“It was wonderful. I really like him, Paige. Like scary-like him, and this is happening so fast. It’s kind of freaking me out a little.”

“Wow, that much?” Her brows furrow a little in concern.

“Yeah. It’s too fast, isn’t it?”

“You can’t help your emotions, Mal. You’ll be fine. You’re a smart girl, and if something happens I’ll be here to help you pick up the pieces.” She reaches out, grabbing my hand. “I got you.”

It’s an odd way to put it, as if the heartbreak is impending. But I shake it off, thinking Paige always looks at things differently than I do.

“I know. I’m so lucky to have gotten to pair up with you.” I wonder how things would have turned out if I hadn’t had her by my side these last four years. Would I have made it through college? Yeah, but having Paige has made things so much easier. She’s the first person in my life I could ever rely on, and I felt like she was there to catch me. She’s my only real family.

“Don’t get all mushy on me.” She pulls me in for a hug. “Get back to work,” she says in my ear, making me laugh.

“I’ll be home late. I hear I’m working after hours.”

“All right. I’ll order something in. You can reheat it when you get home.”

“Sounds good.” We say our goodbyes before I head back to my floor, stopping short when I get to my desk. There are six cubicles in the center of the floor with full offices all around them. I’m between Skyler and Eric.

There is a sub sandwich sitting on my desk, and a coffee that looks to be made the way I like it.

“Did you see someone drop this off?” I ask Skyler, who stands up to look over the low cubicle wall.

“Some delivery boy dropped it off a few seconds ago. I thought you ordered it or something.” She shrugs, then leans a little closer. “If I have to fix one more of Eric’s reports, I’m going to choke him,” she whispers conspiratorially. I nod in agreement.

“I know,” I tell her.

She rolls her eyes, taking a deep breath before sitting back down at her own desk. Just then, Linda comes strolling out of her office. Like everyone else in this building, she’s dressed to the nines. I’m going to have to spend my first few paychecks on getting some better clothes. Maybe I can find stuff I can mix and match so I won’t need as many things. I didn’t notice it the first time we met, but she looks extremely young to be my boss. It gives me hope that you can move up fast if you work hard.

“Mallory, I need you to stay with Eric and Skyler until all those reports are done.”

“Of course.”

She nods and turns, heading back into her office.

I sit down at my desk, pulling out my phone. This sandwich could have only come from one person. I laugh when I see I have three missed texts and a missed phone call, all from Oz. He’s clearly not patient.

Oz: You have to eat, baby.

Oz: Is there something else you can get there?

Oz: I’ll get it worked out for you.

How he did this so fast blows my mind.

Me: I swear, you really are the Wizard of Oz pulling all the strings. Thank you for the sandwich and coffee.

Clearly, the man can pop out of nowhere and make things happen.

Oz: I don’t like when you don’t respond to my messages.

This should worry me, but again, the stupid butterflies in my stomach have a mind of their own. This can’t be healthy.

Me: I’m at work. Sometimes things come up and I can’t text right away.

Oz: I can’t wait to see you tonight.

I snort at his change of subject. I love how he doesn’t seem to care that he comes on strong and almost sounds a little needy. This isn’t a game with him.

Me: About tonight, sorry, I can’t make it. Something came up with work and I have to stay late.

I send the text message and wait for a response before I get back to work, but nothing comes. The silence is very un-Oz-like. He’s always quick to respond, and when I don’t respond to him fast enough, he’s sending another message or calling.

I wait a few more moments and think maybe he got caught up with work, so I put my phone into my bag and take a sip of the coffee sitting on my desk. I smile, thinking of this morning. I’m mystified as to how he knew the way I like my coffee.

I let myself fall into my work, wanting to get everything they added to my pile done. Eric was already slowing us down. I tried to show him each time he messed up where the problem was but he seemed more interested in me fixing it.

“Mallory.” Linda says my name, and I sit up straight like I’ve been caught doing something bad. I turn around and see her coming out of her office again, her face a little pinched.

“I won’t be needing you after all.”

“Oh.” I don’t understand why she seems upset. Maybe she isn’t happy with something I did. “It’s quite fine. I’m more than happy to help,” I tell her, trying to reassure her. I don’t want everyone else working late and I’m not.

“No, no, I’m sure Skyler and Eric can handle it.”

I see Skyler looking at us, probably wondering the same thing I am. Why don’t I have to help?

“Ma’am, I’d really like to stay and help them.” I’m a little panicked, like I did something wrong. Why is she cutting me out?

She doesn’t answer me for a second, almost like she’s thinking about it. Then she lets out a breath, like she’s giving up.