Page 57 of Dark Endures

It’s just a pastry. I knock on the open door to his office.

“Come in.”

See, I’m not the only one that works too much. He’s always here. “Hey.”

Maddox is at the back of his massive office with his head buried in paperwork and Hot Dog sliding around his desk.

What exactly does he do that he needs to work this much? If I was as rich as he is, I would sit at home and eat bonbons all day watching soaps.

And you’d be bored in ten minutes.

Well, maybe two weeks. Two weeks of absolutely nothing would be so nice.

I must have said that too quietly. “Hey.”

His head pops up. “Mindy. Is everything okay?”

Why do people keep asking that? “Just fine. I took a break and stopped by the bakery. You’ve got to try their napoleons.” Like a little kid waiting for praise that’s sure to never come, I hold out the bag. When was the last time I bought anything for anyone?

The fear in my belly shouldn’t be this extreme over a nothing dessert.

“You brought me a napoleon.” He stares at the little bag.

“Yeah. They’re the best.” Please take it. Even if you throw it out later. Just please take it. “Though you might want to eat it carefully, they’re very messy.” I spent a few minutes brushing off crumbs before I left the park.

He just stares at the bag.

Willing him to take the bag doesn’t seem to be working. Maybe I should have quit.

Maddox always seemed to enjoy dessert before.

All of the sudden, he moves towards me, taking the bag. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. See you later.” I turn to move toward the door.

“Wait, you aren’t going to eat with me and give me a chance to beat you at chess.”

It’s tempting… way too tempting. Especially with that smile of his. “Sorry. I have things to do this afternoon.” And I already wasted so much time. “Rain check.”

“Sure. Will you be back later this evening?”

Like I have time to miss an evening. “Yup.”

“Dinner then?”

“It’s a date.” Why did I just say that? He’s my boss. It’s just a break.

“See you then.”

Can I get the plague before tonight?

***

I need to do laundry more often. This is absolutely nuts. I drag the fourth load down to the basement.

Who decided that the laundry room in all apartment buildings need to be in the creepy basement? At least they could put up a few more lights.

Or fix the flickering ones.

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