Page 72 of Office Intrigue (Office Intrigue Duet 1)
“Have you made any friends at the office?” my mother probed, looking at me from beneath her lashes.
I nodded. “Jordan and I usually go to lunch together every day. There’s a small sandwich shop downstairs.”
“Jordan?” My mother continued to cut her pancakes, only her eyes lifting to look my way. “Is this a man or a woman?”
Leave it to my mother to care about that specific detail. “Man.”
Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything. I hadn’t expected her to. My mother did not believe that men and women could merely be friends. I didn’t bother to tell her that Jordan was gay and that he was happily in a relationship. She wouldn’t believe me.
“So, what is it that you’re doing there?” my stepfather inquired, taking a sip of his orange juice. “It’s a public relations firm, correct?”
“It is,” I said with a nod. “They have me answering phones, filing, scheduling appointments, hosting meetings. That sort of thing. I get to interact with their team members, who are all remote and work all over the world.”
I could feel my face heat as I thought about all the other things I was doing, but I wasn’t about to share that information with anyone, let alone my parents.
“Well, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” Jim added, his eyes darting over to my mother briefly before he turned his attention back to his plate.
“She could be making significantly more money,” my mother said, her gaze lifting to me. “After all, that degree didn’t come cheap.”
I put all of my attention into eating, pretending not to hear the contempt in her tone. This was the breakfast segment I was familiar with, the one that I dreaded.
And the very reason I tended to keep as much distance between us as I could. I needed to remember these moments when I started missing her. No matter how much I wished otherwise, I seriously doubted there was any salvaging things with her.
•
By the time I got back to my apartment, it was four o’clock. I had spent the remainder of the morning listening to my mother’s numerous concerns with my inability to keep a job. She insisted that it was because I should’ve followed the accounting route. According to her, if I had, I would’ve been better off.
Financially, maybe. However, I certainly couldn’t complain. Since my car was paid for, the only thing I had to pay was rent and utilities, as well as the few other things that came with being a single woman. Cell phone, groceries, yoga, the occasional girls’ night out. And of course, my routine trips to the spa. I was happy to say that I was finally back on my feet, no longer worried about how I’d pay my bills. Sure, I was still living paycheck to paycheck, but I had some money left over. It was freeing to say the least.
My mother believed that being able to live comfortably meant having a hefty savings account.
Sure, she had a lot more life experience than I did, and I was sure I’d eventually agree, but at this point in my life, I did not. Not that that ever stopped her from telling me exactly how she felt.
So, after listening to that, I managed to extricate myself from her grasp and opted to stop for a mani-pedi, needing something to relax me. It worked, and with a coat of Raspberry Red Bourbon on my fingernails and toenails, I headed back to my apartment.
After stepping off the elevator, I was digging in my purse to find my key when I heard someone clear their throat. I jumped, startled. My gaze shot up and that was when I noticed the sexy man standing in the hallway, just outside my door.
“Langston.” His name came out in a breathless whisper.
“Little one,” he greeted with a smile.
He pushed off the wall, tucked his phone into his pocket, then took a step closer.
I wasn’t used to seeing him in anything but a suit. So to see him wearing a white long-sleeved Henley with Wranglers and boots had me doing a double take. Although I absolutely loved seeing him in a suit, this was a very good look for him.
As I ogled him, I seemed to be rooted to the spot, unable to move. Even when his warm hand cupped my cheek and he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.
I sighed.
“This is…a surprise,” I whispered when he pulled back.
“Good surprise or bad?”
“Definitely good.” I still hadn’t moved. “Why’re you here?”
I could see the confusion on his face before he offered a small smile. “I couldn’t stay away.”
Swoon!
“Invite me in, little one.”
I jerked, as though kicked into motion. “Right. Let’s go inside.”
I had no clue what we were going to do once we got in there, but hey, I definitely wasn’t interested in doing anything in the hallway. As it was, Mrs. Idlemann had attempted to engage me in conversation on multiple occasions, wanting to know more about the handsome twins I was keeping company with. Her words. I definitely didn’t need to add any more fuel to that fire.
