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She gives me a tiny wave and a stressed smile. Not her full of life and laughter smile. Something is wrong. The doors shut before I’m able to call out her name or stop them. The click is gentle and almost inaudible, but a heaviness overcomes me as they lose.
An annoying giggle breaks the silence of the office. Turning, my face blank of any expression, I look at Tiffany. Her giggles stop.
“What did you say to her?” She must be the one that ran Lexi off. We were getting along, flirting a little. I wasn’t the smoothest man in the world and didn’t have a ton of experience with wooing a woman. The extent of me trying to pick a woman up was telling her my name. As vain as it sounded, my celebrity got me far. Even when I was young and an idiot.
Tiffany turns back to her desk, sitting in her chair with her chest pushed forward. No doubt trying to distract me. My eyes don’t move from her face.
“What did you say to her? Lexi looked sad.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Helms but I don’t know what you mean.” Another lie. Another trick as she makes doe eyes at me, big and glassy.
“Tiffany, we’ve talked about this. What did you say to the woman that just left here?”
Beckett joins us, and from the sound of his voice he isn’t happy.
Huffing out a breath of annoyance, Tiffany presses her lips together, thinking about her next words. I have very little tolerance for lies and I know whatever she is about to say wasn’t going to land well.
“I just told her she should be on her way. That Grant had an important meeting and wouldn’t be out again to see her.”
My eyes move to Beckett but he’s still staring intently at Tiffany. Her response sounds reasonable, but the way Beckett’s head tilts slightly makes me think he’s hearing something I wasn’t. He knows Tiffany better than I do, so I hope he can shed more light.
“You told her who he was, didn’t you.” Beckett states, not needing her to confirm her petty act. “That’s why she left. You threw his celebrity in her face.”
Her eyes flare, giving her away as she frantically tries to deny any wrongdoing. “How was I supposed to know she didn’t recognize him? I was only trying to help Grant.”
“That’s Mr. Helms to you. That’s strike two Tiffany. You can’t keep pulling power trips just because you work on the executive floor now.”
Ah, it made sense now. The woman was power hungry, but there was something else too. She was trying to catch Beckett’s attention. Probably trying to be more than his assistant. My jaw tightens at the maliciousness of her actions.
Done with this conversation and frustrated beyond belief, I walk back into the boardroom. Standing in front of the table of breakfast treats, I eye the donuts. Lexi was right, they look really good. Today was my last day to indulge in any kind of processed or refined foods before I had to dial in my nutrition in preparation for the upcoming season. I shouldn’t have a donut, but…
I scan the printed card that is beside the box, listing all the flavors. The pastry is still warm as I select the pistachio rosewater donut. It’s light, fluffy, and after the first bite I know I’ll be reaching for seconds before the meeting was over.
“Sorry about that man. She’s been a pain in my ass ever since I hired her on to cover my assistant’s maternity leave. I have no idea how I’m going to survive five months with her.”
“You should find somebody else.” I tell him bluntly, not mincing my words. “This won’t be the last time she tries to fuck with people in order to keep you all to herself. Or to get a shot at a bigger fish.”
Coming to stand beside me, Beckett reaches for a croissant. “You think she’s trying to get to me?”
“That woman out there is hungry for power. And you’re the top of the food chain in this place.”
Before Beckett could respond, people from other departments start to file into the room. Our meeting to go over my endorsement collateral and campaign was about to begin. Finishing off my donut, I reach for a napkin. Noticing a logo on the paper, I uncrumple it.
“Bake, Rattle and Roll bakery,” I say to myself. Suddenly, Lexi’s abrupt exit doesn’t feel so final after all. I don’t know what it is about that little pixie, but I need to find out more about her. My lips spread into a real smile. Lexi had met me two times at my places of work, now it was my turn to return the favor.
CHAPTER FIVE
The Pringles Problem
Lexi
“Why do you look like that?”
“Look like what?” I ask Luna, my voice muffled by the fabric over my face.
“Like a crazed blanket monster? Are you hiding a bag of chips in there with you?”
“No.” It was a tube of Pringles.
