I rest my hand on the small of my back when I straighten up. My first day on the job, and I already feel like I’m doing manual labor. As a temp, I can’t complain much, though. The job description was for someone open to all areas of work.

Rubbing my back, I glance around the conference room. At least it’s quiet in here. I’m not opposed to socializing, but when it comes to a new workplace, I want to give the best first impression. I already got started on the wrong foot last night when I singled out the CEO and punched him. Granted, I had no idea at the time that he was the CEO, but it doesn’t help me feel any better.

The light is streaming in through the windows and warming me. I step into it fully to defrost. The air conditioning is on full blast, and I’m finding it hard to stop shaking while I work.

It’s already ten minutes past noon I realize as I eye the clock on the wall. Riley said she would swing by to take me to lunch. I’m not entirely sure who I need to notify when I take my break, but I assume it’s Samuel. He gave me my first assignment, but I haven’t seen him since this morning.

I step out of the room and walk the few yards down to his office. Thankfully, I find him there, bent over an open file on his desk.

“Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving for lunch soon,” I tell him.

“Oh, hey. Yes, of course. How is the work coming along? Did you have any issues?”

“No, I’m getting in the groove. I’ll let you know if I have any questions, though. There are just so many files to sort through.” I laugh. “It should keep me busy for a while.”

“Well, I’m glad Riley recommended you. I’ve been putting off hiring someone to do the job for a while because I thought I would catch up on my own. Anyway, there’s plenty more where that came from.” I see his eyes travel down to where my hand is still rubbing my back. “Your back okay?” He sounds concerned.

“Oh, yes. It’s fine.” I drop my hand to my side. I don’t want him to think that I can’t handle the job.

“If you need help lifting those files, please let me know. I apologize; I didn’t think to ask you.”

Touched by his kindness, I flash him a smile. “Oh, it’s fine. I could use the arm workout.”

“Okay, that’s fair.” He chuckles. “But lift with your knees, or call me next time.”

I go back to the conference room and see Riley getting off the elevator. “You ready?” she asks, linking elbows with me.

“More than ready,” I agree. We stop in the conference room so I can grab my purse.

“I know a great deli just around the corner from here,” Riley says as we click down to the elevator.

The sound of our heels echoes in the long empty hallway. The marble floors are clean and reflective, as shiny and sleek as this corporation’s office. I feel a little out of place because this filing and heavy lifting isn’t what I’d usually do. Normally, I work at a front desk or deal with phones, not wrestle with years of stored paperwork.

“Anything sounds good. I’m starving.” I place my hand on my stomach for emphasis.

Riley punches the button before turning to grin at me.

“Back in your first year of college, you ate enough for five and still stayed so tiny,” she marvels. “Do you still eat like that?”

“I still have an appetite, yes,” I say sarcastically. “But I probably only need three people’s worth of food these days, not five.”

Riley laughs, and we get on the elevator.

We check our phones, and I remember something. “I tried calling you this morning, but it said your number was disconnected!”

“Oh, shoot,” Riley says. “I forgot to give you my new number. I had to cut off the old one because I was getting so many collection calls for strangers.”

“Well, wait. I got a text this morning. Isn’t this you?” I show her my phone, and she squints at it.

“No. Oh, that’s from Mr. B. It’s a courtesy text when you join the company. But just store his, too, because he sends company-wide texts from time to time.”

My stomach does a nervous flip at the sound of the boss’s name. I remember seeing him last night in his crisp, fitted plaid shirt and dark denim. He stood out in the crowd of younger, less polished men. His hair was neatly combed to the side, and he could have easily looked preppy, but the glint in his eye gave him a certain edge that excited me.

“Did you run up and punch him again?” Riley asks in a teasing voice. I’m not ready to joke about it yet. After she told me who he was last night, I spent half the night sure that he would fire me and the other half determined to stay so far out of his way so he couldn’t.

“It’s too soon,” I groan. “Just let me lay low, do my job, get paid, and go home.”

The elevator doors open, and Riley shoves her phone into her purse. “Okay, but I’m ready with my jokes when you’re up for them. Until then, let’s eat, and then I’ll give you the new number. I don’t even have it memorized yet.”

We order our food and sit down outside with the plates. There is a beautiful wooden awning with lattice work around the sides above our table. It hides the full force of the sun but casts lacy shadows over us.

Riley bites into her sandwich with glee and rolls her eyes up before dramatically closing them like she’s having an orgasm. “Heaven,” she mumbles.

I giggle and taste mine and moan in agreement. The explosion of tangy mustard and peppery pastrami hits like a symphony in my mouth. We eat in silence, looking up to watch the other patrons.

Riley finishes before I do and tears open a bag of chips. “Share with me,” she demands, pushing the bag in my direction and popping one chip into her mouth.

“Pass,” I tell her. “This sandwich is amazing, but I’ve got butterflies in my stomach from this job.”

“Don’t worry about it. Worse comes to worse, we can hold a meeting about it. The CEO isn’t an ogre. He’s actually a really great guy. I mean, he and Samuel are brothers, if that tells you anything. I think he just has to put on this façade if you know what I mean.” Riley talks around her crunching. “And you’re not a friend if you let me eat this bag by myself. You know I’m trying to drop ten pounds.”

I take a chip reluctantly and wish I can afford to be blasé like her. After all, I punched the guy. It’s kind of a major deal. I’ve never been compelled toward violence, but last night, I don’t know what came over me.

Riley shakes her head, dusting off her hands. “You’re overthinking it. If you make it a big deal, it will be one. First of all, you weren’t technically employed here when you did it. Also, you didn’t punch without a cause—well, wait. What was the reason again?” She has a small smile playing on her lips.

I scowl at her. “He wouldn’t let that woman go last night! You saw him!” I sit back to sip my drink and look away. “Clearly, the man is used to getting away with things like that—just look at him! He commands the room, even when there’s no need for him to do so.” I shiver, recalling his piercing gaze. I wanted to back down, but I knew men like him thought they could get away with anything.

“I think you definitely interrupted something, but I’m positive there’s a reasonable explanation. He’s a well-known guy in this city! There’s no way he would harass a woman without it becoming front page news. I mean, especially with so many witnesses.” Riley pursed her lips thoughtfully. “I’ve never actually seen him so angry, so I wonder what made him react that way.”

“You seem like a huge fan of his,” I point out to her. “I’m not saying you’re biased or anything but…”

Riley laughs. “Yes, I’m a little biased. He takes care of his employees, and he makes sure everyone is onboard with his vision, from the mail clerk to his brother Samuel, and everyone in between. That’s not the type of person who walks up to a random woman in public and tries to haul her off. I mean, he has a little girl at home.”

I chew my food quietly, but I replay the scene in my head. It just doesn’t make sense. “Yeah, but men can be different with their daughters. You said he’s a single dad. Was he married before? What was he like with the mom?”

“Yes, he was married briefly. I didn’t know him during that time, but I’ve heard a lot about the situation from different people—mostly Samuel. Basically, he was married, and his wife got pregnant soon after. She wanted a wedding but not a marriage, so she was looking for a way out when she found out she was pregnant. She didn’t want the baby, but she realized it was the best way to squeeze some money out of him since he wanted the baby. She threatened to abort it unless he agreed to pay her some fixed amount to carry it. So they stayed together until she gave birth, and then he gave her a huge lump sum, and she willingly forfeited her parental rights to her child. That’s as much as I know, but it speaks volumes to me about the kind of person he is.” Riley pauses to drink her diet cola. “And how she is for that matter.”

“That said, as long as I’ve known him, he’s always been with different women. A serial dater. He doesn’t get too close and isn’t really a PDA guy. Plus, I’ve never seen that lady in the bar around the office before,” Riley adds. “I don’t think he was dating her.”

“You make him sound halfway decent, but I still don’t know. I know what I saw. It didn’t look so innocent to me.”

“Excuse me. We can’t all be as perfect as you, Laura!” Riley laughs and crumples her napkin to toss it in my direction. “When was the last time you dated anyway? You turn down every guy I try to set you up with!”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, but I don’t say anything. I haven’t dated since I was a freshman in college. I was devastated when I witnessed my fiancé cheating on me. After that trauma, I decided to focus on myself and my career. At least I could trust myself. “If that’s what’s out there, I don’t want anything to do with dating.” I flash her a half smile.

“Look, you need to forget about what happened in college. Jason was an exception, not the rule. Not every guy is stupid enough to make that mistake. Make yourself available. I promise I’ll find you so many eligible men, your phone will blow up.” With that announcement, Riley sits back and brushes her hands on her slacks.

“It’s not that, exactly,” I hedge. “It was traumatizing enough, and then I joined that group counseling, and the women there had a dozen more stories like mine. My story was by no means unique, it was one of many just like it. It’s hard to trust someone, and I can’t bring myself to do a casual relationship.” I break off before I tell her too much. I love Riley, but I can’t confess my biggest secret even to her—not yet. Knowing her, she’ll try to solve that problem, too, and that’s the last thing I need.

I peek at my phone. We have only ten minutes to get back to work. In these heels, I’ll need to use every second wisely. “We should get going. Give me your new number before I forget.”

“I’ll just send you a text, and you can store it,” Riley says, rising from her seat. “Give me your number again? My new phone messed up all my contacts.” I rattle off the numbers, and she hits send. I feel my phone vibrate in response. “Done.”