Page 73 of Friend Me

When the elevator doors opened on the sixth floor, I smoothed my skirt and sailed out. I grabbed my laptop from my desk, but before I could make it into Jackson’s office, my boss sauntered out into the hallway.

“Coop! Sorry we didn’t meet up yesterday. Alicia and I were jet-lagged and fell asleep on the couch.” What started out in a handshake turned into a hug and a back-slap.

When they disengaged, Cooper’s hand rested on Jackson’s arm for just a minute before he shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. His smile looked strained now. Maybe the past three weeks had been more stressful on him than he’d let on.

“I—I’d like you to meet my new assistant, Ben Levy-Walters.”

“You have a new assistant?” Jackson’s posture straightened, and he extended a hand to Ben. “Welcome aboard. Everything okay so far? This guy”—he jerked his thumb at Cooper—“hasn’t been too hard on you, has he?”

“No, not at all,” Ben said, his voice low and smooth. “Cooper took me to lunch. And everyone’s been great today, especially Marlee.”

Normally, I would’ve loved the praise, but when their eyes all turned to me, I wanted to cover up my rumpled blouse and wind-tangled hair. I gave Jackson a wobbly smile and said, “Ready to tackle your email?”

Jackson took a deep breath and let it out in a huff. “Marlee, you’re such a taskmaster.” He smiled at Ben. “Nice meeting you, Ben. Let me know if I can do anything to help.” He turned to Cooper. “Come over for dinner tonight. I’ll grill some steaks and we can catch up.” Then he gestured toward the open door of his office. “After you, Marlee.”

I hugged my laptop to my chest and walked into the safety of Jackson’s office. Jackson snapped the door closed.

“So, Marlee,” he said, grinning mischievously, “what’d I miss?”

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