Page 71 of Wherever You Are

No, I’m not quitting. Willow would probably break up with me on the spot if she heard that I quit to move to London.

It’s something else, but I’m nervous as hell because if Connor rejects this, then I’m not sure what I’ll do. I don’t have a plan B.

Maybe I should have a plan B.

“Abbey.” Keith struts over and stops at my cubicle. Cobalt Inc. hired him after his internship ended, and Keith, along with his team, was awarded a humongous bonus after their Valentine’s marketing push paid off. Some sort of magnet keepsake thing.

I don’t really care. My job isn’t in the “magnet” sector, so I don’t cram my brain with useless shit. But their giant cock-sized bonus is all anyone will fucking talk about. And if he starts yammering on about it, I may just check out early.

“I’m busy,” I tell Keith.

“This won’t take long.” He adjusts his Rolex, a gift from the CEO as part of the big dickbonus. “I heard from Diggy that you have an appointment with Connor at 3 p.m., and I need it.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why in the hell does Ryan Diggins like that you all refer to him asDiggy?” Ryan is Connor’s assistant, and honestly, I don’t talk to him much.

“Because it’s cool as shit, just like him, and you’d know that if you showed up to any of the company parties.” He taps the top of my cubicle wall. “You’re missing the point.”

“Yeah, totally missed how you want my appointment time,” I say, sarcasm on my tongue. “Went right over my head.”

He lets out an aggravated noise. “Look, you don’t even need to schedule a time to see Connor. You could walk up to him at any point. Hell, you live on hisstreet, Abbey. You could knock on his door if you wanted to, and he probably wouldn’t think that’s weird.”

He’s right. Connor wouldn’t.

But I wanted to do this the professional way. It’s a professional matter.

“Sorry, man,” I say. “It’s not happening.”

Keith glances at my mini-fridge. “You still need someone to grab you lunch and dinner from the caf? I’ve got you covered, no extra charge this time.”

His offer almost makes me smile, not because I’m going to take it. But because I don’t need it. “Thanks, but no thanks. I actually bring my lunch in to work now.”

I make a sub sandwich every morning when I pack Maximoff’s snacks for preschool. I took care of it once for Lily and Lo when they were both running late for work, and they’ve let me do it ever since.

I enjoy helping out, especially since I’m not paying them rent, and Lo would barely accept a check for groceries.

Keith rubs his eyes. “Abbey. There’s only a short window of time I have leverage for a raise, and you have one of the only available appointment slots—”

“It’s not available,” I cut him off. “I have it.”

Keith slowly blinks. “I’ve got blow.”

Jesus.“Then you should be going into his office begging not to be fired,” I snap. “Connor hates drugs.” At least, he doesn’t want his employees on them. I would know, I’ve had to take a fucking drug test every six months since I failed my first one. They’ve all been negative since.

“I didn’t say I use them,” Keith whisper-hisses. “But it’s good leverage for the assholes who do in here.” He saysleverageand I hearblackmail.

I raise my hands. “I don’t want a part of your bullshit.” There’s a reason I enjoy my division existing of one person:me.

“Then give me your appointment and I’ll be out of your hair,” Keith says. “You won’t have to talk to me. Otherwise…” He reaches for the empty rolling chair, about to pull the thing over and park his ass next to me. Probably for eternity. Cobalt Inc. is infested with annoyingly persistent type-A pricks.

“Fine,” I concede. “Tell Ryan you can have my time.”

Keith grins. “You’ll need to call Diggy yourself. He doesn’t trust anyone in the building.”No shit.

“Fine,” I repeat. “Just leave.”

He goes to pat my shoulder like we’re bros—I abruptly slide my chair away. “Don’tfuckingtouchme,” I snap so caustically and quickly it all slurs together.

His eyes widen. “Shit, sorry.” He raises his hands. “Christ.” He strolls away from my cubicle, and my pulse beats rapidly andhard.Like the Road Runner wields a sledgehammer inside my body.