Page 25 of Pierced

My desk phone rings, making me jump in my chair. I pick it up automatically and say, “Myrtle Rothschild, how can I help you?”

“Oh, hey, Myrtle. It’s Larry down in maintenance.”

“Yes,” I say, trying to breathe normally. “What can I do for you, Larry?”

“Eden called this morning and told me you need the second floor for an event.”

“Yes, the Halloween party. That’s right.”

“OK, but she said the party is on a Saturday?”

“Yes. Apparently Halloween parties don’t always happen on Halloween.”

“Sure, sure,” he says. “I get it. But we gotta pay people to, you know, run it. So we need to invoice purchasing and—”

“Oh, yes, of course. Sorry, I’m a little distracted. So we need—wait staff?”

“Yup.

“And security, I presume?”

“Mandatory, since it’s off hours.”

“What else? We’ve got an expense account to spend, Larry. Tell me what you need.”

“Should I make a list and send it up to you?”

“That would be great, thank you.” I purr out that last part, starting to feel more like my new self now. “And you’re invited, of course. So I hope you don’t have plans. I expect you to show up and have a good time.”

“Oh,” he says, chuckling. I can almost picture him blushing. “Well, thank you, Myrtle. The wife and I would love to come to your… party.”

“Wonderful,” I say. But what was that hesitation? It was weird, right? But he doesn’t offer up anything else, so I just say, “I’ll email you Maggie’s contact information. She’s my event planner. She’ll handle all the party details from here.”

“Got it.”

I set the phone down and look at the tall, skinny window next to my office door, then squeak out a small gasp in surprise. Because Pierce is peeking through it.

“What are you doing?” I demand, standing up, walking over to the door, and pulling it open. “Why are you spying on me?”

Pierce looks over his shoulder at Valerie, then back at me, then he pushes forward into my office—into me, actually, since I’m blocking his way—forcing me to step aside.

“Anastasia, this is not appropriate behavior. You were not invited in.”

“I’m the boss. I don’t need an invitation.” So he keeps going, walks around my desk, takes a seat in my chair, and props his feet right up next to my computer.

“What the hell are you doing?” I ask.

“Close the door. We’re not done with this negotiation.”

“Aren’t we?” I laugh.

“Close. The door. Myrtle.”

I look over at Valerie again. Is she taking notes? I close the door, turn, plant my hands on my hips, and glare at him with the appropriate amount of dissatisfaction. “So you’ve changed your mind. I knew you would.”

And I kinda did, didn’t I? I mean, that has to be the reason I came up with this ridiculous plan in the first place, right? I knew he’d say no and then I wouldn’t have to do it.

“No, I didn’t change my mind.” He takes his feet off my desk, leans forward, and whispers, “But I want an addendum to the contract, Ms. Grey.”