7. Jeremiah
Jeremiah
Chase is irritatingly persistent.
I release my breath the moment my office door shuts behind him.
Wiping my hand down my face, I take the moment alone to think.
I’d hate to start off on the wrong foot here by denying the tradition of going out for drinks.
While I don’t drink, I could just go and order a Sprite.
I groan to myself.
Not only am I not the “socialize with your coworkers” type, but spending time with Chase outside of work is also the last thing I should be doing. These morning meetings are pushing the boundaries enough.
I’m not going. Time spent out of work with him is just asking for trouble.
Bailey taps lightly on the glass, pulling my attention away.
“I’ve got those spreadsheets for you,” she says softly, waving papers my way.
“Yeah, of course. Come on in.” I wave at her.
I sit back as she gets to organizing the papers on my desk that need my immediate attention over others.
As she files away, my eyes flicker to him across the way.
He's perched on the edge of her desk again. Is she his girlfriend? Work wife? Whatever their relationship is to each other, it’s clearly annoyingly close.
There he is, chatting and chuckling away.
Like always, so carefree. I watch him flash his charming smile at her, and it makes my stomach twist.
As though he can feel my eyes on him, his eyes find mine. He stiffens slightly, but keeps the smile on his face.
“Jeremiah?” Bailey’s voice wakes me back to the present.
I clear my throat, sitting up straight in my seat. “Sorry,” I mutter.
I give Chase one last look, but he’s back at his desk now. Eyes fixated on his computer.
Good. He should focus on work and stop mingling.
Maybe he has the nice guy facade down to a T here, but I know what he’s capable of. I will not be fooled as easily as I once was back in high school.
I’m stronger now. Thicker skin. Not as blind and na?ve.
I know better.