Tequila shots on Sunday nights make Monday mornings a rough way to start the week. I should have stopped at five when I was feeling good.

Nope.

Not me.

I was on fire and ready to kick some ass. Angela’s words stirred up all the anger I had been holding in and I was ready to let it out. Or drown it, with tequila.

Angela ordered us three more rounds and then called Ian to come pick me up. He practically carried me out of the bar, throwing a twenty on the table to cover the tip. I remember Tyler walking in as we were leaving and I hollered at him. Something about seeing him in the morning, I think. I’m not exactly sure.

When my alarm went off this morning, I shot straight up in bed and grabbed my head. Too quick. I need to slow down and a handful of aspirin.

Ian was getting ready to walk out the door as I walked into the kitchen. He mumbled something and then slid a piece of paper in front of me. When I looked up to ask about it, he was closing the door behind him. There was no question in my mind that we were still fighting. I’m still angry and it appears he is too.

Pouring myself a cup of coffee, I sip it while I read the invitation he gave me. It’s a reception for Perregrine. This Friday. I’m guessing it’s important if he wanted me to know about it. I should probably go with him, no matter if we’re fighting or not. Even though he hasn’t technically asked me to go with him yet. Unless that’s what he mumbled, and I don’t count that as him asking me.

A good girlfriend would go with him. She would get dressed up, put on her nice perfume and stand by his side. I want to be that girlfriend again, but he needs to give me a reason to be.

Looking up at the clock, I have no time to waste if I plan on getting to work on time. Sliding off the stool, I down the rest of my coffee and head to the bathroom, popping two aspirin before taking a shower.

I’m five minutes late when I get a text from Ryder. He wants coffee. From the lobby. And I’ve just entered the elevators.

Hopping off at the first floor, I take the stairs back down and jump in line. I’m the third person back so I patiently wait my turn, passing the time by watching the sweaty men lift weights at the gym next door.

The woman behind me clears her throat when the line moves ahead and I’m about to turn when a familiar face catches my eye.

Ryder.

Sweaty and shirtless. Abs on display.

Headed into the men’s locker room.

Shaking my head to clear all thoughts of my boss naked, I move forward before the woman behind me gets upset.

He’s not upstairs waiting for me. Good. This gives me time to grab his coffee and get up there before he notices I’m late.

My plan was to be here early this morning. I wanted to have everything he needs for today ready and waiting on his desk. He has two big client meetings today and I want them to go well. Tomorrow looks to be just as busy, with three meetings scheduled, one with a potential new client.

Tomorrow I will be early.

I’m just sitting down at my desk to get organized when the elevator doors part. Ryder makes eye contact with me as he exits and heads directly for me, ignoring Helen’s warm greeting. I hold up his cup of coffee, assuming he’ll grab it and head into his office to get prepared.

His hair is slicked back, making it appear darker than it actually is. His suit is hugging every muscle he just tested to the max downstairs. When he leans down as he grabs his coffee, I smell his aftershave and his wet hair grazes my cheek as he whispers in my ear.

“You were late, Emerson.”

“I… um… I’m sorry. I won’t let it happen again.” I stutter. How the hell did he know I was late? I was in the elevator before he texted me. Was that a coincidence or did he see me walk through the lobby?

Earlier I was excited I could see into the windows of the gym. Now I’m wondering if it was my demise.

He’s gone before I can ask him how he knew. It doesn’t really matter. I don’t plan on being late ever again. I also don’t plan on drinking tequila for a while.

Letting out a breath, I look up to find Allison staring at me from down the hall, an accusatory look on her face. I instantly blush bright red, as if I’ve been caught doing something naughty. I can only imagine what it looked like from far away. Him being that close to me. What did my face look like when he leaned down? Was I surprised? Did I inhale too deeply when his aftershave assaulted my senses?

What did she see?

“Emerson,” Ryder calls through his open office door. “I need the—”

“Winston file,” I reply.

Gathering everything he’s going to need for his first meeting, I walk into Ryder’s office to find him opening a wardrobe filled with clothes. Completely normal, right? I’m sure he needs to change from time to time. What’s not normal is the pillow and blanket tucked away at the bottom.

Clearing my throat, Ryder closes the doors and returns to his seat behind his desk, motioning for me to hand him the information.

After giving me a list of things he wants me to do this morning, he dismisses me.

No thank you.

No pleasantries.

The playful attitude he had moments ago is gone. He’s been replaced with a grumpy version of the nice guy I thought I would be working for. And that’s how the day continues. His mood gets dramatically worse with each meeting, and my patience with his dismissive persona is withering.

Tuesday is worse. He’s gone from grumpy to down-right angry.

As I leave the office Tuesday night, I wonder what Wednesday will bring. We’re busy this week. Well, he’s busy. With at least three or four meetings each day and new clients coming out of the woodwork, he’s still in his office when I leave. I contemplated offering to stay late and help, but I’d rather not talk to him. Plus, I came in an hour early and I’ve already stayed almost an extra hour.

What else do I need to do to earn a little respect from him? I’m trying my best. I’m putting in the time and effort. If there’s something specific he wants from me, he’s going to have to let me know. I’m not a mind reader.

Wednesday morning I get to the office even earlier, picking up a cup of coffee for Ryder on the way in. As I’m about to pay, I notice him exit the elevator and head into the gym. He bypasses all the machines and heads directly into the locker room despite the fact that he’s wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

Taking a seat on a bench in the lobby, I wait for him to come back out. When he does I’m surprised to see that he’s freshly showered and wearing a suit. Nodding at the guy behind the counter as he walks past, he stops dead in his tracks when he spots me waiting for him.

“What are you doing here this early, Emerson?” he asks as I approach, handing him his coffee.

“You have a big day, lots of meetings, so I wanted to get an early start.”

“Oh.”

This man always has something to say. Except right now. He’s apparently lost his ability to speak.

“Long night?” I ask, nodding toward the gym.

“Yeah. I ended up sleeping here.”

“Did you want to me grab you breakfast too?” I offer. I’d offer him anything if it meant keeping him in a good mood today. I need a break.

“No. That won’t be necessary. Let’s get to work,” he replies, his grumpy face back in place as he motions toward the elevator bank.

Great. So much for that idea. This is what I get for trying to be nice and efficient. I get to spend an extra ninety minutes with Ryder in a foul mood. I’m not sure this is what I signed up for. Angela assured me that he was a nice guy, that I would enjoy working for him.

Maybe she confused him with Tyler. Or Hunter. They all look alike. I’m sure they act alike from time to time. I’m sure they’re all different outside the confines of the office. I know I am.

The morning passes with minimal contact from Ryder. His first meeting runs long and then he slips out of the office without a word. Entering the break room, I’m met with accusatory glares from both Justine and Allison.

The last two days I ate at my desk, knowing that Allison would have something to say about Monday. I was hoping that it would be a distant memory by now, but judging by the look on her face, it’s not my lucky day.

“Hey,” I greet them as I take a seat next to Allison so I don’t have to feel her stare while I eat.

“What’s going on with you and Ryder?” Justine asks as soon as I take a sip of my Diet Coke, causing me to choke.

“Nothing. I have a boyfriend, remember?”

“One that you’ve been fighting with,” Allison reminds me.

“That doesn’t mean we’re not working on things,” I quickly retort, lying through my teeth. Thank God Angela isn’t here to call me out.

“You two look like you’re getting close,” Justine points out, taking a bite of her sandwich as she waits for me to respond.

“Not the way you’re insinuating. He’s my boss, nothing more.” Anger is rising inside me at their accusations, and it’s obvious that I don’t intend to let them continue.

“All work and no play…” Allison says, letting her voice drift off.

I have to take a moment to gather myself before responding. I see this going one of two ways. I can either rip into them, tearing them down with my words. Or I can be the bigger person. Instead of ripping each of them a new asshole, I can kindly remind them, again, that I have a boyfriend at home.

That’s probably the best way to go.

Keep the peace at work. I see these girls every day. Sure, they like to gossip and spread rumors, but I don’t want to be part of that. I certainly don’t want to be at the center of the rumors. You would think, at their age, they would realize that what they hear isn’t always what’s going on. That’s the thing about rumors, though. It’s easy to get caught up in them, share it with another person and then suddenly it’s being spread like wildfire.

The hardest part is laying the rumors to rest. Once they’re out there, people are always going to believe what they want. What’s interesting? The truth is often found boring when compared to fiction.

“I know it might be hard to believe, but one man in my life is enough for me,” I finally say. “I’m not sure what you think you see going on between us, but I can assure you, it’s nothing more than him barking orders at me as I scramble to do the best I can to make sure he’s happy.”

Justine shoots a look in Allison’s direction. Slowly shaking her head, she begins picking at her salad. Justine follows suit, returning her attention to her sandwich and dropping the conversation as the room falls silent. Good. Maybe they’ll drop this stupid topic altogether and move on.

Looking past Justine, I find Helen giving me an optimistic smile.

Ryder is in his office on the phone when I walk by after lunch. His door is slightly ajar, and I hear him yell as I pass. Stepping back to close the door tight, he looks up, an angered expression on his face as I pull the door closed.

Is he mad at me or the person on the phone? It doesn’t matter. I have work to do right now and more important things to worry about. Scurrying away from his door, I head to my desk and focus on finishing the list of things he’s asked me to do.

As I’m getting ready to leave the office, I pray for a better day tomorrow. This is becoming a trend, a daily prayer. I can’t continue to work under these conditions. I feel like every move I make is the wrong move, even though I’m trying my best to make the right decisions. Maybe Ian is right?

Stop.

Back up.

No, Ian is not right.

This is the best job for me at the moment. My only option. It’s not my career. I don’t plan on being someone’s assistant for the rest of my life, but it is a stepping stone. One that I’m grateful I have, even if my boss is an asshole most days.

Knocking on Ryder’s door to let him know I’m taking off, it creaks open and I find him with his back to me, staring out the window. I go to announce my presence when he begins yelling.

“I don’t care what you have to do, this need to be over with. Now. I’m done waiting. Make it happen or I’ll find someone else who will!”

Turning, he tosses his phone on his desk. That’s when he spots me.

“I’m sorry,” I start, unsure of what he thinks I’m doing in his office. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop but I’m sure it looks like I was. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving for the night if there’s nothing else you need.”

“Fine.”

“Have a good night,” I say, scooting out of his office before he has a chance to change his mind.

As the elevator doors close, I catch sight of Ryder leaving his office, heading toward me.

Please don’t stop me. Please don’t stop me.

I repeat it over and over again until the doors close and the elevator begins to move toward the parking garage below the building. Once I’m safely in my car I breathe a sigh of relief.

Walking in the door of my apartment, I hear Ian on the phone. His voice is muffled but it’s clear he’s talking to someone important by his tone. When I round the corner into the kitchen, he’s hanging up, a smile on his face.

“Guess what?” he says, grabbing my hands and twirling me in a circle.

“What?” I ask, reaching for the counter to catch my balance.

“Mr. Perregrine agreed to give you a job. You have an interview on Monday afternoon.”

All I can do is stare. This isn’t what we talked about earlier this week. In fact, this is the opposite of what we talked about. When he told me about the job opening, I specifically told him that I wasn’t interested.

We live together. The last thing I want is for us to work together as well. I only applied to Perregrine because he pressured me to before I moved here. When I wasn’t offered an interview, I was relieved. I knew it would be better to keep our personal and professional lives separate. And now, as much as we have been fighting the last few weeks, I can’t imagine working with him. I wouldn’t want to bring that to the office with us.

“That’s great,” I say, grinding my teeth together, feigning excitement.

I have to find a way to tell him, before Monday, I won’t be going to the interview. He needs to know where I stand on this. He needs to hear what I have to say and how I feel about this even if he doesn’t want to.

“You’ll meet him Friday night, so make sure you’re ready. You want to make a great first impression,” he declares, walking away before I can protest.

Can this week get any worse?