Page 39 of Consumed By You

“Okay,” I hum awkwardly. “Well, goodbye. Um, do you want me to go to work on Thursday?”

“Youaremy employee.” God, he’s arrogant.

“For a few more weeks. I will start looking for another assistant for you tomorrow. Have a good rest of your trip.” I pick up my suitcase and head to the door.

He doesn’t call for me to stop. He doesn’t yell, “wait” like in the movies as I step into the elevators. He doesn’t run to stop the car as I get in and head for the airport.

***

After hailing a cab in New York City to head back to my apartment, I try to maintain positive spirits, although a part of me wants to crawl in the back seat of this car and tell the driver to keep going. I don’t even know how I’m going to face this man at work Thursday, let alone in the weeks to come. I don’t think it could have been any worse, the way we ended things.

You were never dating. You didn’t end anything.

I lean back against the seat, trying to figure out how I’m going to start the application process for finding a new assistant. It’s going to take forever. I’ve never hired someone.I don’t even know what to look for!

I need to go into the office today. I can’t waste another moment.

“Can you take me to Scott Industries instead, please?” I say to the driver.

He makes a sharp turn to head in that direction. Thankfully, we’re blocks away from the building now. I glance down at my casual wardrobe in a panic. Shit. I need to run to a bathroom. Fortunately I have clothes with me.

The car stops outside the commercial skyscraper and I gaze up, dazzled by the magnitude of Benjamin Scott’s legacy. I work here. God, I workhere. How could I have fucked this up?

“We’re here,” the driver grumbles when I don’t move.

“Thank you.”

I pay him, climb out, and haul my luggage into the building.

“Miss Fontaine, I thought we wouldn’t be expecting you until Thursday!” Steve, the doorman, exclaims as I walk up the steps.

“Yes, I thought so too. Business arose.” I give him a what-can-you-do look and he nods in understanding.

As I walk through the foyer toward the elevators, Evan calls out to me as well, a big grin on his face. “Miss Fontaine! Casual Wednesday?” He gestures to my clothes.

“Very funny!” I wave so I don’t have to stop, stepping onto the elevator. The nostalgic ’90s song blaring through the speakers thankfully blocks any coherent thoughts from forming in my mind for the next minute until the doors slide open.

Upon seeing me, Kate’s face contorts with shock. Probably from the fact that I’m not supposed to be here, and also that I’ve come in looking like complete and utter shit.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m early.” I stop in front of her desk.

“Did he seriously send you back from Seattle to work?” She rolls her eyes.

I hadn’t thought this far. What do I say? “Something big came up. I have to check it out.”

“Yeah? I haven’t heard anything.” Her lips turn down and I stop breathing, sensing she’s catching onto my lie.

“Alexander called Benjamin. Something with the publishing house.”

She smirks. “Damn. You could have changed before you came.”

I glare at her, kicking my luggage. “Ihaveclothes with me! Why does everybody believe I’d come to work like this?” I shake my head, walking back to my office. I need to call Doris soon and tell her what happened. She’s going to be so disappointed with me.

I shut the door and lock it so I can change. I unzip the bag and pull out my least-wrinkled dress. It’s red and hangs just above my knees. Not too uncomfortable. I slip on black pumps and pull my wavy hair into a loose bun. Taking a quick glance in the mirror, I pout and apply a bright red lipstick.

It’s going to have to do.

I push my bag under the desk and go out to get the messages from Kate.