Page 45 of The Grumpy Boss Agreement

When Cole pulls his car up to the curb in downtown South Shore, I am already waiting on the sidewalk because I refuse to be late. I would rather sit in the freezing cold than get dressed down by Cole again. It’s gloomy today, and thunder cracks in the distance as I juggle my oversized purse, a box of the best crullers around, and the two lattes I snagged. I'm early, and I brought out the big guns to appease my boss.

Cole emerges from his car with a dark umbrella. He looks dapper as always, wearing a pair of dark dress slacks under his usual overcoat. He hurries over to where I stand huddled under the awning of South Shore’s only set of unoccupied offices.

“Jesus. Let me take something. You look like you’re about to topple over.” Cole snags the lattes from me.

I give him my brightest smile. “Thanks.”

He peers up at the two-story, chipped brick facade of the building in front of us. I can almost read his mind.

Is this really where Savannah intends for us to work?

“It’s the only place I could find on such short notice. Let’s check it out before making a decision.”

Cole’s lips thin as he opens the plated glass door. Inside, we are presented with two dark wood doors and a set of stairs. The door to my left is already open a crack; I phoned Ms. Brown last night and she said it would be ready for us.

“This place smells like mildew,” Cole comments.

I shoulder the left door open all the way and ignore his complaint. The office is a one-room affair. The walls are painted a dingy beige-gray. Several tall windows line the wall, with ancient window shades pulled down. A small powder room is off to the right. To my surprise, the office is already furnished with two old, but massive, teak desks, and a long brown leather couch. The dark wood floors have been redone fairly recently.

Everything seems well-worn but cared for.

“This is actually pretty cute.” I turn to see him lingering in the doorway, as though stepping into the office was some kind of commitment. “If it helps, it’s very cheap.”

Cole perks up at that. “Really?”

He walks in and sets the lattes down on one of the two big desks. I smirk and put the box of crullers and my purse down on the other.

“You know, one of those lattes is for you,” I point out.

“Thanks.” Cole wrinkles his nose. “I’ll drink it. But I prefer an Americano with just a hint of almond milk.”

“Noted. When I become a barista, I’ll remember that.”

He cuts me a look. “You’re so funny.”

“I try. Now, about the office. Why don’t we take it for a month? Then we can decide between renting a nicer space if we need it for another month.”

He mulls this while sipping his latte. I take mine and drink a little as he looks around the office, presumably weighing the pros and cons of renting it.

I open the box of crullers and present it to Cole. “Have one. They’ll help you think.”

“You can’t be serious.” He makes a face like I just offered him a box of spoiled oysters. “Donuts? No. I’m a grown up.”

“Suit yourself.” I take a huge bite of my sugary breakfast treat and survey the office.

Being stuck in an office with a grump is easier with the windows open. I bustle around, hoping he'll take note of the way I'm making things easier and stay.

Mostly I’m wondering… is Cole really planning on leaving? And why the frick does that bother me so much?

Cole seems to be lost in a daydream in his own right. It makes me feel a little better. But I notice the white cup in his hand drifting down toward his lap. “You’re about to spill your coffee on that very expensive pair of pants if you’re not careful.”

“Oh. Err… Thanks,” Cole says. He sets the coffee down and starts rolling up the sleeves of his blue button-up shirt. I can’t help but watch him as he exposes his strong, tanned forearms.

Is that supposed to be so distractingly sexy?

Cole doesn’t seem to notice that he’s making me flustered. He takes the first office chair and wheels it over to his chosen desk, then sinks down in it with a sigh.

I wheel the second office chair around, turning my back to Cole. I reach over to the chair to grab my coffee cup.

---