The Design(56)

I skipped dinner and tried to ignore Hannah’s incessant knocking on my bedroom door.

“What are you doing in there?” she asked.

“Nothing. I don’t feel well.”

“What do you have? A sore throat? Fever? You'd better not get me sick,” she demanded.

Aw, what a thoughtful roommate I had.

She wanted to know what I was doing in my room but it’s not like I could invite her in. I was breaking at least three company rules by submitting my own proposal behind Alan’s back, and I didn’t trust Hannah as far as I could throw her. So, I feigned sickness and waited until I saw her shadow move from beneath the door before I continued working.





Chapter TwentyTwo





Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday—uhh, Cara— Colleen—Cameron...”

To their credit, my coworkers did their best to add my name at the end of the song. I’d only worked with them a few short weeks and there were quite a few architects to keep track of at the firm. Thankfully, Peter all but yelled my name so that people would catch on.

“...Happy birthday to you!” they finished before I leaned over the tray of cupcakes and blew out the few candles I’d seen Beatrice scrounge around for in the break room earlier that morning. My coworkers did their best to wait a respectful time—all of thirty seconds—before taking a cupcake and fleeing the break room like their lives depended on it. I didn’t blame them. Getting a break from the desk was nice, but having to make small talk with coworkers quickly negated the benefits of free cake.

I watched them all trail out and frowned as I realized Grayson still hadn’t shown his face. He was in his office working away, completely ignoring my birthday.

“Happy birthday, Cammie,” Beatrice said, leaning against the counter beside me.

I mustered a small smile. “Thanks for getting me cupcakes. Vanilla is my favorite.”

She nodded and finished chewing a bite. Pink sprinkles dotted the edge of her mouth but she licked them up before I could mention it.

“You're welcome,” she said with a smile.

I scanned the room, surprised by how little I knew about my coworkers. If I wasn’t planning on leaving the company soon, maybe I would have made more of an effort to make a name for myself at Cole Designs, but it felt like there was no point in making friends if I’d just be leaving them behind in a few weeks.

So what was I doing with Grayson?

“He doesn’t ever show up to these things,” Beatrice said, pulling me out of my reverie.

I furrowed my brows. “Who?”

She turned toward me, dropping her voice so that it wasn’t overheard. “Grayson. He never comes to these things. It would have looked suspicious if he’d come.”

I studied her expression for another moment, trying to extract more information, but she was already taking another bite of cupcake, apparently finished giving me secret intel about my not-boyfriend-maybe-hookup-buddy-and-also-kind-of-a-friend. Clearly, we were still working on our Facebook status.

He doesn’t show up to these things? So what? When Beatrice had announced to everyone via mass email that we’d be having a small party for me in the break room during lunch, I’d expected Grayson to show up. I’d purposely gotten up from my desk slowly so that I could walk with him to the break room, but his door never opened.

The party was starting to die down, so I put my hand on Beatrice’s arm, thanked her one more time, and then slid two cupcakes onto a Styrofoam plate to take back to my desk.

Unfortunately, my path was blocked by Hannah on the way out of the break room.

“Good to see that you’re feeling better, Cammie,” she said, eyeing my two cupcakes. “Is that dessert for two, or are you just feeling extra hungry?” she asked with clear disdain.

I smiled and tipped my head. “Starving. Excuse me,” I said, brushing past her so that my shoulder bumped into hers—accidentally, I swear.

Grayson’s door was cracked open when I walked back into the main office. I scanned around the room. Alan and Mark were at lunch. Peter and the rest of the young associates were still enjoying cupcakes and trying to extend their break for as long as possible. Everyone else was wrapped up in their work or chatting with their coworkers. I decided my path was as clear as possible.

I didn’t bother knocking. His door was open, which I took as clear sign to enter.

“You missed my birthday,” I said as I stepped into Grayson’s office.

He was standing up, pacing back and forth while holding his cell phone up to his ear. When I spoke, he turned toward me and glanced mournfully at the cupcakes on my plate.

He mouthed “sorry” as he crossed the room and closed the door behind me.

“Hey Mitch. Could I call you back in ten? Something’s come up.”

Mitch must have agreed because Grayson hung up and then reached for the cupcakes in my hand.

“You missed my birthday party in the kitchen,” I repeated.

He dropped the plate of cupcakes onto a small bar cart near the door and scooped me up.

“But you brought me a cupcake,” he said bending to steal a quick kiss.

I shook my head. “Wrong. Those are both for me.”

He laughed and leaned back to inspect my expression.

“Let me take you out tonight to make up for it,” he said, hope brimming in his gaze. I could practically see the gears turning in his mind as he tried to come up with the exact right place to take me.