Chapter 9 - The Boss

THE THIRTY MINUTE TIMER went off and Jamie stopped typing long enough to turn it off and grab a piece of celery from the Mason jar on her desk. She took a bite of it as she reset the timer and went back to work. She never liked celery, but it was really just a lot of water in plant form and apparently people could burn more calories eating it than they really consumed. It met Alex’s silly requirement of eating something every half hour, and it gave Jamie a small hope of fitting into the maid of honor dress.

“Where’s Alex?” Annette’s voice pierced Jamie’s train of thought and she turned away from her computer screen, doing her best to not look like she was ready to murder someone.

Jamie saved what she was working on. “He’s in his office right now.”

“Good!” Annette barged through Jamie’s office and paused before she stepped through Alex’s door. “Oh, could you run down and get me a coffee? Three cream and two sugars. Make sure you get it at Starbucks, and not some other place.”

Jamie blinked in surprise. She set down the rest of her celery. “Okay,” she said slowly.

Annette wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Make sure you wash your hands before you get it. I don’t want my coffee cup to smell like celery pieces.”

The office door opened and Alex stepped through, bumping into Annette and sending her crashing to the floor. “Annette! Sorry, I didn’t see you!” He bent down to help her up.

She rubbed her ankle still inside her long four-inch heels. “I don’t think I can walk.”

Alex slipped his arms around her and picked her up. He carried her into his office.

Annette wrapped her arms dramatically around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. “Alex, I’m so glad you’re in,” she whimpered. “It’s been forever since we’ve talked and I wanted to see you.”

“Let’s make sure that ankle of yours is all right. I’ve got ice in my office.” Alex walked back to the door he’d just come through. “I’m extremely busy.”

“I’ll take what I can get, even at the risk of getting hurt.” Annette pointed to her ankle. She turned and smiled at Jamie. “Thank you so much for getting me coffee.”

“You’re getting her coffee?” Alex asked.

“She was kind enough to offer it to me,” Annette said.

Please, bitch, like I don’t see through you. Jamie smiled back politely.

Alex looked at her for a long time. “I see,” he said finally. “Actually, this is perfect, Jamie. I have a few things for you to pick up. Hold on a minute.” He carried Annette into his office and set her down on the couch before heading to his desk and grabbing a pen and notepad. He scribbled something down before wrapping it in a one hundred dollar bill. “Thank you,” he said to her and then closed the door.

Jamie nodded and stared blankly at the wooden door. How could he not see through Annette’s act? She sighed and moved to her desk to switch her snack alarm off and head for the stairs. As she stepped outside she checked his note, hoping whatever Mr. Reid wanted was close to a Starbucks.

* * *

JAMIE,

Grab a coffee for yourself too, and keep the change.

For the record, you’re my assistant, not Annette’s.

Alex

Jamie smiled and then quickly squashed it. Alex had been unusually nice since she fainted and he had stopped addressing her so formally. He probably loved saving a damsel in distress. Annette had just been perfectly set up.

Jamie sighed. He pitied her. Mr. Reid felt sorry Jamie was so insecure. If she could change it, she would. It was just the way she was. She didn’t want his pity, and even though the extra money could be put toward her sister’s wedding gift, she wouldn’t take it.

She walked to the closest Starbucks, even though it was a block farther than a perfectly delicious coffee shop. Inside she ordered two coffees. Someone tapped on her shoulder and she turned to see Gina.

Gina smiled. “Hey,” she said. “On a coffee run as well?” They hadn’t seen each other much the past few days with the business of work, Jamie following Alex to meetings, and spending more time in his office than her own.

Jamie shook her head. “Annette came into the office and asked for coffee.”

Gina rolled her eyes. “I’ll deny it if you ever tell anyone, but I hate that bitch.”

Jamie ordered the specialty coffee and just a decaf for herself. She grinned at Gina. “She told me to wash my hands so her cup wouldn’t smell like celery. She came through my office to get to Mr. Reid’s office.”

“Why would she do that? She can go through the main office entrance.”

“Maybe no one was there,” Jamie suggested.

Gina shook her head. “There’s always someone there. If I’m not, Sarah from downstairs comes up to cover for me. That desk is never left unattended. She did it just so she could bug you.”

“Well, Mr. Reid came through our inner office entrance and bumped into her. She fell and he had to carry her to his office to check her ankle.”

“She’s ridiculously high maintenance. Alex should just dump her. He doesn’t even like her anymore.”

Jamie raised her eyebrows. It was not any of her business whether or not Alex’s relationship was on the rocks, but she was interested all the same. Just because I hate Annette. Not for any other reason. “Why did they start dating in the first place? They seem like complete opposites.” Great, now she was gossiping, the one thing she hated.

Gina looked at her strangely. “Actually, I think they’re pretty similar,” she said. “They started dating about a year ago, but both are so career oriented they never had the time to get serious. I’m pretty sure they use each other for fucking and for dates when they’re lonely, or they’re going to some work event and that’s it. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I think Annette wants more. Alex is so focused on work he doesn’t even see how annoyed he is every time she walks into the room.”

It seemed pretty obvious to Jamie, but she wasn’t about to admit it out loud. Her job did not include talking about the boss and she had a pretty good idea Alex wouldn’t appreciate it. Her coffee order came up and she walked to pick the two cups up.

Gina followed her and then looked around as if there were possible eavesdropping employees around every corner. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but is there something going on between you and Alex?”

“What?” Jamie felt her cheeks heat up. “Of course not!”

“Good,” Gina said. “Just making sure. There are some rumors going around the office.”

“Why would anyone think that?” Jamie kept everything completely professional, except mentioning her sister, and maybe the time she passed out. But that didn’t give cause for people to start jumping to conclusions. Plus, she was completely not his type.

“Well, the two of you have been staying late at the office just about every night, you leave at the same time, and he does call you by your first name.”

“I’m sure he calls many people by their first name.” She was glad Gina didn’t know she lived in Alex’s apartment, connected to his house.

Gina shook her head. “Not his employees he doesn’t. Mr. Reid always addresses them formally. Everyone but you. Why are you guys always the last to leave the building?”

“Working! Al—Mr. Reid always works as long as he can.” She shook her head, mad she was even defending herself to Gina. “I’m his PA. He expects me to work with him for the work to go as efficiently as possible. Why is that so hard to believe?” Hell, he chose me to work for him because I’m the last person he wants to fuck. “What goes on in Mr. Reid’s personal life, is none of my, or your, business.” She turned to go.

Gina shrugged. “Last time I checked, Mr. Reid didn’t have a type. I’ve seen a lot more significant others than Annette walk through his office doors, and they look nothing alike. Just saying.”

Yeah, and I’m sure all of them were a size two, model and rich. “We are nothing more than boss and employee. It’s my job to manage the boss, that’s it.”

“You’re sure?” Gina pushed as the barista called her name for her order.

“Not now. Not ever.” She left the coffee shop and turned to go back to the office, angry and confused. She was sure of all the rumors that would be said about her, that one would never be among them. The very idea that she and Alex were sleeping together was absurd when he had Annette at his disposal. She couldn’t believe Gina would think that. She thought the two of them were kind of becoming friends. What had her dad once told her? Keep your friends close, your enemies closer. That about fit the bill right here.

“Wait!” Gina called, sprinting up the street with her coffee in hand. She stopped running, catching her breath as soon as she was even with Jamie.

Jamie continued walking, ignoring her.

“I’m sorry,” Gina said. “I didn’t mean to make it sound like I was accusing you. You say it’s not true then I believe you.”

“Look,” Jamie said as she continued her breakneck walking pace, taking a little pleasure as Gina hurried to keep up. “I got hired to work with Mr. Reid because I’m professional and I work my butt off. I don’t appreciate the office gossip, nor will I ever partake.”

“Again, sorry.” Gina huffed, her breath coming in small gasps. “Can you slow down a bit? This isn’t a race.”

Jamie made an effort to move at a decent pace.

“I’m glad you’re keeping it professional. You seem really sweet, Jamie. Too sweet.”

“What the heck is that supposed to mean?” She was glad the office was forty feet away.

“Mr. Reid only breaks hearts,” Gina said. “He’s not romantic. He’ll never tear himself away from his work enough to actually care about anyone else.”

Jamie nodded. Even though she wanted to believe that he wasn’t at all like that, she knew better. You need to get over your damn physical crush on the guy and listen to Gina. She’s noticed your lingering looks. That’s why there’s gossip. It was a shame. He was just too good looking to be wasted in the work world. Not that she planned on telling Gina that. “Mr. Reid loves his company. He works hard to make it a success so people like you, and me, have a paycheck every week. You’re hired to work. Not spread gossip.” She pushed through the doors and headed straight for the stairs, leaving Gina standing open-mouthed just outside the building.

Who was working for who now?