Page 41 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

“You’re welcome.” He smiled… argh. “You look recovered from yesterday.”

“Yep. A good night’s sleep does wonders.”

“And so does a good break.” I knitted my eyebrows together. Where was he going with this? “Was that your brother out there with you?”

“Nope.”

He stood there, looking at me as if waiting for me to elaborate. I didn’t.

“I’ll let you get back to work now, Perry.”

“Okay, Mr. Davidson.” I turned towards the door.

“Stephen,” he corrected.

Right.

RE: Non-employees on Company Property

Please take a moment to revisit FiTech’s policy regarding visitors inside the workplace and outside on company grounds. No visitors are allowed unless authorized by a department manager. If request is granted, a temporary identification badge will be assigned at the front desk. All visitors must then keep their badge visible during their entire stay. Such security measures are in place to ensure the safety of the employees. Failure to uphold said policy can result in disciplinary actions up to and including employment termination.

S. Davidson

Acting Head Manager of Client Operations

The e-mail was in my interoffice inbox first thing in the morning, and I couldn’t help wondering what the hell was going on now. The timing was too coincidental.

“Hey, Kate.” She turned towards me, sipping her coffee. “Just curious. Has your husband ever met you here for lunch?”

“Sure, why?”

“Did he have to get approved first and then assigned a badge?”

“Oh, you’re talking about that e-mail we just got?”

“Yeah.”

“I showed him around inside once, and he had to get one. I think that’s what they’re mainly concerned about.”

“But it also mentions outside.”

She made a face. “And how exactly would they enforce that? People get picked up and dropped off all the time. And John’s had lunch with me many times outside on the picnic table. They’re really only worried about non-employees coming into the building.”

“Huh. No problem just hanging out on the picnic table, then? I could have a friend meet me for lunch there, and they wouldn’t need to go through the hassle?”

“Nope, no problem.” Her phone rang, and she turned her head. “Duty calls.”

No problem. Imagine that. I glanced back at Stephen, who was focused on his computer screen. Probably hard at work typing out another company policy.

It was Friday. I just had to make it through the day, and I’d be blissfully free from Stephen’s prying eyes for the whole weekend. I still loved my job, but I was going to love it a whole lot more when all the bosses were back in their respective places.

“We missed you last night,” Kate said. “Adam did a great impression of Mrs. Winnifred in payroll. Nailed it.”

I laughed. “I can imagine.” The majority of people here were great, but Mrs. Winnifred had a huge stick up her ass and seemed to hate everyone under forty. “I missed you guys too. Maybe next week.” I started the process of bringing up all my workstation applications. “Have fun? You don’t look too hungover.”

“It ended up being an early night. I think everyone was just tired from the freaky busy afternoon.”

“Was Stephen there?” I didn’t look at her, trying to make it sound like an afterthought. Mainly I was just curious if he also intruded on personal nights out.

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