Page 81 of Before You Go
“I’m just picking something up from Matthew.”
“Oh, are you two…” she trails off.
“No.” I shake my head, knowing what she’s asking.
“Darn.” I have no reply to that.
“Is he around? I tried to call, but he’s not picking up.”
“That’s odd, he was just in his office.” She walks back around the desk and picks up the desk phone putting it to her ear. “Hey, Franny’s here are you available?” She asks then smiles bright and gives me a thumbs up. “Alright I’ll send her back.” She puts the phone back down. “He’s in his office you can go on back.”
I don’t want to go back, I want him to meet me like he said he would, but apparently, that’s not going to happen.
“Thanks Terry, is he still in the same office?”
“Oh no.” Her eyes widen. “Since making partner, he moved, he’s now at the end of the hall, just keep going, and you’ll run right into it.”
“Thanks.” I let PJ lead the way down the hall and since the entire front of Matthews office is made of glass, I can see him sitting at his desk. He’s not on his phone but his laptop is open in front of him.
When he sees me, he gets out of his chair and walks to the door, opening it.
“Hey.” He holds it for me to come in, but I don’t make a move to step inside.
“I tried to call you.”
“Did you?” His smile doesn’t even falter.
“Multiple times.” I force a smile.
“Weird, my phone didn’t even ring.” He grins as his gaze travels down my body, lingering a moment too long on my breast. “You look beautiful. I love the dress.”
“I’m sorry.” I ignore the compliment and the comment about my dress, both of them making me feel itchy and uncomfortable. “I don’t have a lot of time I need to be somewhere in the next twenty minutes.”
“Well you’re here, at least let me show you my office.” He wraps his hand around my upper arm and pulls me inside taking the choice away from me. “What do you think?” He waves his hand out to encompass the room.
“It’s nice.” I look around. “You have a great view.” And he does. He’s on the top floor of the building with a corner office so you can see the city out the windows, and with the sun low on the horizon the buildings are all beginning to glow a pretty gold color.
“Thanks, I’m enjoying all the sunlight.”
“I bet,” I tell myself that I shouldn’t get annoyed, but I’m annoyed he told me that he would meet me downstairs, then likely avoided my calls so that I would have no choice but to come up here. And then he knew I was here and didn’t just come out to meet me; instead, he had me come down to his office, and still, he hasn’t made a move to give me the check. The reminder of how manipulative he can be grates against my skin, making me wish I had said yes to Dayton coming with me.
“I was even able to get that desk I always wanted.” He motions to the huge mahogany desk in the middle of the room.
“That’s awesome, I’m happy for you.”
“It’s nice, right?”
“Very.” I force another smile. “I’m sorry, Matthew, but I really do have somewhere I need to be.”
“Of course, sorry.” He says over his shoulder as he walks towards his desk. “What are your plans this evening?”
“Dayton and I are babysitting his nephew.” I lean over to pet PJ when he jumps up on my leg. I didn’t miss that he didn’t even acknowledge my pup or miss that PJ didn’t even attempt to greet him.
“Dayton?”
“You’ve met him.” I don’t give him a description, he’s not stupid he knows exactly who Dayton is, they’ve met and been introduced multiple times. He’s just playing dumb so that I’ll think that Dayton is so insignificant to him he didn’t even bother remembering his name.
“Are you two dating?” He picks up a piece of paper from the corner of his desk.
