But the message wasn’t from her. It was fromAngie.
Just wanted to let you know I still think about you from time to time. I’m sure you’re in the arms of some other girl, but I want you to know what we had was special, and I’ll always treasure it in myheart.
Brock groaned in dismay, regret punching him yetagain.
About a year before, he and Angie had somehow fallen into bed, in spite of his no office flings rule. No denying she was a beautiful woman, and that was what he blamed it on. That and his total lack of self-control around the oppositesex.
Just like with every other woman, he’d told Angie his intentions, and to his surprise, she had accepted that and even still chosen to keep her job, even after he got bored and ended things a few days in. Perhaps she’d thought seeing her every day would change Brock’s mind about her and they would get together again, or perhaps she really did like working at his company thatmuch.
Whatever the reason, he rather wished that she would just give up on him. Nothing was ever going to happen between them again. He’d made that clear. Probably cruelly clear, but better that than lying. Why couldn’t she moveon?
Brock threw his phone onto the nightstand in frustration, then rolled over the other way, closing his eyes and wishing forsleep.
Chapter5
“Done and done!” Erica said with triumph in her voice. She set the files down on the desk and pushed them over to Brock, who looked up at her with the familiar mischievous look he so oftengave.
She felt her cheeks flush and instantly wished that they would not, knowing that he could tell every time they did. She didn’t like feeling vulnerable around Brock. There was something about him that was so intimidating, she felt that he could see right through her most of thetime.
“And that’s why you’re my favorite assistant,” he said as he scooped up the papers and patted them into a neatpile.
“I’m your only assistant,” Erica pointed out wryly, finally at the point where she could be around the ridiculously good-looking guy and at least hold a conversation, even if half the time it still ended in her blushing andstammering.
“If I had 10, you’d still be my favorite,” Brock replied, winking, and that sent Erica into full meltdown, so she hurried made her way back to the mainoffice.
Angie turned away as Erica walked out. The woman had apparently taken a dislike to her that just wouldn’t quit. Thankfully, Erica was past the training stage, so they didn’t have extended interactions anylonger.
“Having fun?” Angie asked, not turningaround.
“What?”
“I heard you giggling in there like a schoolgirl. I just wondered if you and your employer are having fun.” Angie’s tone was flat and her voice was dry, but for some reason her words made Erica’s blood run cold. Though she sensed that there were always going to be problems between them, she didn’t know why Angie was deciding to pick a fight with her rightnow.
“I wouldn’t call it giggling like a schoolgirl, but yes, I do enjoy working here, thanks for asking,” she said. Erica had learned that the best way to deal with Angie was to answer her attitude and move on with her own day, trying to ignore her the best shecould.
“I just hope you understand that you have to be professional at work. I would hate for you to get hurt,” Angie said with the same dry tone asbefore.
“What are you suggesting?” Erica’s eyesnarrowed.
“All I’m saying is that there is work etiquette and there is flirtation, and you, my friend, are walking pretty close to the line.” Angiesaid.
Erica opened her mouth to protest, then snapped it shut. What was the point? It was probably blatantly obvious that she was attracted to Brock. No denying that. But she hadn’t done anything wrong, so Angie could just think whatevershe—
“Look, you’re young,” Angie interrupted her whirling thoughts. “I’ll give you that. So I’m just telling you this because I don’t want to see you get hurt. I’ve seen the way Brock has been with other girls, and I know that you are excited and this is all so fresh and new, but I’m warning you, it’s not going to last.” She turned to answer thephone.
In spite of her resolution to keep quiet, Erica opened her mouth to retort, and then her own phone beeped. She glanced at the screen andsmiled.
“Is that Brock?” Angie asked, and Erica gave her alook.
“Mind your own business,” she replied. She lifted the phone to her ear and retreated to a quiet part of the office where she could hear the person on the other end of theline.
“Yes, this is Erica. Yes. What? Really? No, definitely, I’m just really surprised. No, this isn’t my first place, but I didn’t know that they would take someone without more renting experience. I’ll be down there as soon as I get off work today. Yes, thankyou!”
Erica hung up the phone and looked over her shoulder. Angie was watching her, but she didn’t say anything. Erica quickly looked back to her phone and slipped it into herpurse.
She had just heard that she had gotten the apartment she had applied for a few weeks prior. It was ridiculously nice, and not cheap, but she could afford it on her salary. The one problem was whether they’d believe that she could make her rent, given that her bank account was still more empty than it was full. Apparently, they’d checked her references and decided she was a safe bet for atenant!
She had to get down there to sign some paperwork, and they were going to close shortly after she got off work—so she would have to ask Brock if she could leaveearly.
