Page 13 of Chilled and Thrilled

Attention All Employees of E&V,

For those of you who haven’t heard, the severe winter storm watch that was originally forecast to begin later tonight, has been moved up. Our offices will be closing early, at 1 p.m. to allow everyone time to get home before the storm. Please remember to cancel any scheduled meetings.

As an added reminder, please clean out any perishable items from your desk and the fridge, as we will not be returning until after the new year.

Have a Happy and Safe Holiday!

Janet McDonald

Head of Human Resources

Ellinger & Vogel

Oh, thank fuck.

I lean forward, reading the email through twice to make sure I haven’t misunderstood. The “small project” Holden asked for my help on has turned out to be a nightmare. Not only were there design irregularities, but theprint itself would have taken almost twelve hours. My grossly incompetent counterpart undoubtedly called in sick because he knew he wouldn’t be able to get this print completed in time to meet the deadline, leaving it to me to break the news to his boss.

Also, his keyboard has greasy finger marks all over it, and I had to wipe it down with disinfectant wipes prior to use. Probably not a surprise considering the number of mini chip bags shoved in his drawer.

Using someone’s desk is pretty much the only time you can get away with totally unabashed snooping, but Vincent is boring. Not a single nude Polaroid or printout on medieval torture devices. First the shitty work, then the un-scandalous but greasy workspace? Christ. The man appears to be disappointing in all areas. I’ll have to send a drink to his girlfriend at the next company party. She deserves it.

Boring desk aside, I actually kind of like it over here on Team Ellinger. Holden is a relaxed boss, and seems to want to see me naked, which is useful for manipulation purposes. Then again, since I’m moving on and all, maybe my not-boss would be a strong candidate for some weird, no-feelings-involved sex. He’s attractive, single, and definitely not looking to change that status anytime soon. Then there’s the added benefit of him being Bram’s business partner and an ideal candidate for revenge fuckery.

It still counts as revenge if the person you’re enacting it upon doesn’t know they deserve revenge, right? I mean, it’s the thought that counts.

Either way, Holden is top-notch rebound material, and maybe I should use his attraction toward me for non-manipulation purposes. My vagina probably has cobwebs in it by now and could use a refresher on decent sex with an actual non-silicone penis.

Not caring to hang around and risk running into Bram, Iseize my bag from the desk and stand, yanking my knit cap down over my ears. I’m about to leave when a voice comes from behind me. “Be honest,” says Holden, “how badly did Vincent fuck up?”

I wince, turning to face him. The room has emptied, apart from the two of us. We’re alone. “Badly is relative.”

Holden smirks. “On a scale from one to ten.”

“Oh, I’d give it a solid eight.”

He laughs, folding his arms over his broad chest. “Yeah, I figured as much. Human resources is firing him after the holidays. So, what do I have to do to poach you from Bram?”

Way less than he thinks. I’m not an expert, but it stands to reason that it’s way easier to get over someone when you don’t have to spend forty hours a week with them. I bite my lip, and Holden’s eyes are quick to track the movement. “Wouldn’t he be mad at you? For stealing a member of his team out from under him?”

This earns me a snort. “Somehow his disapproval feels worth it.”

Yeah, no question about it, he’s flirting with me.

“I’ll think about it.” I take my coat from the back of Vincent’s chair, draping it over my arm. “Thanks for having me today. It was a nice break.”

Holden’s eyebrows lift slightly. “Trouble on Team Vogel?”

“Nothing like that. Just personal stuff,” I assure him with a halfhearted smile, edging toward the door. It occurred to me that I don’t have enough food to eat dinner, never mind make it through the biggest storm of the decade, so I’ll need to fit in some grocery shopping before I head home.

“Have a good holiday.” Holden smiles, already turning back toward his office.

I make my escape.

There isn’t another person in sight as I traipse down to the lobby, my boots echoing off the marble floors. Snow isalready swirling outside the high windows, and even the receptionists have gone. By the looks of it, I’ll be spending my Christmas eating whatever the corner bodega has to offer, because there’s no way I’m going anywhere else in this weather.

I’m busy wrapping my scarf around the lower half of my face and making sure my wireless earbuds have enough battery to last the walk, when footsteps sound from the hallway leading to the conference rooms.

Somehow, even before I turn, I know who I’m about to see.

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