Page 51 of Love & Other Drunken Mistakes
Go. Away.
“Looks like he slipped out,” Nick says as he returns to the main office.
“He’s probably in a meeting.”
“Unless he jumped out the window the moment he heard me coming,” Nick jokes.
Now there’s an idea.We’re on the first floor and the big windows behind my desk remain unlocked for fire-safety reasons. Climbing out the window would have taken me further away, but it also would have drawn more attention.
He and Felix continue chatting, discussing their weekends.
This position is starting to cause cramps. A muscle twinges in my neck, and I grit my teeth against the dull pain.Shouldn’t you be in the library helping someone find books or something?
Finally, Nick says goodbye and leaves the office.
Sighing, I crawl out from under my desk and settle back in my chair. Then I massage my neck. I’m so focused on soothing my sore muscles that I don’t hear the footsteps approaching until it’s too late to dive back under the desk. I tense and look up, expecting Nick to run back into my office and point an accusing finger at me.
Instead, Felix walks in, head down as he focuses on the stack of papers in his hand. When he glances up, he sees me and screams. Arms flail, papers fly everywhere, and by the time the mess flutters to the floor he’s standing in a karate-chop pose like he’s going to kick my ass in a street fight. His chest heaves from fear and exertion and it takes him a second to catch his breath. “What are you doing in here?”
“It’s my office?”
“But Nick said you weren’t—” Felix looks over his shoulder, like he’s about to hunt Nick down and drag him back here to explain himself.
“Guess we missed each other.”
“You didn’t walk past me though,” he insists.
“I climbed in through the window,” I reply, deadpan.
Felix stares at me for a moment, then shakes his head and bends down to collect his papers into a messy stack. “Here, these are ready for your review.”
I nod stiffly and watch as he places the papers on my desk.
He backs away, eyes locked on me. When I reach for the papers, his hands twitch back up in self-defense.
“Close the door on your way out.”
He nods and grabs the knob, then pauses and says, “No more windows, okay?” I can’t tell if he really thinks I’m using the windows to enter and exit my office or if he’s kidding.
“No more windows,” I assure him.Unless Nick comes back.
The cafeteria does not have windows to climb out of or desks to hide under. A design flaw I never noticed until Nick walks in while I’m buying lunch. He stands right under a bright light that shines on all his features. Golden blond hair parted to the side to create volume for an artistic swoop. Large, gold-rimmed glasses highlight his honey-brown eyes and thick lashes. Worst of all, he’s wearing a goddamn green plaid sweater vest over a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show off muscled forearms.
Stupid, sexy librarian.
I yank my eyes away from him, searching for an escape. The wall-length refrigerator seems promising. Behind all the drinks is the open area for the workers to walk behind and stock things.Maybe I can squeeze between the edges and escape through the back.
“Hey, Alexander!” Nick chirps behind me.
I have the refrigerator door half-open already and turn my aborted escape attempt into grabbing a random drink.
“Heard you were sick yesterday. Hope you’re feeling better.”
I nod once and mosey over to look at the pre-made lunches. Ordering something fresh would take time, which means I’d be in Nick’s presence longer. I grab a random sandwich and join the line to pay.
Undeterred, Nick chooses a salad and stands right behind me in line. Lunchtime is the busiest time of day for the cafeteria, so there’s at least five people in front of us. I stare at the cashier, silently willing them to work faster.
“So, I wanted to talk to you about something,” Nick explains.
