Chapter 10 Jessica
Jessica
I slide into the car as Gordon closes the door, and I still. This is my routine now. Gordon collects me each morning, and I sit in the car, in the warmth, enjoying being chauffeured to work and relieved to be missing the train commute I became so accustomed to.
But this morning, it’s different.
“Gordon, whose coffee is this?” I see a steaming hot coffee sitting in the cup holder.
“Yours,” he says quickly, and my shoulders lower at his kindness.
“Thank you, Gordon. You didn’t have to.” I usually just wait until I get closer to the office, grabbing a coffee from the nearby café or when I’m in a hurry my new assistant, Katie, gets it for me. Which feels completely unnecessary, but it’s something an assistant does, I guess.
“Mr. York has instructed me to get this for you every morning.”
“Instructed?” I pick up the hot brew and taste it. Perfection. Just how I like it.
“Mr. York also left the box for you as well.”
I look at his face in the rearview mirror, but his eyes are firmly on the road, not giving anything away. The box on the seat next to me has a label that looks familiar. Expensive. But I have no idea what it is. The box is luxurious, the thick black ribbon around it telling me it’s a gift.
I put the coffee back in the holder and grab the box as my heart rate increases. Untying the ribbon, I suck in a sharp breath, opening the box and seeing a beautiful red scarf inside.
“Oh…” Pulling it out of the box, the material is so thick and warm and soft, I want to wrap myself up in it and snuggle into a large armchair in front of an open fireplace.
I had to get rid of my favorite red scarf after being stuck in the rain on my first day.
It was one of my favorites, but so well worn it needed to go. Something he obviously noticed.
I pull out the card, seeing it’s handwritten.
I saw what the rain did… thought that I would replace what it ruined.
My mouth dries as I take in his thick black script that looks like it’s written with precise strokes. The kind that’s deliberate, no mistaking his focus.
As my fingers delve into the fabric again, I take a deep breath.
We’re playing with fire; we both know it.
But these feelings I have are building, and now that he’s delivering hot coffee and gifts to me before the workday has even begun, how’s a girl meant to say no to that?
I mean, I should. I’m a professional. I want to show my skills and talent at work.
I want to help Donovan build his business to greater heights.
I don’t want to be known as the woman who got the top job because she’s romanticizing the boss.
Romance isn’t something I’ve experienced before.
Not really. And seeing this gift and this coffee, I’m almost gushing, my crush for him developing even more.
It’s almost like my female hormones have suddenly come to the forefront, slapped me across the face, and said batter up, buttercup.
I’m usually reserved and extremely risk averse.
Yet here I am, bringing the scarf to my cheek and brushing the soft material across my face like a woman who’s completely fallen for a man she has no business even knowing.
Ignoring my thudding heart and any sense of self-preservation I have left, I pull out my cell and send him a text. It’s the polite thing to do, really.
I got the gift. You shouldn’t have.
I press send before I can think better of it and get one back immediately.
Something to pull over you next time you're asleep.
Hopefully I don’t embarrass myself like that again…
I’m not complaining… I’ll be working out of the office for the next few days, so Gordon can take you anywhere you need to go. Feel free to nap as needed.
I grin a little, feeling the slight humor in his words and the underlying fact he said next time. But I also feel a little bereft at not being able to see him today.
“Straight to the office this morning, Jay Jay?” Gordon brings my attention back to our commute.
“I just need to stop at the coffee shop.”
Gordon frowns, shaking his head. “Two coffees in the morning? Mr. York must have you working hard.”
“Oh, not for me. For Frank, the night security guard. He’s always so tired and the kitchen is too far away from his post and never has the good stuff by the end of his shift.
” Without another word, we take a small detour to the corner café.
I grab Frank’s usual—strong, black, with a splash of cream.
“Ahhh, there she is!” Frank beams as I approach, his eyes locked on the steaming cup in my hand.
“You only like me for my coffee, don’t you?” I tease, handing it over.
He takes it with reverence, like it’s the holy grail. “I like you for your timing and the coffee. Are you wearing a different scarf today?”
I glance down, instinctively brushing a hand over the soft wool at my neck. “Oh this? It’s new.”
“Figured.” He takes a small sip. “The old one looked like it lost a fight with a thunderstorm.”
I laugh. “It sure did. See you tomorrow!”
“Hmmm, see you then, Jay Jay.” Frank barely comes up for air as he sips his coffee, and I make my way to my office, my hands sinking into my warm scarf the entire way.
As I slip into the elevator, I see it full of the usual people.
“Good morning, Ashley.” Donovan’s assistant looks at me quickly, with barely a hint of recognition, her eyes immediately going back to her phone and scrolling. Clearly ignoring me, she’s acting both unprofessional and extremely rude.
The PR girls look at her, as if trying to understand why the two of us know each other.
They’re aware I now work on the executive floor, but no one gives respect around here very easily.
I guess it’s because I don’t dress or act like they do.
They think they’re above everyone else. Height wise, they’re right.
They all tower over me. But in the hierarchy of the business, I’m now above them all.
“Nice scarf,” the head of PR offers, noticing the luxury item that's around my neck.
I smile. “Thank you. It’s new.”
She ignores my statement, going back to her phone, scrolling through the latest trends or gossip, no doubt.
One by one, people get off at their floors until it’s just Ashley and me left, so I decide to extend an olive branch.
“Ashley, I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot…”
“No. We didn’t. Please don’t confuse me with someone who cares.”
I can only blink back at her as the doors open to my floor.
“Your floor. I’m the only one going to Donovan this morning,” she adds, and I wonder what in the world her problem is. It’s clear she isn’t interested in being friends. Hell, I’d settle for a small smile and some common courtesy, but that’s apparently not on the table either.
“Have a good day.” I step out and walk straight to my office. I have a lot of work to get through, so Ashley and her attitude will need to wait for another day.