3. Wren
3
WREN
W e all stare, mouths open, as Merrick leaves the room, but it’s not until we hear his door click shut at the end of the hall that everyone starts talking at once.
“What the hell did you say to him?” Kami hisses at me as she grabs her coffee from the table.
“I grew up with three brothers and my cousin. There’s no way I’m letting some suit from New York bully us.”
Plus, my father would never allow it. Winston Sterling might be all smiles and Hi how are yas but he’s also a fierce business and family man. He taught us to never let anyone mistake our kindness for weakness. I hadn’t as a child and I wouldn’t start now.
After eating quickly, we all help clean up while Astrid pulls everything out of the fridge and wipes it down with the disinfectant wipes before moving on to the counters.
Merrick had been a dick yesterday, but looking around, it’s clear that compassion has replaced any negative feelings.
And I feel like he needs to know.
Glancing at the clock, I have ten minutes before my first appointment, and while I’d usually scroll on my phone or refill my water bottle, there’s something I need to do more.
Peeking out of my room, I quietly move down the hall and knock on Merrick’s door. A pause before a quiet come in has me turning the knob and stepping inside.
“Ah, so you have decorum; you just chose not to use it.”
“Careful or I won’t tell you how nice this morning was and how much it meant to everyone.”
He dips his head before meeting my gaze. “Thank you.”
“Did a little self-reflection last night, did you?” I muse, my lips twisting up into a smirk.
“Something like that,” he admits. “You took pity on me with the disinfectant wipes before you left?”
Surprised he noticed, I do my best to school my expression. “Something like that.”
His lips twitch, and just when I think he isn’t going to say anything else, he adds, “I was supposed to be running a different location. My brother was supposed to be in charge of this one.”
“And you thought you’d take that frustration out on the people who work here?”
“Not my intention, no.”
“Ah, a lucky side effect then.”
“You talk to all your bosses like this?” he asks, sitting back in his chair, the move giving him a regal air like a king looking down on his subjects from his throne.
“Gotta play along to get along, Mr. Ellis, and your big-city attitude won’t do you any favors here.”
“Thanks for the tip, Miss Sterling.”
His eyes spark with amusement like he’s daring me to ask if he has a tip for me. And God, how I wish. With the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up and his corded forearms on display, I’m practically salivating at the thought.
“You’re welcome,” I say instead as I make my exit.
“Miss Sterling?”
“Hmm?”
“You’d do well to remember that while I appreciate your help, I am still the one in charge here.”
Our eyes lock for a second before I step back out into the hallway.
Merrick Ellis can certainly think he’s in charge.
He can think whatever he wants.