Page 10 of Secretary Crush
“All right, thanks.” I reach out and take it, admiring her handwriting. It’s neat and curvy, feminine and beautiful.
She grabs her purse and pulls it onto her shoulder. “See you bright and early tomorrow,” she says, opening the door and walking out.
Suddenly, it feels like she’s taken all the oxygen in the room with her. My skin flashes with heat, and sweat beads up. Why is it so damn hot in here? I look around, finding the ceiling fan already on. There’s a small desk fan, and I reach for it, hitting the button to turn it on. The plastic blades begin to spin, but it’s not enough that I can even feel the air on my face. I can’t believe she’s worked in here all day with this little airflow. The garage is hot as hell, but at least there is airflow with the bay doors open and the big industrial fans going.
I get up and grab my list, knowing what I have to do.
7
ELLA
It’s finally Friday, and I’m wrapping up my first full week of work. Somehow, I managed to completely clean the office and finish all the filing. The little drink station is all cleaned up and ready too. I swapped out the old coffee pot for a new single-cup machine, so everyone makes their own cup, and nobody can be blamed for leaving it on. Next to the coffee maker is a stand for all the coffee pods, and there’s a case for creamers and sugars. The mini fridge is stocked with bottles of water and a variety of sodas. Cabinets along the top and bottom of the drink station hold all the dry goods for the garage, such as paper towels, shop towels, toilet paper, cups, plates, and promotional items.
A small sitting area in the front of the office allows the guys to rest if they want to take a break and eat lunch or enjoy a drink. But the best thing to come out of this week is that Hudson bought and installed a window air-conditioning unit. The office is now a crisp seventy degrees, and I’ve been having a hard time keeping the guys out of here.
Tony walks in and goes straight to the coffee machine. He looks at it and then over to me. “Can you show me how to use this thing?”
I laugh and walk over to help. “You fill your cup at the water jug, and you put your water here. Then you select your pod, and it goes here. Put your cup under the spout, pull this little lever down, and voilà. Coffee.”
“Thank you,” Tony says, having a seat at the table while he waits for his coffee to finish.
I return to my seat at my desk. Several of the guys dropped off their parts list, and I want to give it my full attention so I don’t order the wrong part.
“What made you want to work in a motorcycle garage anyway? You don’t fit the type.”
I look up at him with an amused smile and a lift of my brow. “The type?”
“Yeah, you know. Most of the women who hang around here are bleached blond. They have huge knockers and usually dress head to toe in leather and heels so pointy they can take your eye out if they decide to hit you with them.”
I laugh at his description. “I needed a job,” I say, but it sounds more like a question as I shrug one shoulder.
He nods. “I guess that makes sense. Are you planning on sticking around, or is this a placeholder until you can find a job you really want?”
“I plan on sticking around. I mean, if that’s okay with you,” I tease. He’s nosier than the boss is.
He shows me his palms. “It’s okay with me. I mean, look around. You’ve been here a total of one week, and we now have fresh coffee and a cooled office to relax in. You’ve already made this place better.”
I laugh, and the door opens, Hudson walking in. He looks from me to Tony. “Don’t you have work to do?”
Tony nods toward the coffee machine. “Just making a cup of coffee, boss.” He stands and goes over to the machine, then takes his time pouring sugar and creamer into his cup and stirring. Hudson watches him the entire time. When Tony turns around, he’s surprised to find us both looking at him. “I better get back to work,” he says awkwardly, heading toward the door Hudson is blocking.
Hudson has his arms crossed over his chest, and he’s not stepping out of his way. He levels his eyes on Tony. “Stop coming in here when it’s not time for a break just because you want to sit in the air and chat with the pretty office girl,” he tells him.
Hearing him call me pretty makes my cheeks flush with heat. Does he really think I’m pretty, or is he just saying it because he thinks Tony thinks I’m pretty?
Tony shakes his head. “I’m in here for the fresh coffee and cool air only, boss.”
“Mm-hmm,” Hudson says, stepping to the side and letting him pass. When Tony is gone, Hudson shuts the door before sitting at the chair across from me. “I’m sorry if these guys are bothering you or keeping you from your work.”
“No, not at all,” I tell him just as the door opens.
Marvin sticks his head into the office. “Hey, Ella?”
“Yes?” I ask, turning away from Hudson and looking toward the door.
“Can you call Beth and let her know I’ll be late tonight? This bike isn’t making things easy.”
“Sure,” I reply, already reaching for the Rolodex.
