Chapter Ten

Audrey

I have never been this excited to resume work in my life. I literarily clocked in an hour early.

I told Tripp we are busy at the office,   I needed an excuse to leave the house. Tripp and I fought last weekend, and even though he's apologized to there's this feeling lingering in the air. Like it's one of many fights to come.

I am nervously waiting for her. At this point, I don't think my nerves will calm when it comes to Scarlett. She makes my heart beat so hard and I have no idea what's going on but I love it.

I love that she wants to get to know me even though I'm not the most interesting person to look at or even have a conversation with.

it's just easy having a conversation with her. I can't wait to hear about her weekend.

But then there's this fear in the back of my head about who I'll meet today. Bossy Scarlett from days back who wouldn't even look me in the face when giving instructions or, the one I had drinks with last week.

I never can tell with this woman, she's complex.

I hear the door open, and, my eyes immediately follow the sound. Scarlett walks in and my heart rate is off the roof. My palms are already sweaty and all I could do is smile as she approaches me in her silk white shirt and purple pantsuit.

Damn, she looks good.

"Go-good morning," I manage to greet.

"Good morning, Audrey." She leans on my table. My eyes catch her cleavage from the opened buttons of her shirt. I immediately look up at her, with my cheeks heated up.

I feel this weird urge to look at it again.

She has this mischievous smile like she knows. She knows I am fighting the urge. Well, she is smiling, so I am relieved it's not bossy Scarlett. But if I am being honest, Bossy Scarlett was hotter, if that's even possible.

Focus, Audrey

"How was your weekend with your sister, Audrey?" My name rolls off her tongue, so smoothly.

Why does she always have to call my name like that?

She remembers what I told her about my sister. She was listening. To be honest, a part of me thought she was just humoring me.

"She –"

I get interrupted by the sound of a voice behind Scarlett.

"Scarlett," The deep voice calls.

Scarlett freezes for a second. I can see the flash of surprise –and I think anger- on her face which she immediately turns into a smile. She stands upright and turns around.

"Nick?" She calls out in this high-pitched voice I don't recognize.

My eyes move to the incredibly handsome man by the door, approaching Scarlett. He is dressed in a blue suit that's probably worth more than I own in this life. The brown-haired man looks so clean.

"Have been calling?" He says, bringing her in for a kiss.

I feel this squeeze in my chest for some reason. I look away. He must be her boyfriend or something.

"Well, I have been busy."

"Too busy to tell me you moved to New York?"

I hear Scarlett sigh. Changing the topic, "This is my assistant, Audrey." She snakes her body out of his arms and walks to my table.

He looks at me for a second and nods, and then his eyes are back on Scarlett. He looks mad.

"And this is Nick," Scarlett says without including the title of his relationship with her.

"Can we go to your office and talk?" He asks with an eyebrow raised.

"Sure." She gives him a tight smile. "By the way, have you been talking to Ryan?" She starts as she leads the way to her office.

I breathe out forcefully, trying to release whatever tight hold that's making my heart feel this way.

My eyes go to the locked door. What I will give to be a table in that office, to hear their conversations.

~~~

They have been in there for barely 10 minutes and I have tried to think of many excuses that I could use to get into the office. I could remind her about the meeting she's having in 3 hours. I didn't get to give her coffee earlier, so I could do that as well.

But the question is, why am I doing this?

It doesn't make sense. So I need to stop obsessing about what is going on in there and focus on work.

Just when I am about to pick up my notepad, the door finally opens and Nick walks out. He barely acknowledges my presence, as he walks out. My eyes follow him till he closes the glassed door, then my eyes go back to the opened door of Scarlett's office. I am waiting for her to come out.

Or should I go in?

The decision was made for me when I set my eyes on Scarlett, coming out of her office and towards me.

Within seconds, before I can catch my breath, she is back to leaning on my table with that smile on her face and her cleavage in sight.

"Back to my question, how was your weekend?"

"It was fine." I give her a bland answer when I want to narrate everything to her.

Was that her boyfriend? Should I ask her? Why do I care so much?

Probably noticing my lack of enthusiasm, she stands upright and adjusts her shirt. "That's good," She says.

"How was yours?" I ask, avoiding her eyes.

"Good" She responds with the same blandness in tone as me. She is about to walk away when she turns. "Before I forget Audrey, I need the memo I asked you to draft on my desk as soon as possible." She pushes her hair out of her face.

I don't like the way she said my name now.

"I will have it on your table soon. You have a meeting by 12 with Mrs. Abrams." I add.

"Noted," She gives me a tight smile.

I don't like that smile.

"Should I bring in your coffee?"

"I drank one earlier." She says walking back to her office.

~~~

It's almost 8 and I am looking through office mail for the thousandth time, pretending to be working. What I really want to be doing is talking to Scarlett. She's working late and we haven't talked since I acted all weird this morning.

I want to see her.

I think I should just pop in and say good night, I waited this long so I might as well go into her office.

I release my curls from their tight bun and shake my head a couple of times so it falls on my shoulders. I stand up to adjust my skirt and shirt, then I pick up the cup of coffee I made for her in the break room before I finally make my way to her door. I hesitate for a second, taking a deep breath then I knock lightly on the door.

"It's Audrey." I quickly add after the knock but didn't receive a reply.

I hear a faint "come in", so I do.

"Hey," I say with a stupid smile on my face.

Her table is filled with papers and files. She looks exhausted and here I am with a smile on my face.

Surprisingly, she has this beautiful smile on her face, which brightens this dimly lit room. This is the smile I waited 4 extra hours to see and it's worth it.

"Hey," She says in a low tone.

How can someone be working for 9 hours straight and still look this good? This woman is something else.

"I made you a cup of coffee, doubt it tastes as good as you like it," I say as I walk up to her table to drop the coffee on the little space that is not invaded by work files.

She picks up the cup of coffee and takes a sip. She looks up at me with that smile, "I love it," She says, dropping it on the table. "Thought you had gone home?"

"I am about to, wanted I should check upon you."

"That's nice of you," Scarlett mutters.

"So what are all of these?"

"Work and more work. Your ex-boss didn't do shit and left a shit load of work for me, forgive my language." She runs her hands through her hair in frustration. "This company is on life support and I am pretty sure that mum would find it hilarious if this company goes down on my watch. " She lets out a dry laugh.

It's weird seeing her so worked up, she is usually chill. It has me curious about the other sides of her. I want to see all parts of her.

"Hey," I call out to her. She looks up at me and our eyes lock. "I think you are doing a great job," I say softly.

She lets out a forced breath, "What does Ms. Abrams do in this company, anyway?"

"Fuck her sectaries." I blurt out.

Scarlett bursts out laughing and I join her.

More composed, "I don't know the extent of my power here but I might have to fire some people." She says looking down at the papers.

"Whoa," I tease.

"Relax, I like you so I will keep you."

I like you too.

I didn't know when I sat down. "Oh thank you," I say dramatically.

Scarlett rolls her eyes playfully.

"By the way, my weekend with my sister started rocky, which is a mild way of saying we had a big fight. But we are working on it and I think we will be fine." I say hopefully, "Who knows, we might become as close as you are with your brother."

"Yeah no, I hate my brother, he's an asshole." She hisses.

I let out a low chuckle. "What happened?"

Scarlett sighs. "Who do you think told Nick I was New York? He is running out of ideas to get me back home." She scoffs, "That has to be his weakest attempt."

I feel my heart squeeze at the mention of Nick.

"Soooo, Nick is your boyfriend?" I drag my question.

Our eyes meet when she says, "Ex,"

My mood is back to normal. "Good," I nod.

Did I just say good?

I freeze, hoping she didn't hear. Why did I say good?

"Good?" She raises her eyebrows with a teasing smile on her lips.

Fuck, she heard.

"Uh, y-yeah, I m-mean, you don't want to be with someone who's hair was like that." I don't even know what I am saying.

"His hair is perfect."

Yes, it is gelled to perfection.

"Yeah, his hair is perfect"

Scarlett just laughs and lets it go which I am grateful for.

I let out a breath of relief, looking down at the papers. "So what can I help you with?"

"Shouldn't you be getting home?"

"I have nothing else to do." I lie. Tripp had texted hours earlier that he is making dinner but I don't want to go home to the awkward aftermath of the fight we had.

"Then I guess we better order dinner."

~~~~

I slowly open the door and carefully shut it behind me. I lost track of time while I was with Scarlett. I tip-toe quietly, putting my coat on the coat rack. I walk into the sitting room where I see Tripp sleeping on the couch waiting for me.

I have this feeling that I should be guilty about something but I am not. I had fun tonight and it's not all time I get to do this.

My eyes go to the candles he has spread out around the room, the bottle of wine In the middle of the throw pillows, and the amazing pasta he made.

Maybe I should feel guilty.

I sigh before quietly walking to the side of the couch where I pick up a blanket which I use to cover him. I place a light kiss on his forehead, which wakes him up. Because as I am about to walk away, I feel his hand on mine, pulling me back.

"Hey," He in his sleepy deep voice as he seats up.

"Hey," I whisper, leaning in to place a kiss on his lips. He wraps his arms around my waist. "Sorry, I missed dinner. It looks like you went all out." I gesture at the food and everything.

"I wanted to apologize for – not showing up on Saturday." He says between a yawn.

"It's okay," I say.

"How was work today? Seems like this new boss is stressing you out,"

The opposite,

A thought comes into my head.

I haven't mentioned I am engaged to Scarlett.

I don't know how important that piece of information is to our newfound friendship but I can't shake the feeling I am doing something wrong.

"Good, Good," I repeat, nodding. I snake my way out of his arms. "How was yours?"

"Good."

"Why don't you go to bed and I'll clean this up," I say, rubbing my neck.

"Nah, I'll do it. You just came back." He waved me off.

"Okay, don't take too long."

"I won't."