I went into work early. I felt upbeat, for once. It had been a week since Scarlett and I went out on what I was calling our first date, nearly two weeks since the wedding, and I couldn’t be happier.

“Hey, man,” I said to the guy in the cubicle next to mine.

He gave me a strange look, probably wondering what I was so damn happy about so early in the morning. Like he had anything to say when he was even earlier than I was, already set up and logged in and starting to work. Officially, work started at eight thirty, and you were considered late if you arrived after nine. But it was barely seven and my head was still hurting from the time I’d had with Scarlett last night. Not that it wasn’t good—it had been amazing—but that was the reason I had a killer of a headache. I only slept with women once, maybe twice if they were in my black book. I’d call, we’d fuck and that would be the end of it. I never took them on dates. Not unless they were a tease and I wanted to fuck them. Then I’d take them out, do the deed and let them know that I wouldn’t be doing it again. But with Scarlett it was different. We’d made a pact and so far it looked as if we were going through with it. That was what had started the fucking headache.

“Yeah,” he muttered. “Oh, um, the department head needs to talk to you about something. She said to tell you the moment you walked in.”

I arched an eyebrow his way, wondering what the problem could be. I put my bag down but didn’t sit down.

“Did she say what was wrong, or…”

“No, she didn’t tell me. She’s in her office, I think you can just go in.”

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair as I deliberated. On the one hand, I didn’t want to be in trouble. There were few reasons why the department head of our floor would be calling on me, even fewer would be good reasons. But I couldn’t think of anything I’d missed. I’d got all my work done this past week. Yeah, I was a little preoccupied with thoughts of Scarlett, but I was old enough not to let my personal life and professional life mix. So what the hell did she want?

“Did she say it was urgent?”

Maybe I could put it off for a little while. But then the guy answered, “Yes.”

Fuck!

“Thanks. I’ll head over right now.”

If there was something I’d done wrong, I’d have rather waited for a while before facing the music so I could keep my high a little longer. But it was already ruined, my more professional mood settling in. It wouldn’t be any better to have her come looking for me, or send someone to me, so might as well get it over with.

I stopped at the office door and knocked, waiting for confirmation before I let myself in.

“You wanted to see me.”

My superior was seated behind her desk, the oversized piece of furniture dwarfing her already small build. Standing up, she probably hit my chin, if that, with her blonde hair put up in a messy bun. But the gaze she leveled on me had my back straightening when I hadn't realized my spine was relaxed in the first place. She was a fierce woman that ran a tight ship—she was good at what she did.

She intimidated me. I found it hot. Once, I’d tried to hit on her and she shut me down. It was at an office party so I didn’t get into trouble for it. But my respect for her went up a notch, and I did my best to stay on her good side when she didn’t let it affect work either.

“You’re here earlier than usual,” she commented.

I gave her a small smile, keeping it polite. “It’s not so unusual, though. It’s not like I come to work late.”

She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs at the knees and folding her arms over her chest. “Well, no, you always just barely make it on time. But that’s not what we’re here to discuss.”

“Are you dissatisfied with my work?” I asked bluntly.

She pursed her lips, but I could see a light in her eyes behind her wireless, round glasses that I hoped was approval. “No, quite the opposite. I called you here because I love your work.”

I blinked, not expecting the compliment.

“Then I’m afraid I’m a little lost.”

She kept up her pose for a moment, considering me with her dark eyes. Then she uncrossed her legs and leaned onto her desk.

“I have a job for you.”

“A job?” I sounded like a fucking parrot.

“Yes. I’m sure you know our company has offices in several cities and several countries all over the world. We’re even opening a few more.”

I nodded. I was aware of it, though what it had to do with me… oh. I was starting to get the picture.

“The guy that was supposed to open the Tokyo office got himself fired for doing something stupid. I’m not at liberty to say what, he’s still under investigation. But we still need people out there, and I picked you for the job.”

Picked me, as if I’d volunteered for something like this. I never had a choice in the whole thing, and I couldn’t open my mouth to say anything about it. Of all the times they could have chosen to spring this on me… Couldn't it have been two weeks earlier? Back then, I wouldn’t have minded the opportunity for adventure, but now…

Now, I dreaded it.

“I’d like for you to leave as soon as possible,” she continued. “I’ll have someone give you some more details later, including your travel details. If you have too much work it will be delegated, so just tell me when you’re ready.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I muttered, turning around and leaving her office.

Fuck. I wondered if fate was trying to be cruel. I’d have to call Scarlett and let her know, especially since we’d made plans for the weekend and now I wasn’t going to be there for it.

I wandered back to my cubicle and stood with my hand on top of the partition. I hesitated before sitting down. If I was supposed to start getting ready to leave soon, then I’d be busy later. I wanted to call her before I got busy so we could have a real talk.

But I didn’t want it to be out in the open where anyone could hear. It’s early, I told myself. Not many people were around, so I headed to the break room. It was empty, thankfully. Hopefully, no one would walk in on the conversation. I pulled out my phone and made the call.

She answered almost immediately.

“Zach!” she said, sounding almost pleased. “I wasn’t expecting you to call this early. What’s up?”

I felt bad, knowing she was happy to hear from me when I didn’t exactly have the best news to deliver.

“Where are you right now?”

“Oh, I’m just about to leave my place. Work isn’t so far, so usually if I leave before eight, I can make it no problem. What about you?”

“I’m at work already,” I said. “I woke up, and I didn’t look at my alarm clock, so I was early.”

She laughed, and I was instantly warmed by the sound, even though she was technically laughing at me.

“Should you be calling me if you’re at work? Won’t you get in trouble?”

Technically, personal calls weren’t allowed at work, but everyone looked the other way as long as it wasn’t regular.

“It’s fine,” I reassured her. “I have something important to tell you, and it’s to do with my job.”

There was a short silence. When she spoke again, her voice was subdued. “Is it a business trip?” she asked. “How long will you be gone?”

I was surprised for a moment when she jumped right into the heart of the matter. Then I winced when I realized why she would immediately think of it. I wondered just how many of her former boyfriends gave her the same news, and if it was genuine or just an excuse because they were cowards. She did have the most atrocious taste in men.

“It’s… a little more than just some business trip,” I said slowly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked after some hesitation.

“It’s bad news,” I told her honestly. “I don’t know exactly for how long. I was only just notified that the guy they had was fired unexpectedly, and I’m his replacement. I’m supposed to go to Tokyo to open an office there.”

There was a short silence on the line. I was worried how she would take it. We’d only hooked up twice and gone out on the one date. Our next date was supposed to be on the weekend, and she was expected to spend the night. I’d brought it up since I didn’t like waking up to find her gone.

But now, we couldn’t have even that. I was pretty sure I would be heading out in a matter of days.

“Oh,” she murmured. “Then, have a nice trip.”

My eyebrows jumped up as she surprised me yet again, though she wasn’t there to see it. She sounded normal, not as happy as when I called, but not as bad as I would have thought either.

“What?”

“It’s for work, right? So, you can't do anything about it. It’s fine.” Then her voice turned teasing. “I kinda envy you. I never get picked for business trips, and you’ll be going to Tokyo. I’ve never been, but it’s supposed to be amazing.”

I narrowed my eyes, feeling confused. She was taking this way better than I’d anticipated.

“Scarlett,” I said slowly. “I could be gone for months. It probably won’t be years, but I can't tell you when I’ll be coming back.”

There was another short silence, then she sighed. “Well, it can't exactly be helped, can it? Besides, it’s not like we’ll never talk or see each other. That’s what Skype is for. Just promise to keep in touch?”

I frowned. “Well… yeah.”

“Then there’s no problem,” she said with finality. “Just let me know when you leave, all right? I wanna say goodbye properly.”

“Sure,” I said absently.

She seemed okay with the whole thing, and I knew that technically that should mean everything was good. Scarlett wouldn’t be upset with me for springing something like this on her so early when we’d only recently become more than just friends. I also wouldn’t have to deal with consoling her when I was too busy.

Plenty of women, even the ones that knew better than to expect more from me, would have been upset.

Scarlett shouldn’t have been so happy.

So why did I feel slightly annoyed that she didn’t seem all that bothered about me going away for months?