Page 50 of The Grump I Loathe
“It’ll be so good. I’ve made reservations for two at the Garden. Cool cocktails. Vibes are immaculate. The food is even better.” I messagedAidan the details, catching sight of Max walking by the lounge. “Hey, Max.”
“Hey,” he said, rushing for Connor’s office. He did a doubletake when he saw me and almost tripped over his own feet. I gave him a little wave and barely managed to keep it together when Mr. Cheesers looked like he did the same.
The rat was smarter than some guys I’d met. I returned my attention to Leigh. Her eyes were flitting between me and Mr. Cheesers. She pursed her lips.
“Okay, fine,” she finally relented. “Text me the details.”
“Yes, girl!” I cheered. “Rip off the bandaid.” I dropped my shoulder and stuck my hand in the opening of the cage so Mr. Cheesers could make his way back inside and then gave him a treat or three before returning to my computer, grinning over my good deed. A while later, an email pinged into my inbox from Connor. My heart started racing.
Need you to work late tonight. Juni Protocol stuff.
There were no other details. I frowned as I responded.Sorry, boss. I have plans I can’t break.Alanna’s citywide gymnastics competition was tonight, and I swore on the friendship bracelet she’d made me that I would be there.
I need you tonight,he replied.Nonnegotiable.
I killed the little shiver that shot up my spine at his phrasing. I wasn’t about to cancel my plans for last-minute work, even for a guy that made my heart race uncontrollably. But Ihadgrown quite fond of this job and the paycheck, especially the dent it was making in my student loans. With that ringing in my ears, I opted for a compromise.My plans start at seven, so I can stay for a bit.
No reply. I popped my head over the top of my cubicle to stare in the direction of his office. He stared down at his laptop.Reply, dammit. Why was he ignoring me? I plopped back down and grumbled, my eyes locking on the earbud I’d left on my desk. Maybe it was time for another fun lesson.
I left my desk and logged into the computer attached to the overhead speaker system, setting it to Connor’s playlist just as everyone was gearing up to leave for lunch.
Max laughed, his voice carrying across the floor as he walked toward me. “I’ve definitely heard this playlist before, but somehow, I’m absolutely certain you’re the one responsible for it, not him. I’m right, though, aren’t I? It’s the Lockhart special?”
I grinned. “I’ve been informed it’s Grace’s.”
Max snorted. “Connor’sstillpretending he’s not a Rushie?”
A few people chuckled.
“What is going on?” Connor demanded, throwing his door open. “I’m in the middle of a meeting!”
Everyone fell silent.
I stared him down as Scarlet’s “Sunshine Baby” started. “Office dance party, boss.” I gave him my best shit-eating grin. “It’s good to keep the blood flowing. Improves concentration. Enhances creativity. All those great things.”
Connor clicked his tongue, glowering at me. “Thank you for creating such a positive work environment, Edith. It’ll make it all the more pleasant for you tonight when you stay until the work is done.”
I scowled as he stepped back into his office.Response received.
15
CONNOR
“Are you watching me?” Eddie asked, glaring at me over her shoulder as I sat down in the cubicle across from hers. The rest of the floor had cleared out, leaving the two of us alone.
“After that playlist stunt you pulled? Like a hawk.”
She snorted, turning back around. “I think you should just own the Rushie thing. The first step is admitting you have a problem?—”
I crossed my arms. “It’s Grace’s.”
“Convenient cover,” she said, aggressively clicking her mouse. “I could have done this tomorrow, you know?”
“The level narratives need to be locked before the signoff with the level designers next week,” I said, pulling dates out of thin air.
“Since when did the timeline change?” she asked. “I haven’t received any comms about that. Which makes me think I could have finished thistomorrow.”
She was right. Thiscouldhave been a task for tomorrow because the Juni Protocol was actually ahead of schedule. But when Max hadcome running into my office earlier, claiming that Eddie was going on a date tonight, something inside me had snapped. Now instead of picking Grace up from my mother’s, I was here, trying to come up with a valid reason to stop Eddie from leaving the office to go join her mystery man at seven.
