Over the next week and a half, Jameson doesn’t really speak to me. I still drop off all his files, but we don’t have any conversations of substance.

Even though he’s just upstairs, I find myself missing him. Plus, Mr. Sanchez still hovers whenever I come upstairs. That man makes me nervous. All these men are making me nervous.

Mr. Sanchez is dying to find out the now non-existent nature of the relationship I have with Jameson, Jameson and my attraction to him, Mr. Mack and his enigmatic warning. The final partner is the only one I have no solid opinion on. Mr. Marks. It seems as if he’s rather egotistical but I don’t know what man in his place wouldn’t be. He’d founded this firm and made it into what it is today— yes, with Jameson’s and everyone else’s help. And he was married to the best woman on the planet— my secret admiree, Madilyn.

As time has gone by, I have gotten to know Madilyn better, as well as Ruby and Katie. They all help Carolina figure out her dilemma about Garrett—does he love her, or is he just using her? This welcome diversion keeps my mind off of Jameson and makes me happy that everyone is so busy discussing Carolina and Garrett that no one seems to know there was ever anything at all between Jameson and me, except for Mr. Sanchez’s suspicions, of course.

I want to tell Ruby that she should get her husband off my trail, but I’m sure she wouldn’t know what I mean and I’m not about to explain it to her because it just makes me look as guilty as I am. So instead I’ve just asked her, “What’s up with your hubby? He always seems so intense.”

“Yeah,” she’d giggled, twirling her purple streaked hair and looking back at me through her cat eyed glasses. She’s a software developer who only works here part time to help out the firm with tech stuff. “That’s my Ronny. Always anxious that everything continue as it should, and appointing himself world police to make sure it does. Don’t pay him any mind. If he comes around too often, it’s just to make sure everything’s in tip top shape, because he’s really anal like that.”

I’d sighed with relief, glad to hear it wasn’t just me. But still, I couldn’t express my real concerns to her, so I was left with this mostly helpful information.

So, my second week working here is coming to an end and it’s been one emotional trip. Tonight, I’ve once again stayed a little bit past closing, seeing as I have no Friday plans.

Monique and I have gotten closer, and she tried to invite me to go out with her and some people from the office tonight, but I couldn’t bring myself to say yes. I’d love to hang out with her more, but tonight just doesn’t feel like the night. And anyway, there are more files for me to deliver upstairs.

I don’t know why I’m still doing this, though. Obviously, Jameson doesn’t want to talk to me. Whenever I go into his office, he momentarily acknowledges me, then goes back to whatever he was doing. Maybe, I should’ve stayed that night. I wanted to. I really wanted to. And he promised nothing would happen… but I couldn’t make the same promise. Meaning I had to leave.

I go upstairs and make my final deliveries for the night. I finally get to his office, his office, and expect to be disappointed once again, but I’m ready for it. I almost don’t care. Almost.

I go inside and once again find him on the phone. I place the envelope on his desk and turn to leave his office.

“Hold on, Erin.”

There it is. Finally. That stern, sexy voice commanding me to do something. The air hangs heavy between us and I feel as if it’s been forever since I’ve heard that tone I love so much.

I stop and turn around slowly. Jameson is still on the phone, so he motions for me to take a seat. I do so, tentatively, not sure what I’m in for this time. Another conversation would be nice, but I want more than a conversation.

Maybe a conversation with our bodies… Dear god, that was cheesy. Delete that thought from my mind.

I look up at Jameson and see him watching me. I suddenly feel embarrassed and hope none of my thoughts were apparent on my face, given how stupid they sound. He finally ends his call and instead of taking a seat in his chair, sits down on the desk.

“How have you been?”

How have I been? Let’s see. There’s a mixture of disappointment, horniness, and curiosity mixing about in me.

But no, I’ll just say, “Fine, fine. I’ve been… fine.” Sit up straight, betray no emotions, get through this. “How about you?”

“I’ve missed you.”

Surprising. I’ve been here the entire time. It wouldn’t have been that hard to say hi. Wait, stop. I need to dissipate this anger. Why? Because one, I shouldn’t let him get to me like this and two, I can’t validate his feelings. I think I’ve kept a fairly neutral face and I also think Jameson is picking up on my less than friendly feelings. He quickly changes the subject.

“I’d like you to stay late. I have a project I need your help on.”

Project? Bullshit. I’m just a receptionist, not his legal assistant, and even if I was, no one ever has legal assistants stay late unless they’re helping to get ready for a big trial.

“Bullshit.” I think I said that out loud. Yep, I definitely said that out loud.

Oh, crap. Jameson’s mouth twitches and I think he wants to smile, but I suppose since it was quiet enough, he simply ignores my little outburst.

“Why don’t you gather your things and we can work here in my office?”

I nod and leave. As I ride the elevator down to my floor, I chastise myself for letting my… anger?... get the better of me. I guess I am angry. I’m mad that he didn’t talk with me for over a week. I’m mad that nothing ever seems to resolve itself between us. And I’m mad that I have so many conflicted feeling about the two of us.

That last one’s on me, but doesn’t make me any less angry. In fact, I believe it makes me angrier. I grab my things… angrily and go back upstairs. Jameson seems to already be working on something. Maybe there really is a ‘project.’