Page 14 of Holiday Hook-Up
Subject: Re: Lunch
Ms. Handler,
So sorry about that guy. I gave him your message and a stern talking to.
Best,
Logan Connor
Professional Asshole
Ipacedthebreakroom,forcing myself to breathe. This was fine. I could do this. My limbs felt like bricks as I held my phone up and read his last text to me. To say I was shocked he’d invited me to lunch was an understatement. Wasn’t our working relationship going to be awkward enough from a distance?
I needed to be professional. My internship was riding on Gary’s performance review, so I couldn’t let him know that anything was going on between Logan and I. A bout of nausea churned my stomach and my breakfast threatened to come back up.
It was clear that Logan didn’t want me anyway. So really, I had nothing to worry about. Why would a millionaire executive want me?
“You’re incredible, Emerald. So beautiful.”
He said all the right things last night, and I wanted him. I didn’t regret a thing, even if it meant the next two weeks would be like doing a hot coal walk in front of all my coworkers.
With his calendar open, I sat in the squeaky chair and looked it over. Other than some video calls and a few scheduled meetings at The Dream, whatever that was, his agenda was fairly clear for the holiday. I noticed there weren’t any travel details either, not until January 6th. Maybe he wasn’t flying home to a family for Christmas like I’d previously thought. It was nothing, anyway. I didn’t need to know his personal life. Anything beyond scheduling a car service and making sure he got to his appointments on time didn’t matter.
Gary came into the break room, humming yet another Christmas carol. “I’m getting ready to head out. Visiting with my Nana for the holiday.”
I nodded. “Sounds nice.”
“Yuppers. She’s my one and only lady, at least for now. Maybe Santa will grant my wish this year and send me a wife soon.” I winced and fiddled with my phone. Talk about TMI. Clearing his throat, he added, “Anywho, why don’t you set yourself up in the empty office next to Paula. Your shift is covered for the remainder of Mr. Connor’s stay.”
“Really?” My own office would be amazing. Even if it was temporary, it felt like a huge leap.
“Of course. Making sure Mr. Connor’s needs are met is priority one.” He poured some coffee into his Santa head-shaped mug and dumped 10 packets of sugar into it. “Come to think of it… why don’t you set up camp in one of the empty rooms on the third floor? If I’m not mistaken, the adjoining room to his suite is vacant since maintenance is in the middle of making some repairs. That way you’re available for him 24/7.”
“No, I couldn’t.” Before I could think, the words came pouring out faster than Gary’s hot coffee. “That would be too much. Think of the missed income from the room.”
Gary made a clicking sound with his tongue as he added a splash of milk to his mug. The look on his face told me he wasn’t going to budge. My skin heated despite the chill in the room. There was no way I could stay right next door to Logan Connor for two weeks, especially in an adjoining room!
“Don’t worry about that. It’s perfect. You can be right there if he needs anything. We can’t book the room anyway, not until they fix the minor issues.”
Crap. I needed to get out of this but swaying Gary’s mind took finesse that I didn’t have this morning. “Well, I wouldn’t want to be in maintenance’s way.”
“Nonsense. They only need to make minor repairs… a leaky faucet and such. I think the heater was making some sort of clicking noises the other day. Nothing that would make the room unsuitable for you. They’ll pop in there when you’re working to fix things.”
He clapped his hands together and smiled a wide Cheshire Cat grin. I was screwed.
AfterIsetupa car service for Logan for his time here in Greyridge, I spent the rest of the morning getting myself set up in my new office space. With a few personal belongings, this place could feel like my own. Plus, Paula wasn’t a bad person to share an office with. She was sweet and caring, even if she loved to gossip. I could use an insider’s ear on the hotel’s buzz anyway. On top of that, being back here would keep me away from Darius. He rarely had any reason to come in this direction unless someone called in a maintenance request.
I found a box of decorations from the party last night pushed behind Paula’s desk and took it upon myself to pilfer through it. If I had to work through the holidays I figured I may as well make my office festive.
I hung a strand of white lights above my desk with some thumb tacks and set one of the fragrant evergreen centerpieces next to my computer monitor. It wasn’t much, but it helped settle my nerves.
I’d been so caught up in decorating that when my alarm went off to meet Logan in the lobby, I jumped. So much for settled nerves.
I grabbed my phone and opened the camera to fix my lipstick before tossing the items I’d need for the day into my purse. Coat in hand, I gave myself a last minute inner pep talk.You’re a bad bitch. Professional as fuck. You got this.Of course, the moment I stepped into the lobby and saw Logan Connor’s hungry, dark gaze fixated on me my inner monologue caught an icy breeze and flew right out the damn door.
“Hungry?” he asked once I was in talking distance.
“A little. I had some cereal at my apartment this morning.” Why did I tell him I had cereal? It made me sound like a child. I could imagine him picturing me with a bowl of Lucky Charms and a glass of milk. That cereal was still rolling in my stomach. I wished I hadn’t eaten anything, but I was ravenous after my night with him.
