Page 9 of Lost Times

He’d probably had to work late to get all of it done.

Something warm fluttered in my chest, and I buried it in the next second. He did that foreveryone, I wasn’t about to let myself look any further into it.

Sitting at my desk, I pulled my short stack of paper closer and got started. If he was still busy by the time I finished this, I’d ask if he needed help with anything.

It was better than sitting here doing nothing.

It only took a few hours to finish my work, all the clients’ files sorted by last name in their correct places, and I snuck a glance to his office.

He looked as if he hadn’t moved once, still hunched over his work with that deep furrow to his brow. Giving my empty desk one last look, I stood up and moved deftly through the maze of people.

It was not uncommon for one of us to ask him a question during the day so no one’s eyes followed me, thankfully, and in no time I stood in front of him.

The scratch of his pencil paused for a minute and he glanced up, meeting my eyes with a scrutinizing stare. After a second, he nodded. “You look much better today, but that isn’t why you came here. What can I do for you?”

Forcing down the nerves trying to riot in my stomach, I answered honestly. “I wanted to thank you for helping with my work. I would have gotten it done, but it was nice not to have to stress about it. Is there any extra paperwork you can delegate? I’ve finished my work for today, so have time to help with whatever is needed.”

He stared in complete bewilderment, then, after a beat, said. “That isn’t something to thank me for, it’s part of my job here. I don’t do it because I want or expect gratitude.”

Biting back the irritation yet again, I shook my head. “You may not do it for gratitude, but there’s nothing wrong with showing appreciation when someone does something nice or well.”

His frown intensified, the confusion behind his eyes seeming to deepen too. Then he shook his head. “You’re welcome then, and as for the work, no. I have everything covered.”

I glanced at the various mountains of papers dubiously. “That’s a lot to do,” I said, and he nodded.

“It is, but I’m used to it. You weren’t the only one who caught a cold either. That is my paperwork and two others. Now if there’s nothing else?”

That was a dismissal and, after one last look at the mountain of paperwork, I nodded. “That’s it. Just let me know if you change your mind. I’m happy to help.”

He waved and I left, mind a buzz over the new information I’d gained from that talk. He didn’t seem to understand why I’d thanked him, and something about that sat wrong with me. Hadn’t anyone thanked him for things like that before?

If not, that might explain why he was so harsh on everyone.

Shelving that for later consideration, I sat back down at my desk and offered a hand to Kelly. “I can take some of your work if you want?”

She heaved a sigh of relief and handed a chunk over, “Thank you so much. I was just wondering how I’d get all of it done.”

Considering I could barely see her behind the stacks, that wasn’t surprising.

Focusing on the paper, I threw my attention onto it and nothing else, not even noticing the eyes on me from the head office.

Putting the last of the papers to the side hours later, I stretched both arms above my head and grinned at Kelly. “All done and with a bit of time to spare too.”

She beamed back, offering a hand for a high five that I happily took. One of the papers caught my attention and I skimmed it.

It needed the boss’s signature and after a quick glance toward his door, I gestured for Kelly to head out. “If this is the last thing you have for today, I’ll handle it. I know you were talking about date night, and you wouldn’t want to be late for that.”

The lightest flush worked over her cheeks, and she cleared her throat. “No, I definitely wouldn’t. He wouldn’t hold it against me of course, but still.” Squeezing my hand, she nodded. “Thanks for all the help. If you need anything in the future let me know, and I’ll do my best.”

I didn’t have a chance to tell her it wasn’t necessary before she’d zipped off, leaving me shaking my head at her energy. Bringing the paper to the head office, I knocked on the wood and waved the paper when he glanced up at me with curious eyes.

“I just need your signature on this, and I’m headed home.”

He took it deftly, reading over it for a beat then nodding and putting down his signature. After he handed it back, though, he raised a brow. “I thought you finished early today?”

I shrugged. “I did, so I helped Kelly with her work.”

His mouth pulled into a thin line and the confusion I’d seen before came back. “You could have just left early, though.” There was a question there, even if he didn’t word it like one, and I answered it.

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