But the thrill of getting to know him, complete with gut-fluttery anticipation every time I see him? Totally on point.
I tap the green accept button. “Hey, you.”
“Hi there, gorgeous,” his deep voice rumbles, igniting a shower of sparks in my chest.
“How are you? Sorry again for bailing last night.”
“Not your fault. The boss asked you to help prep for a big-time case, which is awesome. I would have been mad if you ditched just to hang out with me.”
“Well, I would have much rather been with you, trust me.” I didn’t leave the office until well after nine and continued working at home until nearly one in the morning. A yawn works its way up my throat and I muffle it with the back of my hand.
“Good. Because I have a surprise for you.”
“Really? What is it?”
“Come downstairs.”
“What, right now? But I’m at work.”
“Exactly.”
I grin so wide my molars ache. “Devin Szymanski, what are you up to?”
“Come outside to the parking lot, and you’ll find out.”
Pushing back from my desk, I start walking. “Okay. I’ll be right there.”
“See you soon.”
I end the call just as I round the corner of my cubicle… and collide with Mercedes.
“Oof,” she grunts as our chests bump, and we both take a hasty step back. She smooths the front of her immaculate white blouse, crimson nails gleaming. Her cheeks are unusually pale and her fingers flutter when she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “Who were you talking to?”
I wrinkle my nose. Mercedes never asks me personal questions, let alone borderline invasive ones. “A friend.”
“Are you heading out?”
“Why, do you need something?”
“No, I just wondered if you wanted to grab lunch.”
“Oh, uhhh…”
Bustling around me, she snags her purse from her bottom desk drawer. “There’s a new deli around the corner I’ve been dying to try. Shall we?” Her teeth flash and is that a… smile? Did I wake up in a parallel universe or did Mercedes Trowbridge suddenly decide to be nice to me?
“I’m sorry, Mercedes. I’m actually meeting someone right now. Rain check?”
“What, there isn’t room for one more?” Her light laughter sounds like bells tinkling, but there’s something off-key about it. In fact, there’s something off-key about this whole encounter. Mercedes doesn’t play nice with anyone—except for senior attorneys and partners—and she’s certainly never played nice with me. I clutch my phone tighter.
“There’s really nothing to join. My boyf—” Boyfriend isn’t right. It’s only been a few weeks and we haven’t had the exclusivity talk yet. Not that I’m ready to be exclusive. I need to get to know this Devin, the real Devin, before going all in. And while things have been going well so far, it’s still a work in progress. I clear my throat. “This guy I’ve been seeing, he stopped by to say hi.”
“Well, isn’t that sweet,” she says through a thin-lipped smile.
“Hey, we could grab lunch after he leaves. How does that sound?”
Shrugging one shoulder, she plops her bag onto her desk and sweeps into her chair, crossing her long legs. “Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t want to rush you and the guy you’re seeing. We can go some other time.”
Eyes glinting, she swivels to face her computer, signaling the end of the conversation.
The hairs on the back of my neck rise. “Okay… catch you later,” I say to her back before hurrying down the hall. Summer associates are allowed to step out of the office for a breather from time to time—it’s not like we’re chained to our desks or anything—but I don’t trust this new “nice” Mercedes. Based on, let’s see, every single interaction I’ve had with her this summer, I wouldn’t put it past her to find a way to make my brief absence take on the appearance of slacking. I should keep this meeting with Devin short.
Devin. The idea of a “surprise” for me, whatever it is, buoys my mood and fills my chest with lightness as I take the stairs, kitten heels clacking against each concrete step. I wave at David the receptionist, who salutes me back as he takes a call. Just as I reach the building’s front door, my phone rings. Fishing it from my pocket, I check the screen. It’s my mom.
“Really?” I groan. What timing. I hesitate with my shoulder against the door and my finger over the accept icon—she’s already called twice this week and I haven’t had a chance to call her back…