Page 11 of Love From the Ashes

“Did you want to review it after the revisions?” Krista said.

“It’s not necessary. Besides, I don’t want to hold it up since we already have a tentative contract for the new product we’re showcasing.”

“All right. I’ll send it out first thing in the morning so Rob can pitch it.” Krista watched Mr. Morgan walk out the door, and then she unleashed her wrath on me. “What was really going on between you two?”

“Nothing. It was like Mr. Morgan said. I was telling him about my job.”

“Really? I highly doubt that. I’ve seen the way he’s looked at you ever since the morning of your interview.”

“Excuse me? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t give me that. I saw you on the street corner that morning when you stepped in front of Reid’s car.”

“You were watching me?”

“You might want to close that gaping mouth of yours. It’s quite unbecoming. And, yes, I saw you. I was coming back from the coffee shop down the street and was several yards behind you when you stepped off the curb. I saw the lust on Reid’s face when you marched away and how he’s had his eye on you ever since. I have to say, I was quite surprised Monday morning when my new hire turned out to be you. Stay away from him, Sofie.”

“I’m just trying to do my job, that’s all.”

“Then you can make all the revisions the group decided on in my meeting. Here’s the marked-up PowerPoint, and I want it done by eight o’clock tomorrow morning.” Krista slapped the packet of marked-up slides on my counter and stormed off.

If that wasn’t proof enough that Mr. Morgan was the main problem, then I didn’t know what was. Krista’s anger toward me on my first day on the job wasn’t solely because of Alice. She didn’t want Mr. Morgan near me, which was ridiculous. He was the boss, and nothing was going on between us, regardless of what she thought. So, I didn’t understand what her issue could be. Sighing, I snatched the presentation from my counter and tossed it on my desk. It was four o’clock, and I was off in an hour with some of my work still undone. There was no possible way I could update the file before I left, especially since I didn’t know how to use the software program.

“You don’t look happy. What’s going on?” Della said, striding up to my desk.

“Krista just ordered me to make all the revisions to her presentation, and she wants it first thing in the morning.”

“So, what’s the problem?”

“I don’t know how to use the software, and I still have some work to do.”

“Take it home and work on it. That’s better than making Krista mad. Besides, there are tons of videos on the internet on how to use the program.”

“I don’t have a computer,” I snapped.

“Oh, that’s a problem.” Della’s face lit up a second later. “Hang on. Let me talk to Jason and see if you can take one of the laptops home.” Della dashed off before I could say another word.

I had just finished the office supply order when Della returned to my desk with a black canvas bag in her hand.

“Jason said you can take this laptop home. It’s fully charged, and I saved Krista’s presentation on the desktop. You shouldn’t have any problems. Oh, and I found this book in the library.” Della placed a textbook on my counter along with the bag.

I looked at the book and laughed. “Great choice,PowerPoint for Dummies. That’ll get me through a slide or two. It looks like this book will be my best friend tonight.” I picked up the yellow-and-black book and scanned through the pages.

“Think positive thoughts. You’re going to do fine. I better go since I’m meeting Adam for dinner. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yep, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Turning back to my desk, I shut my computer down and gathered my belongings to go home. After stashing the book and marked-up presentation in the canvas bag, I threw my purse strap across my shoulders. I picked up the laptop in one hand and my box of leftover pizza from my lunch in the other. Hoping I didn’t drop anything, I headed to the elevator.

Reaching the lobby downstairs, I strode toward the exit, stopping halfway there. It was pouring rain outside. Hanging my head, I continued toward the door, knowing the next half hour would be miserable between my walk to the bus stop, midpoint transfer, and two-block walk home. The pouring rain would have me cold and soaked to the skin by the time I got there.

I was hurrying down the sidewalk a few minutes later, using my pizza box as protection, when I heard a car honk behind me. I stopped, swiveling in place while I squinted through my wet eyelashes at the black Mercedes-Benz at the curb, the rain pelting down on me while I tried to protect my face. The back window rolled down, and a man poked his head out. It was Mr. Morgan.

“Get in the car. You’re getting soaked,” he called out, the rain drenching his upper body.

“I don’t need a ride. I take the bus,” I yelled back.

“Not today. Get in. I’ll take you home.”

“I don’t need a ride.” I turned and walked away with my head bent in the rain. I felt a hand on my shoulder, spinning me around several seconds later.

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