morning routine, not wanting to be late for work. But by the time I’m finally getting out the door I pause. Why am I rushing? He wasn't here when I woke up.
My lips purse precariously close to a frown. They never do that. Again, he is going to make me do something that I don’t normally do. I should send him a text saying I’m not coming to work, but the need to go in and be a brat pulls me down the stairs and out the front doors of my building. Now he’s gone and ruined my happy mood, and he’s going to deal with the consequences of his actions.
“Ms. Lavine.” A man in a suit calls to me. He opens the door to a town car parked at the curb. “I'm here to take you to work.”
Ohhh. This must be Mr. Baxter’s way of making sure I get to my desk on time. I hope he doesn’t think this will get him an inch of mercy.
“Fine.” I nod with a huff. The man's eyebrows rise. “I’m sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. That rudeness is meant for Mr. Baxter. You can tell him I did it, too.”
The man quirks a smile.
“Call me Georgia please.” I hold my hand out.
“Carter.” He shakes my hand. “I’ll be sure to let him know.”
Thank you.” I give him a bright smile. “You can drive as slow as you like,” I add.
“I wish I could oblige, but I like my job.”
“Fine. I don’t want to get you in trouble.” I slip into the back of the car and open my bag so that Mr. Grumpy Pants can poke his head out. Of course he doesn't, because his cute butt went back to sleep. I ponder ways to get back at Liam the whole way to the office. I can’t believe he up and left without a word. Isn’t that what immature, mean guys do? They skip out in the morning so they don’t have to face anything? The thought of Liam not wanting to stay this morning threatens to ruin my day so I push it aside. I’m not thinking of him as Liam today, I’m only going to refer to him as Mr. Baxter.
When we pull up to the building, I think I’ve come up with a way to respond to his actions. He wants to slip out on me, fine, but two can play that game. I’m going to ignore him. I’m going to be cold toward him. It’s going to take everything I have to pull it off, because it goes against my nature. He doesn’t deserve to have sunshine after what he pulled. I bet this will drive him crazy. He pretty much lost it when he thought that I was going to be absent from work, so this should needle him a bit. Let’s see how it goes when I don’t give him the time of day. I’m not even going to give him one of my smiles.
I get to my desk and get Mr. Grumpy Pants situated while reminding him that we’re not talking to Mr. Baxter today and he’s not to be nice to him. My little cutie purrs in agreement as I give his ears a quick rub. I work for a little while, but my curiosity gets the best of me. Before I know it, I’m up and heading towards Mr. Baxter’s office. I poke my head inside without knocking, needing to know if he’s there. He looks up when he sees me. He starts to rise from his chair, but I dart back to my desk.
“Errands to run!” I shout as I close the door quickly behind me.
“I’ve got to get ready for the gala. You behave,” I tell Mr. Grumpy Pants as I head down the hall. “Wait. Be bad,” I amend as I hop onto the elevator.
Mr. Baxter comes bolting out of his office as the door closes. I give him a wave goodbye, but I don’t smile. That’ll teach him.
Before the elevator can even move, my phone starts blowing up.
Mr. Baxter: Get back here.
Me: Nope. I have to get all dolled up. Keep an eye on Mr. Grumpy Pants. His suit should be coming today.
Mr. Baxter: He’s coming with us?
Me: No. Don’t be silly. I just don’t want him to feel left out.
Wait until he sees what that suit cost him. I won’t sit down for a week. That thought brings a smile to my face for the first