Chapter 2

Piper

I close his office door and feel like I closed all hope and happiness I had. Why am I in love with my boss? It’s stupid and wrong and just like he’s proved today, totally unwelcome. I’m lucky I wasn’t fired. Although right now, the thought of never showing my face again is looking better and better. I can’t afford to lose this job no matter how badly I want to because I got lucky that he scooped me up from my lower paid position. Because of the position I was able to afford a better car and a nicer apartment without roommates.

I moved here two years ago from Iowa with just a couple thousand in my bank account and the well wishes of my grandparents. I love them, but I needed a life outside of my small town away from the hundred people there who are too damn nosy for their own good. I think it’s what I love and miss sometimes. Here, in a city with millions of people, I have no one. Well, at least I thought I had one friendship or something with Mr. Smith. Fuck, I’ve never called him by his first name. How could I even consider us friends? Stupid, foolish farm girl. He’s right to distance our connection, but I’ve never felt so alone than I do now. Maybe moving back to Iowa is what I should do.

I get in my car and pull out on the road. Holy shit, traffic sucks at this time. I can't believe I forgot that. It takes me an hour to get to my apartment in Bridgeport. Damn. I think I'll take the train from now on.

I release a sigh, wondering how I'm going to spend my evening. I look in my fridge, and everything expired or wilted. When was the last time I was home early enough to cook? Dang, cooking dinner is out of the question unless I go to the store. After that drive, I’ll hold off until tomorrow.

I call up Connie's for some pizza then hit my treadmill. If I'm going to eat my heart out, I should at least get in a good workout. 

By the time the doorbell rings, I'm covered in sweat. "Wow, that was fast," I pant as I sign the slip. 

"Ma'am, I was about to apologize. Your pizza is fifteen minutes late."

"Totally let the time slip by," I laugh. He nods then leaves. Locking the door, I take my sweaty ass onto the sofa with my pizza. I didn't get an individual like I should have, but oh well, I have lunch for tomorrow.

I set myself up on the sofa, hoping to eat away the nagging feeling that my heart is breaking, foolishly, I might add over a man I can’t have. I eat a couple of squares and drink my pop with my feet up and my television up loud. I want to drown out my thoughts. All of which center on that sexy boss of mine.

I can't stop thinking about him. I wonder who he has helping him tonight. Will it be Eve or maybe Sarah or even Leah? My chest burns with jealousy. God, it’s driving me crazy to picture one of them looking at him with his brows knitted as he works over his desk. I love the way he tries to concentrate and grumble reads documents. He's so handsome that I find myself staring at him whenever he’s not looking. It’s a wonder I manage to get any work done for him.

Frustrated with myself, I hop off the sofa and put away the pizza and clean up the kitchen. I stare at the clock on my microwave and see it’s only seven-thirty. I have to do something else to get my mind off him. My phone beeps and I rush to get it thinking it’s him. I’m hit with disappointed when I get another Pinterest email. “Since I’m home early, I should call my grandparents,” I mutter to myself.

I head into my bedroom and lay on my bed, dialing my grandmother. She picks up after a few rings. “Sweetie, is everything okay?” she asks.

“Of course everything’s okay. Why would you say that?” Dang, like does she have some freaky motherly intuition or something?

“Because we never hear from you this early on a weeknight. Is the boss out or something?” I wish it was that simple.

“No,” I sigh.

“No? Is there more to that somber ‘no’ you just mumbled out?”

“It’s nothing. Well I guess, I could have gotten fired today,” I trail off when my phone beeps as I’m on it.

“He fired my baby,” she hollers. I can just picture her face as she thinks about gutting my boss.

“Sorry no. Luckily he didn’t.”

“Lucky? He’s lucky to have you. You work night after night for that man. I thought maybe he was going to express his undying love for you the way he has you working for him nonstop.” I wish.

“Hardly. In fact, it’s just the opposite. He’s a hard-working man who demands a lot from his employees. But he made it clear that we needed our distance.”

“Why is that?” she says. The last note in her voice lilting.

“Because some rumors are floating around the office that we’re having an affair,” I answer, hoping to stop her dreaming of a wedding. My hopes were dashed today. It’s silly that I had them in the first place. The man has veins filled with ice.

“Wait? He’s married?”

“No, I mean you know a secret relationship.”

“Oh, well. You could do better than a man that works all the time anyway.” Just two seconds ago she was mentally planning my wedding. Now she’s brushing it off. I love this woman. She is so damn supportive of everything I want to do .

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” I agree, feeling like my life has taken a turn for the worse.

“Don’t sound so downhearted. I know you like him, but maybe since you have time on your hands, you can find someone to take away that pain even if only for a night.”

“Grandma,” I exclaim completely shocked by her suggestion.

“What? You act like that’s not what people do today.”

“It is, but it’s not me.”

“I know it’s not, but you should see your grandpa’s face. It’s hilarious. Now, I know you don’t have the time to yourself very often so stop wasting it talking to us and plan out your time going to some club and meeting your future baby daddy.”

I roar out laughing. “Delores, calm your tits woman. You’re getting feisty in your old age,” my grandfather shouts. I hear the phone being fiddled with. “Sweetie pie, ignore that old woman. I think it’s the new meds. Have a good night and don’t let no jackass make you feel less than amazing, or I’ll have to come down there and kick his ass.”

“Yes, sir. I love you both. Have a good night.”

“Night.” I hear giggling and the call ends. My grandparents are still in love after all these years. It’s wonderful to see.

I get up and prepare for an early night. There’s nothing I want to do. And since this will be my new routine, I’ll plan my day during my train ride to work. After I shower and braid my long curly hair, I fall asleep.