Layers(84)

“Hey gorgeous,” Ian steps over to rest his hand on my waist.

“How did it go?” I ask, not sure that now would be the right time to ask with Josh still around, but the words have already left my mouth.

“Quite good,” Josh answers my question, looking pleased.

“Okay. Ian, it was an absolute pleasure. Hayley can see you to the door.”

“Thank you, Joshua.”

Joshua? They both exchange an enigmatic beam before Josh, Joshua, leaves.

“What the hell, Ian?” I whisper behind gritted teeth.

“He totally came on to me.”

“Josh? Are you kidding me?” I whisper even quieter. Ian smirks. “He’s gay?” I ask, just to make sure I understand the clues that have been blinking from all over the place.

“I think that ever since you were Danielized your gaydar hasn’t been working so well. Hell, Hales, most of the left side of your brain isn’t doing such swell work lately either.”

“Hilarious,” I snicker, sneering.

Considering what’s at stake, I warn him, “Ian, for all that’s good in this world, please, don’t get involved with my boss.” I air quote ‘involve’. As if Ian really gets involved with anybody. Ian doesn’t do involved. He just leaves casualties as he swifts by.

He looks as if he’s actually contemplating my request. “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to put your job at risk.”

I hug him.

“And anyway, we both know I don’t go for the Abercrombie type.”

We exchange animated stares that lead to a short laugh.

“Now let’s get you out of here so I can keep doing this thing I do around here that I get paid for.”

Before Ian leaves he tells me that he should get an answer within a couple of weeks.

When I get back to my seat I notice a sticky note on my desk.

Come to see me. Josh

All of a sudden the new revelation about my boss’s sexual preferences becomes nothing but obvious. How have I missed this?

“Close the door and sit down please,” Josh requests, his expression hard to read. I close the door and sit waiting for him to begin.

“I got a call from Bryan earlier.”

Bryan as in Bryan the editor? Here we go. My first strikeout. And before he actually says something I interrupt, “I didn’t have the chance to tell you beforehand, but I take complete responsibility. For failing to send the work on time.”

He studies me, making a visible effort when choosing his words.

“That happens, but I expect you to know how to manage people’s expectations, especially with the content unit.” He scratches an invisible spot at the side of his desk, gradually turning to face me. “In other words, Hayley, master the ability to evade any blame sticking to you or to our department.”

Come again … Did he just tell me it’s okay to mess up but not take the blame? This is definitely not what I expected.

“Clear?” His eyes are solid on mine.

“I believe it is,” I say tentatively. And thank you for the office politics 101.

And as though that were only a side matter not to be given too much attention, Josh says next, “Ian made quite an impression.”

On whom exactly? You?

“Did the focus group like him?”

Josh grins, “As a matter of fact they did. A lot.” He looks as if he’s enjoying a private joke.

“He is quite the charmer,” I confirm.

I smile fondly, thinking of Ian’s irresistible charisma.

“The two of you are pretty close, aren’t you?”

Where is he taking this? No, don’t worry, we aren’t a couple …

“Yes, we are. He’s one of my closest friends.”

“I see,” he purrs, pensively, pauses for a brief while, perhaps considering further interrogation. But instead he just mutters, “It would be nice if they end up choosing him.”




I nod in confirmation, and need to bite my tongue. If I could only speak freely in some situations. Way too revealing, boss.

“For you of course,” he adds, a moment too late.

Let’s just say that didn’t sound awkward at all and leave it at that.

“Yes, I’d be thrilled,” I add.

Not sure anymore if that would be such a good idea after all, given your Cheshire cat grin, boss.

“Okay then, Hayley, have a good evening,” he concludes. He walks me to my station before he heads home.

I am left somewhat cross after Josh leaves. Beginning with the fact that I don’t like having slip-ups with my name on them and continuing with the fact that I don’t like my boss obsessing over my best friend. Nothing good can come out of either of the two.

Checking out the time, I realize it’s already a quarter past six. I decide to work for another hour and then go straight to Daniel’s. Thinking of how the latter part of my evening will probably end, my spirits immediately lift. When I’m deep into my work I’m distracted by my vibrating phone. Still absorbed I answer.

“Hayley, can you come out? I’m in front of your building.”

Daniel? Missed me too much, not able to withstand temptation? My lips instinctively stretch to a smile. “Hey,” I reply. “Why don’t you come in?”