Lag (The boys of RDA #2)(48)
“Don’t push her. She’ll do it if she decides to.” Aspen nods her head in my direction and then her eyes find Marissa. “Plus I want to hear about this date you went on last night.”
Amanda gasps, “You went on a date?”
Amanda’s right. It’s a little shocking. Marissa preaches the anti-man every Sunday. Not that being cheated on a few months before your wedding doesn’t entitle you to a little penis hate.
Marissa leans back with her eyes to the sky. “Why’d I tell you that? It was fine. He was okay, but he wore a camo hat to the date so I can’t see him again."
“Seriously?” Aspen asks. “That’s why you won't see him again? Because he wore camo?”
Marissa sits up. “Hey, it’s a big deal to me. A man should have some fashion sense.”
“No. That’s not right. You’re hiding something from us. We want the details, Marissa.” Amanda stops to take a drink from her cup and then, when Marissa doesn’t start talking, waves her on with her free hand.
“I’ll give you the details if Simone says yes to the job.”
“That’s kind of low.” Aspen cocks her head to the side, but then looks to me with a please in her eyes.
“Fine,” I respond. I’d already made up my mind to take the job later today, but if saying yes now means I get to hear the details of Marissa's failed first date back on the market, I’ll take it.
Marissa sits up straighter. “I want to see the evidence. Do it now. Text him.”
“Okay, but if he makes me give him a foot rub or buy flowers for a new girlfriend, I’m hunting you down.” I grab the phone from my pocket and open the previous text messages from Trey. We haven’t talked since he arranged the date Friday, but he’ll get it this way and it’s better than an actual call.
I send off the text quickly before I regret it more than I’ve already started to.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Yesterday morning when I agreed to take the job with Raven Digital Arts, I had no idea Trey would expect me to start today. Monday. As in within twenty-four hours. I thought I’d have more time to prep for this. A week to talk myself out of it. Find a better job. Like maybe one of those people who stand by the side of the road and wave the giant signs at passing cars. I could do that.
I was so excited to find out more about Marissa’s date that I didn’t think through my actions. Now I’m here. Here, as in the office of RDA. Sitting behind the big wooden desk in the lobby.
“Sit here and I’ll go grab you the new employee forms.” Finn sounds happier than I am about the fact I’m now his employee. He opens the door to the back where the offices are and I’m left alone in the white tiled room.
Not even Bonnie could get me out of starting today. She took the news well when I called her last night. There wasn’t a weekend or night shift available, but she put me on the standby list in case someone calls in.
No one passes through the front doors and I’m left to wonder how many employees live in the apartments on the next floor up. The glass doors are pulled open and the breeze flutters the leaves on the fake plant on top of the desk. At least I hope it’s fake, I don't have a great track record with green living things. I peek my head up to acknowledge my first visitor once I’ve made sure the plant won’t topple over.
“Simone! Good to see you again,” the loud voice echoes in the empty space, but with the sun rising behind him I can’t make out features. I squint at the mystery man as he takes a few more steps inside the building.
Before he reaches my new desk, his hand whips his sunglasses to his head and the light clears behind him allowing me a view. “Grant. Remember we met at my grandparents’ anniversary dinner?”
I stand and lean over the desk to shake his hand. His grey t-shirt covered by a light blue sport coat is an interesting wardrobe choice, but he’s kind of pulled it off.
“Of course I remember. How are your grandparents?”
He leans against the big circular desk with an elbow propped on the top. “Great. How’s the new job? I’ve heard so much about you."
I stop the nervous laugh right before it bubbles up. “Well, Finn and I just got here so I haven’t had time to mess anything up… yet."
“Did you get an apartment?” He points to the ceiling toward the employee housing floor.
“No, I’m staying with Aspen. The good part of living with the boss’ girl, if I’m late it’s his fault.”
Although, I feel like I’m encroaching on their time. I’m living with Aspen and now riding to work with her and Finn. I sat in the front seat this morning rather than climb over to the third row to give them a little privacy. If she's going to force me in the car, it’s the least I can do.
The front doors open again, and the new mystery person is also blocked by the glare. “Finn’s not a yeller anyway.” Grant looks up to the door and his smile grows. "Trey, it’s about time you got here. Simone and I have been having ourselves a nice chat.”
Trey squints his eyes at both of us as he walks farther into the building. Under his right arm, he carries a basket wrapped in clear cellophane. The short round wicker basket has two handles raised to the sides to help keep in the pile of fruit from spilling over the edge. The rich brown color of the basket contrasts against the brightly colored bananas, apples, and oranges inside the plastic wrap.