Page 9 of Alex

“Absolutely.”

Who could the guest be?

Is it a representative from the company? Would they sit in on a team meeting?

“Do you want a normal set up like everyone else or is there anything different I need to do?”

He glances at the table before returning his gaze to mine.

“Yes, set it up like everyone else, but to my right-hand side. Oh, and he prefers cold sparkling water like me. I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

I take a moment to process what he is saying. His son is coming to the meeting. I will seehimfor the first time in over a month.

Mr. Strickland stares at me to gauge my shocked expression before grinning.

“Alex.” I whisper his name like it’s a forbidden word or a secret.

It’s not a secret. Everyone knows Alex is Mr.Strickland’s son, but no one knows about my encounter with Alex six months ago.

And that’s the way I intend to keep it.

Mr. Strickland chuckles. “Ah, yes. Alex told me the two of you know one another.”

Alex did what? Is he trying to get me fired?

“Oh, um, I don’t really know your son. We’ve seen each other at the meetings he’s come to, but-” I trail off.

I can’t tell Mr. Strickland that I met his son the night my mom died, and I then proceeded to lose my virginity to him while his friends partied nearby.

I can’t tell Mr. Strickland that every time I’ve seen Alex in the office over the past six months, I’ve had to masturbate in the bathroom to keep from letting him take me on the conference room table.

And I definitely can’t tell him I’m imagining that very scenario right now.

Mr. Strickland is oblivious to my inner monologue.

“Hmmph. We should rectify that. Alex could benefit from having a friend like you. You’re mature, responsible, and hardworking. I see you being very successful in the future.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I really appreciate the compliments because I’ve been working my ass off for him and his company, but I don’t do it for the recognition.

“Well, I’ll get out of here so you can finish upand head home. I don’t want to keep you here any later than necessary.”

I’ve already been here later than necessary. I could have set all of this up tomorrow morning.

“Have a good night.” I call to his retreating figure.

He doesn’t give a response, but I notice his shoulders droop a little.

Is his home life that bad? Does he not have a loving wife and kids to welcome him home from a long day at work? Does Alex not live there?

That is too much for me to unpack right now. I’m starving and ready to sleep.

I get the extra seat set up for Alex as the printer slowly spits out the pages. I check the drink refrigerator that’s under my desk to make sure there are plenty of sparkling waters in case both father and son demand more than one.

When the printer stops, I grab the pages, put them in a folder, and place it on the table across from my seat, where Alex will sit in roughly eighteen hours.

I’m not sure how long I stare at the empty leather seat, but it’s long enough that the motion sensor lights turn off.

---