4. Fia
Fia
“Hey, that’s supposed to be decaf,” Halle whispers as espresso fills the glass in front of me.
I bite my tongue as I pour it out and restart, not needing to look up to know the line is out the door.
“I’m sorry,” I apologize, blowing my bangs out of my eyes, “I didn’t sleep much last night.”
For once it wasn’t Daisy keeping me up, but obsessive thoughts about a stupid roof.
Halle lifts her chin towards Caden’s office. “Go take a minute to collect yourself, we can hold it down.”
I hesitate, but this is the third drink I’ve screwed up in fifteen minutes. “I need to order cups anyway,” I mumble and leave my station, crossing the black-and-white tile floor to unlock the office door.
Besides monthly team meetings, Caden rarely comes in, and never on Fridays. He’s probably off doing whatever rich guys do with their free time. Golf? Surf? Look at their stacks of money? I don’t know.
With the door shut behind me—the dim office instantly becomes a respite from the chaos of the cafe. I snatch the tablet from Caden’s desk and drop into the leather wingback chair in the corner of the industrial-style room.
I was supposed to place the order for cups days ago, but it slipped my mind amidst everything else. It’s not like Caden will even notice the purchase order going through late.
When he promoted me, I knew he was going to be a hands-off boss.
The minute I was up to speed and running this place, he made himself scarce.
Not that we would’ve been best pals—Caden is all business, all the time.
I’d be shocked if he even had friends. That would require smiling from time to time—something he doesn’t do.
I open the order forms and yawn as I curl my legs under me, resting my head against the cool smooth leather. The big chair swallows me whole, and my eyes grow heavy. It’s so cozy in here, with the ambient lighting, Turkish rug on the floor, and muffled noise.
Within seconds, the words on the screen begin to blur together, and the tablet slips into my lap. I jolt, looking at the time on my watch.
Maybe I’ll rest my eyes for just ten minutes. A little catnap.
I set an alarm on my phone and tuck my head into the nook of the tall chair, unable to resist closing my heavy eyelids . . .
Where am I?
My cheek is stuck to the back of the leather chair. Either from sweat or drool, or both. I blink rapidly, peeling my head up, and gasp when I realize I’m not alone.
“Fuuu—dge!” I catch myself, hand over my heart.
Caden is standing in front of me. Arms crossed over his chest. Frowning.
His blond hair is sun streaked and perfectly tousled, and his tan shirt has zero wrinkles.
I bet he hires someone to iron his clothes.
“Hi! I was just about to place a purchase order . . .” I point to the tablet on the floor beside me. My heart races so fast, I fear I might faint.
I wonder if that would count as workers’ comp . . .
Staggering to my feet, I smooth my cropped shirt and force a smile.
“Let’s talk.” Caden’s voice is emotionless. He turns to click the office door shut.
“Please. I . . .” I clench my fists, but it’s pointless. This is it. I’m going to be fired.
Then the roof will be the least of my issues.
I’ll have no choice but to relinquish the house to my siblings, and they’ll sell it.
Naturally Penny will insist I move into her guest room.
I’ll have to share a bed with Daisy, ruining her sense of stability.
She’ll grow up to resent me. I’ll be a penniless beach bum.
“I am really sorry—”
Caden cuts me off with a flip of the wrist.
Okay, rude.
He leans back against his desk, arms crossed over his chest again. His shirtsleeves wrap around his biceps in this position. He must have all the time in the world to workout, considering he looks like he stepped off the cover of a surfing magazine.
“Is there something going on that I’m unaware of here?” His gray eyes are sharp. Their gaze is too much; I have to force myself not to squirm.
“I’m sorry, I’ve had an off week,” I reply, swallowing the lump in my throat. I lift my chin—I will not allow myself to cry in front of this man. “I’ll be back on my game Monday.”
“I can’t have my manager falling asleep in my office.
” Caden chews his lip like he’s trying to figure out what to do with me.
“I trust you, but this goes both ways. If something is going on, if you need to adjust your schedule, communicate that with me.” He stops talking, then adds curtly, “Please.”
“Of course. I understand.” I clear my throat, nodding. “I promise, it won’t happen again.”
Caden exhales. “Would this have anything to do with you being tired?” He pulls a paper from his pocket, handing it to me.
It’s the estimate for the roof repair. I thought I’d lost it somewhere in the house.
My mouth goes dry. “Why do you have this?”
“You dropped it in here two days ago.” His brows remain pulled, voice stern.
I fold the paper back up and slide it into my pocket. “I have it handled. Like I said, I promise I’ll be good to go after the weekend. I just need to catch up on sleep.”
None of this is his business.
He needs me to do my job, he doesn’t need to know about my house falling down around me.
Caden grinds his jaw, turning towards the door. He reaches for the knob, his back to me, like he’s going to dismiss me.
I exhale, ready to get out of here, away from him and this conversation. Especially considering the fact that I most likely have dried drool on my face.
Slyly, I wipe my chin just in case.
He suddenly whips his body around, facing me. “I’ll assume you’re aware that the roofing company is ripping you off.”
My heart begins racing just as it was starting to settle.
Then my phone buzzes loudly. Luanne’s name flashes across the screen, and my stomach drops. “This is my sitter, I’m sorry I—Hello?” I turn away from him, pressing the phone to my ear. “Luanne, is everything okay?”
“Yes, honey!” A show Daisy loves sounds in the background. “I was calling to ask you if everything is okay with you? Are you stuck at work? It’s Friday and I have my doctor’s appointment . . .”
Caden is still standing there, rocking back and forth in his tennis shoes.
“Oh shoot!” I palm my forehead, gritting my teeth. “I am so sorry, I’ll be there in twenty minutes tops.”
“I have a car seat here for emergencies, I can bring her to you,” Luanne replies. I’m in the opposite direction of where she needs to head, and with traffic, she’ll be really late. Walking—well, running—to her is my best bet.
“No, no, I’ll be there. Leaving in a moment.”
Shame weighs over me like a heavy cloak as I end the call. I can’t believe I forgot about Luanne’s doctor appointment today. Here I was, dozing off in my boss’s office.
Caden raises his brows expectantly at me.
“I’m really sorry, I have to leave. Like now.” I hike my thumb over my shoulder, my eyes burning, a hot tear rolling down my cheek. I swipe it away before he can see it.
But Caden opens the door wide, car keys looped around his fingers. He nods his head at me. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”
His musky cologne fills my nose as he blocks the door with his wide shoulders, but I shake my head.
“No, it’s okay, really, I can walk.”
Caden releases a small sigh. “Just take the ride, Fia. You’re in a bind.”