And okay, he’s not the only liar in this room right now. His work last week was phenomenal, and I was going to give him a shot at a real customer order. But I don’t want to stress him out on top of an already shitty morning. I want him to take it easy today.
Luke nods, looking a little relieved as he trudges over to his computer. As he powers the machine up, I notice he doesn’t have a tumbler full of orange juice like usual. The sight of it always makes me want to curl my lips in distaste because I can’t imagine picking orange juice over coffee every morning. But also, it’s kind of endearing. With his back to me, I make my way to the breakroom, grab an orange juice from the refrigerator, and deposit it on his desk.
His eyes widen, looking momentarily surprised. “T-Thanks.”
I merely nod, rubbing the back of my neck before backing away. Taking my seat again, I turn to my own computer and pretend to work while discreetly sneaking glances at Luke from the corner of my eye. He frowns, his eyebrows furrowing as he looks over the assignment I just sent him.
Something is wrong, but if he wants to pretend like everything is normal, then I’ll play along.
For now.
“You want me to redo it?” Luke glares at me over his shoulder, and I make sure to keep a blank expression.
He’s been moody and irritable all day. Instead of eating lunch with Finn like usual, he sat by himself in his car. Then, when Maria asked him if he used her favorite coffee mug, he made a snappy remark about having no reason to steal her mug since he doesn’t drinkdirt water.A look of hurt flashed across her face, and I almost bit my tongue in half trying to remind myself he’s having a bad day.
Now we’rebothirritable.
“It’s…not your best work,” I tell him.
He narrows his eyes. “What’s wrong with it?”
“You didn’t use all the elements I requested. Those colors also don’t complement each other well. Review the original instructions again, try some different color layouts, and maybe tweak the font. Then I’ll review it again, and if you’re still having trouble, we can redo it together,” I offer.
Practice assignment or not, I’m a perfectionist. I’m not letting him turn in subpar work, and this is a good learning opportunity.
He huffs. “This isn’t even a real assignment. Are you ever going to give me a real order, or am I just a pretend employee, too?”
I suck in a sharp breath from where I’m standing next to his desk and clench my jaw. That shimmer of irritation makes my blood heat. “What has gotten into you?” I ask quietly.
He crosses his arms. “I want arealassignment.”
I roll my eyes, turning back to my desk. “With the kind of mood you’re in today, you’re not getting one. I want you in the right headspace for your first real assignment.”
His laugh is disbelieving, and it raises my hackles. “That’s a bullshit way of saying I suck today, and we both know it.”
“Redo the assignment,” I tell him, my voice low as my patience begins to run thin.
“Whatever,” he mumbles.
My head snaps up, my palms slamming down on the desk in front of me as I glare daggers at him. Anger bubbles up in my chest, my accusation spilling out before I have a chance to reel it back in. “I touch you once and now you think you can act any way you want to?” I snap.
Luke flinches as hurt flashes across his face so fast I almost think I imagine it. It’s there and gone within seconds, but it still makes me feel like shit. That hurt is quickly replaced by anger. His cheeks turn red as his eyes harden. “Not everything is about you!”
Shit.
My gaze snaps to his cheek, immediately finding the bruise that’s beginning to make me want to hit someone. I just don’t know who yet.
I take in a deep breath and slowly let it out. All my anger washes away like a receding tide, the blunt edges softening as I remember his attitude today isn’t about me, or Maria, or anybody here in the office.
“Tell me what this is about,” I softly request, my gaze inadvertently landing on his bruise again.
“You think just because I let you touch me once that now you’re privy to all my secrets?” he hisses.
Okay, ouch. I deserve that.
Luke tips his chin back, releasing a self-deprecating laugh. His eyes are wild as he stands up, chest heaving with so many emotions flickering across his face that I can’t pick out just one. Without another word, he begins walking towards the door.
“Luke, what secrets? Where are you going?”
