Page 55 of Mostly Loathing You

Liam

come here

I set my phone down on my desk face-up, though I expect her to just walk in. I’ve stopped lockingmy office door when it’s just me and Hannah because usually she’s in and out constantly.

Hannah

why?

I rub my brow, her refusal to be cooperative seeping through the shred of professionalism I have left.

because i told you to.

and im your boss

Three dots appear, indicating she’s typing, each dot an exclamation point of rage and fury, coming in quick succession before disappearing and leaving me to wonder if she is done or just taking a breath to continue. My office door creaks open slowly. I’m actually a bit surprised by her obedience, but when I see a petite brunette in the doorway, I realize that’s not the case.

“Hey, Veronica,” I say with a smile as I lean back in my chair to give her my complete attention. “What can I do for ya?”

“Nothing, I just thought I’d stop by to say hello.” She grins from ear to ear as she leans against the edge of my desk, pulling her highlighted waves over one shoulder in the process. Veronica’s perfume is subtle and sweet, and appears to be freshly sprayed.

I’m somewhat surprised that Veronica hasn’t been by at all this week until now. She used to stop by at least once or twice every week, but I haven’t seen her as much lately.

“Well, that is always welcome.” I grin up at her, earning me an even bigger smile than before.

The door to my office swings openwith a thud, far more aggressively than when Veronica entered. I know without having to look up that Hannah has entered the room and is more than likely pinning me with a glare.

“What did you want?” She barely makes it in the door before her hand is on her hip, an irritated expression painted on her lips.

Her irritatingly pillowy lips.

I would make a smart-ass remark, but given that we’re not alone, that doesn’t exactly feel professional. Now that I think of it, neither is the fact that Hannah has yet to acknowledge Veronica, who is sitting on the edge of my desk, only about a foot from her. She doesn’t just fail to acknowledge her; it almost seems like she’s intentionally refusing to offer pleasantries.

“Hannah, have you met Veronica? She works down in Accounting.” I force a neutral smile in her direction, but it doesn’t reach my eyes.

“Yep.” She turns her head toward Veronica and gives her a curt nod before turning back to me. “Now, what did you want?”

It’s a struggle not to snap at her when she’s like this, especially toward someone she barely even knows.

Unless…no. There is no way she’s jealous.

“Did you pick up that thumb drive from my dad like I asked you to?”

“I don’t know, are you blind?”

Okay, so we’re not even attempting to pretend to get along in front of other employees.

“It’s sitting right in front of your keyboard.”

“Ah, well…thanks,” I grit out, clearly caught.

I expect her to gloat at her triumph in catching me in my false pretenses, but she just glares at me.

“I’m gonna go,” Veronica says as she looks back and forth between me and Hannah. I don’t even blame her, as the air in this room is so thick with animosity that I would like to escape it, too.

“Okay.” I sit upright as I sort through the papers on my desk, handing her the one with the Baker & Park letterhead that she’s been asking for. “Here are the expenses you were asking about.”

“I’ll get this logged and bring it back to you for your records.” She awkwardly backs away, exiting without a single word to Hannah.

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