Page 77 of Hate You Up Close

Before I have a chance to reply, Evie glides into my office, her eyes bouncing between me and Elliot in confusion as we quickly jump apart.

Her brows pinch together as we both attempt to catch our breath.

“Is uh…Is everything okay in here?” Evie asks hesitantly.

“Yes,” Elliot and I both say at the same time, completely breathless.

“We um…” Elliot runs a hand through his hair, trying to act calm and collected. “We were just discussing a difficult client. We have different opinions on how to handle the situation, so we’re butting heads. But I think we’ve come to an agreement.”

God, he’s such a bullshitter. No wonder he’s so good at his job.

He flashes me a knowing glance, as if he thinks he’s won our argument.Keep dreaming, buddy.

“Oh,” Evie stammers, still looking puzzled. “Okay…Well, I was just stopping by to tell Roxy that the client you’re supposed to take to lunch today called the front desk and canceled. He tested positive for the flu.”

Elliot nods slowly.

“Thanks for letting me know,” he replies. “I’ll have Roxanne reach out to him and reschedule.”

“No problem,” she smiles softly. She turns to leave, stopping in her tracks when her gaze lands on my desk.

Her eyes sparkle as a big smile stretches across her face.

“Oh my god, Roxy,” she gasps, placing a hand over her heart. “Those flowers. That vase.I love it!It brightens up the space so much.”

I love you, Evie. I love you so damn much right now.

“Thank you,” I coo, so fucking glad that Elliot is here to hear this. “I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but it’s definitely here to stay.”

“Great choice,” she hums, pointing to the vase before spinning around and exiting my office.

A wide smirk stretches across my face as I cross my arms over my chest and arch a cocky brow at Elliot. He glares at me like he wants to throw the vase against the wall and break it into a million pieces.

“Have a good day,” I say smugly, bumping my shoulder against his before taking a seat at my desk.

It’s the following Wednesday,and I’m starting to get excited for my date with Zach in two days. Even though my feelings for Elliot are all over the place, I still feel those first date butterflies in anticipation of my night out withZach.

I keep prodding Zach, begging him to give me any details, but he won’t budge. He just keeps saying it’s a surprise. All I know is that I need to be dressed and ready to be picked up at seven on Friday night.

I’m sitting at my desk, scrolling through Pinterest in hopes of gathering inspiration for my date night outfit when my computer dings with an alert.

An instant message pops up in the lower left-hand corner from Elliot.

Are you busy?

He can’t walk ten feet and ask me himself? Lazy ass.

Not really. Just finishing up an email.

Not scrolling through Pinterest. Definitely not doing that.

Come by my office when you’re done. I want to discuss something with you.

My heart drops to my stomach.

I want to discuss something with you.

That’s never a message you want to get from your boss.