Page 48 of Dating the Boss

“Thanks.” Yep, definitely higher pitch. I quietly coughed before holding up the coffees. “I have to get to Mr. Sawyer’s office.”

“Right. Good luck.”

I halted in step. “What do you mean bygood luck?”

“He’s in a mood today,” she responded. “I went in to get his thoughts on a design, and he was a bit snippy. More so than usual.”

“He could be tired,” I said. “I mean, we were stranded for, like, four days.”

“Maybe that’s it. I’m glad you’re both back safe. I was a little worried.”

“Just a little?” I smirked before turning around. “Later, Jen.”

My cool attitude deflated as soon as she was out of sight. The pit of my gut tightened, and it felt like a metal rod had been jammed down my throat and fused with my sternum and rib cage, just a thick heaviness that made me feel like puking. I placed my coffee on my desk and faced Daniel’s office, repeating theI can do thismantra inside my head as I approached.

When I reached his door, I breathed in through my nose and exhaled before lifting a hand and knocking.

“Come in,” a cold voice said from the other side.

I turned the handle and walked into the room. “Good morning, Mr. Sawyer. I have your coffee.”

Daniel sat at his desk, his sleeves pushed up to show his toned forearms. His suit jacket hung on the back of his chair. He didn’t look at me as I placed the cup in front of him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Is there anything else?” he asked, clicking something on his computer. Still not looking my way.

“No, sir.”

“You should get to work, then.”

The damn metal pipe twisted inside me, and my chin quivered a bit. “Y-Yes, sir.” My eyes stung as I turned and headed for the door. Crying was not part of the deal I’d made with myself that morning. There was no room for tears.

“Reed?” Daniel said in a voice that had my heart skipping a beat. There’d been life to it unlike the cold, detached one he’d used so far that morning.

“Yes?” I looked back to see him staring right at me, his blue eyes pained.

“I…” He swallowed hard and glanced at his computer. “I’d like for you to get me the numbers for the Henderson campaign.”

Hope was so fucking cruel. It blossomed only to be cut down like an unwanted weed.

“Oh,” I said, disappointed. More at myself than at him. “Okay. I’ll do that right away.”

As soon as I was out of his office and closed the door behind me, my composure slipped and a tear escaped my eye. I hastily wiped it away and went over to my desk.

Daniel was just like that bird. When he no longer had use for me, he spread his wings and left.

***

“Here’s to…” Monty’s words trailed off as he held a shot glass in the air. “Um, living in the moment, I guess.”

“That was beautiful,” Quinn said, rolling his eyes. But he clinked his glass to Monty’s before looking at me. “Come on, Reed. We’re here to have fun.”

“Fine.” I touched my glass to theirs before we all took a shot. The shit burned going down, but I kept from making a face. Unlike my best friend.

“Goddamn,” Quinn said, cringing.

“Ah, Specks. Can’t hold your liquor?”