Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Kinsley
“You’re welcome, Mr. Calloway.” I smiled as I shut his door.
I had just sat at my desk when Lexi approached me.
“I didn’t get a chance yesterday to officially welcome you to Calloway Tech.”
“Thanks, Lexi. I appreciate it.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get over here yesterday. It was a crazy busy day,” she spoke.
“Oh, that’s okay. Please don’t give it a second thought.”
“Would you like to have lunch together today? There’s this great Chinese restaurant just around the corner from here. That is if you like Chinese food.”
“I do, and yes, lunch would be great.”
“Perfect. I usually take my lunch at noon. Will that work for you?”
“Noon is good.”
“Excellent. Looking forward to it.” She smiled.
Lexi seemed really nice, and she was very pretty. Five foot four, slender figure, medium-length brown hair with bold blonde highlights, and dark brown eyes. She looked to be about the same age as me or maybe a couple of years older.
Noon rolled around, and I informed Mr. Calloway that I was heading to lunch. When I went back to my desk to grab my purse, Lexi was standing there.
“Ready?” She smiled.
“I am, and I’m starving.”
“Me too. Come on.”
When we approached the elevator, and the doors opened, Chase walked out with a wide grin across his face.
“Well, hello, beautiful ladies. Off to lunch?”
I gave him a small smile while Lexi answered him.
“Yes. We’ll be back in an hour.”
“No need to rush,” he spoke. “Take your time and enjoy your food.”
“You work for him, right?” I asked as the elevator doors closed.
“Unfortunately.” Lexi rolled her eyes, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Actually, he’s really good to work for, sometimes.
” She smirked. “I’ve known Chase since I was a kid.
His dad and my parents were good friends back when we lived in New York.
We stayed in touch all the time when he and his father moved to California, and I would spend the summers here.
After I graduated high school, I moved here to attend college, met my fiancé Ben, dropped out of college, and then Chase offered me a job as his secretary/personal assistant. ”
We reached the restaurant and were immediately seated at a booth.
“Have the two of you ever dated?” I asked and had no clue why I had.
Lexi laughed. “No. He’s like a brother to me.”
“You mentioned his dad was friends with your parents. What about his mom?”
“His mom is a whole story on its own. She wasn’t around.”
“Oh.”
“So, tell me. Why a temp agency? Are you in between jobs or careers?” Lexi asked.
“I just moved here last Friday and needed a job ASAP. The agency called, and I took it. It’s only temporary until I figure out what I want to do.”
“You just moved to California?” she asked. “From where?”
“Berkshire, Indiana.”
“I never heard of it.”
“I’m not surprised.” I smiled. “It’s a small town—boring and no excitement whatsoever.”
“Do you have family or friends here in California?”
“Nope. I don’t know anyone except for the few people I just met.”
“Wow. So, you moved here without a plan, job, or anything?”
“Yep. Just me and my suitcase. It was a very sudden move. Like less than a twelve-hour move. I came here to start my life over.”
“Let me guess. Some douchebag boyfriend broke your heart?”
“Yeah. He was one of the reasons.”
We ate our food, and Lexi paid the bill.
“How much was mine?” I asked as I pulled out my wallet.
“Put your money away. This lunch is on Chase.” She smiled.
When we reached the office, I thanked her again for lunch and returned to my desk. I’d just made a new friend in California.
Chase
“Here.” Lexi threw a receipt at me.
“What’s this?” I picked it up.
“That’s what you owe me for lunch.”
“Why am I paying for your lunch?”
“Because you wanted me to find out information about Kinsley, and I did. The least you could do is pay for it.”
I sighed as I pulled my wallet from my pocket and handed her some cash.
“Well?” My brow arched.
Lexi shut the door to my office and took a seat.
“She just moved here on Friday from Berkshire, Indiana.”
“I knew she wasn’t from California!” I pointed at her. “Why did she move?”
“The only thing she said was she moved here to start her life over. I asked her if a douchebag boyfriend broke her heart, and she said he was one of the reasons.”
“Hmm. So, she’s not a lesbian. Did she ask about me?” I grinned.
“No.”
“Not at all?” I cocked my head in irritation.
“The only thing she asked was if you were my boss.”
“That’s it? Nothing else?”
“No, Chase. Nothing else. I’m sorry, but I don’t think she’s interested in you. Especially if she just got her heart broken by some douchebag in Berkshire, Indiana.”
“Well, I’m just going to have to fix that for her.”
“How? You’re the master and the god who breaks women’s hearts every day. She’s a nice girl, and I like her. In fact, I think we could be really good friends. So, I won’t let you break her heart.”
I narrowed my eyes as I stared at her from behind my desk.
“I wouldn’t.”
Laughter escaped her. “It’s all you know how to do! Leave her alone and move on to the next victim. Oh, wait. She did ask if we had ever dated.”
“Why would she ask that?”
“Because I told her I’ve known you since we were kids.”
“Well, if she asked that, then some interest in me must lie somewhere inside her. Why would she care if she wasn’t attracted?” I smiled. “You didn’t tell her about all the women I date, did you?” My eye narrowed.
“No, and I don’t have to. All she has to do is google your name, and thousands of images of you and different women pop up. She’ll be able to tell right away what a manwhore you are.” She smirked.
“That is not true!”
“Sure, it is.” She laughed. “Google yourself. Are we done here? I have work to do.”
“Yes, we’re done.” I shooed her out of my office.
Picking up my phone, I googled my name and clicked on images.
“Oh shit,” I spoke to myself.