Page 21 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess

I leave and arrange for someone from the tech team to have the lounge refitted. A large wooden desk, full with a computer system is brought in, along with a leather chair, and several items to properly setup the office. In the meantime, I tackle scheduling the eighteen meetings with the department heads. They’re all very busy and their schedules sometimes overlap, so I need to juggle about, but this is my bread and butter. It takes nearly two hours to set up a schedule that fits everyone’s calendars, but finally the invitation emails are sent. One task down.

After lunch I’ll continue planning. It's taking up most of my day at the moment, but I'm also really looking forward to it.

Now I stretch, log off, and send Mr. Arthur Blackthorn a quick message that I’m going on break.I copy it and paste it into Alexander’s chat. My first message to him—crazy that he has my number now.

Just as I’m about to go, he texts back.

Curiously, I look at my phone while slinging my bag over my shoulder.

“Can you recommend a restaurant?”

“There’s a café across the street. I picked up the canapés and sandwiches from there this morning. Big selection,”I text back and heat out.

Most employees eat in the cafeteria or at food stalls around the building, but I prefer the juice bar across the street. They have fresh salads, smoothies, wraps, and fruit bowls.

His next text comes in as I reach the elevator. “Are you going there?”

“No, somewhere else.”

“Address?”

Damn it. I just want my peace and quiet during my break.

“To The Fruit Bar, one street over,”I type.

He doesn’t respond further. Hopefully he won’t get any ideas to follow me. I like this sweet little juice bar. It's unassuming and cozy. The perfect place to relax.

By the time I reach the ground floor, reception improves, and another text comes through: “Sounds good.”

Yes, it does. That’s why I eat there—alone. But I don’t want to say that.

I quicken my pace toward the exit, but Raul from security steps in my way.

"Ah, Miss Waverley. About Mr. Alexander Blackthorn."

"Yes?" I adjust my handbag.

"I had to let him through. You understand, right?"

"Of course. I didn’t recognize him at first. Everything’s fine," I promise him.

"Oh, good. So, I won't get in trouble?" This big guy, shoulders as wide as a bus, mid-twenties and looking dangerous, but with a heart of gold, is actually worried?

"No, of course not. You were just following my instructions. Everything's fine, Raul," I assure him.

"Oh, That’s a relief."

He steps back and gives me a polite nod. I smile, then walk through the security gate, finally heading out for my well-deserved break.

As soon as I leave the building, a message from Vanessa pops up:Are you on break? Wanna chat on the phone?

“Yes, soon,”I text back. “Will call you. Eating.”

Typing while walking isn’t that easy.

I roll my eyes while I wait at the crosswalk because of course Alexander is texting me too: “Can you send me photos of their selection?”

So, he wants me to pick something up. Technically, this is my break—the only sixty minutes I get to myself during the workday without my boss breathing down my neck. But fine. I’ll be nice.