVI

As great as lunch with Sandy and Jake was, the downside was that I could not drink. Right now, I’d really like some liquid courage as I approach Luke’s door. I stand up straight, square my shoulders, and knock with a confidence I do not feel. Without waiting for him to tell me to come in, I push the door open. He’s sitting behind his desk. I’m relieved he’s not wearing blue today, but he looks as good in gray as he does in blue. He was texting and as soon as he sees me, he sets the phone down.

I approach his desk, my heart in my throat.

He’s not making this easy on me. He doesn’t say a word. Instead, his eyes bore into me. I glance around his small office. Unlike Jake’s office, Luke’s office is void of any personal items.

“Listen, Luke,” I begin after clearing my throat.

“Mr. Clark,” he says.

“What?”

“Call me Mr. Clark. I’m your boss.”

As if I need to be reminded. “Everyone here calls you Luke. I haven’t heard anyone call you Mr. Clark at all.”

“You’re not everyone.” I close my eyes and count to ten, wishing I could just walk out of his office, but I need a job. Despite him, my first day here has been great. Colleen has shown me what I need to know in reception, and Juan is showing me around the mailroom.

“Okay, Mr. Clark,” I say, patting myself on the back for the lack of sarcasm, “I’d like to offer you a truce. I know you hate me, and you don’t want me here, but I didn’t set out to get a job at your family’s company. However, it’s a great opportunity and I already love it. Can we start over, please?”

He stares at me, and I don’t flinch from his stare; in fact, I don’t look away. The blood pounds in my ears as he continues to look into my eyes. His eyes finally leave mine and make their way to my lips. He looks back into my eyes and his gaze softens. He even smiles.

The moment is broken by the loud ringing of my phone.

“Shit,” I mutter as I take it out of the pocket of my blazer. In my haste to shut off the ringer, the phone slips from my fingers and lands on the carpeted floor by his feet. He picks it up and hands it to me as Blake’s name flashes across the screen. I reject the call, shut off the ringer, and slide the phone back into my pocket.

The hostility I now see in his eyes makes me think I imagined the softness in his features just mere seconds ago.

“I never said I hated you. You’re the one who hates me.”

I almost ask him what he’s talking about, but I remember my words just a minute ago.

“Well, don’t you?” I ask, frustrated by his response.

He leans back in the chair and looks at me from head to toe.

“No, I don’t. Why would I waste my time hating someone who doesn’t matter? Someone so insignificant?”

I consider the source of the words, but they still get under my skin. “Insignificant?” I ask. “That sounds pretty hateful to me.”

He stands up from his chair, his large frame nearly filling the small space.

“I don’t care enough about you to hate you, Vivienne. Why would I spend my energy hating you? You were given a job you’re not qualified for and you report to me. I have all the power here. If you want to hate me, go ahead. Your hatred of me is as irrelevant as you are.” He walks right past me, towards his door. He opens it, but turns back to me, his hand holding on to the doorknob. “In case you haven’t noticed, this is a place of work. Shut off your damn cell phone. You and your gay boyfriend can talk on your time, not on mine.” He slams the door behind him, leaving me standing in the middle of his office, stunned by this turn of events.

CHAPTER 15

VIVI

“Are you sure you’re okay, sweetie? You hardly ate anything,” Sandy says.

Thankfully my back is turned to her as I wipe down the counter.

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