Page 11 of Octane

“You’re supposed to look before you pull out of your parking space, you know that, right?”

“I did look. You were far enough away until you laid your foot on the gas like a wannabe race car driver.”

His dig is like a punch in the gut, Daniel’s words from the previous week ringing loudly in my ears. The gleam in this asshole’s eye is menacing. Is he really here just to make my life a living hell?

Deep breaths, Sawyer.

“I have somewhere that I need to be. I can’t be wasting time here, trying to reason with an incompetent asshole.”

“I’mthe incompetent one?” he scoffs. “I’m not the one who doesn’t know how to drive.”

There is something about the look on his face. Like he’s picking his words carefully, knowing which ones will hurt me the most.

Don’t be ridiculous. He doesn’t know anything about you.

“Ahh!” I scream in frustration before getting back into my car.

I pick up my phone and place it in my purse where it won’t fall again. Straightening my car out so it’s facing the right way in the aisle, I catch a glimpse of him in my rearview mirror. He’s laughing at me as if this is a joke, but he’s the only one who’s been let in on the secret.

Narrowing my stare at him, I carefully hit the gas. I turn my eyes to the garage in front of me, paying close attention so I don’t make even more of a fool of myself in front of him. He follows me out of the garage, and I roll my eyes.

“Please go away,” I plead to no one from the comfort of my car.

Finally, he hits the gas and drives around me before cutting me off and making it through the light just before it turns red. Meanwhile, I’m forced to wait, watching as he turns at the next corner and speeds out of sight.

* * *

The Powell Corporation’soffice building is only a few miles from my condo, thankfully. I’ve been sitting in the parking garage for about ten minutes when my phone rings.

“Hey Vic,” I answer.

“Sawyer,” Vic says on the other end of the phone. “I’m pulling into the parking garage now. Are you here yet?”

“Yeah, I’m here—oh, I see you. I’ll be right there.”

I take a deep breath as I end the call and put my phone away.

This is it, Sawyer. The moment you’ve been waiting for. Today could be the first day of the rest of your life.

Grabbing my purse, I step out of my car and meet Vic by his black Silverado.

“Hey,” I greet him as he rounds the back of his truck.

“How’s it going?”

“Not too bad. I had a little quarrel with someone in my building this morning. He almost hit my car in the garage. It’s got me a little flustered which isn’t helping my nerves. Other than that, I’m okay. What about you?”

I hate that I turn into a blithering idiot when I’m nervous.

“I’m fine. Forget about that guy. I have a good feeling about today.”

“Thanks, Vic,” I smile at him.

As we enter the elevator, I try my best to keep both the Penthouse Prick as well as Daniel out of my head. I can’t afford to let their negativity in. This is my dream, and I’ve worked so hard for it. I deserve this. I just hope Jackson Powell and I can forge a happy, advantageous partnership with each other.

We make it to the seventeenth floor where Vic holds the door open for me once again.

“Good morning, how can I help you?” The pretty blonde girl behind the reception desk greets us as we enter.

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