Page 18 of Stuck with the Hot Boss
‘What did Keith and Kev want?’ Leo said, the instant she’d sat back down at her desk.
‘How did you know I was meeting them?’
‘Hayley from sales saw you going into their office and told everyone.’
Hayley from sales was leaving in two weeks for a company that made collagen fillers. Evie would not be contributing to her farewell gift.
She also didnotwant to tell Leo about her meeting with Keith and Kev. He’d made the question sound neutral, but Evie had caught the flicker of worry in his eyes. If her second scenario was accurate – Keith and Kev were having second thoughts about him – then his concern was justified. And having gained more insight into Leo’s mind, Evie was certain that was the conclusion he’d leap to; he was a worst-case scenario kind of guy. Even if he was being exasperating, she didn’t want to ruin his day.
Too late. She’d hesitated a fraction too long and Leo had made the worst-case leap.
‘Shit,’ he said, under his breath so only she could hear. ‘I’m getting fired, aren’t I?’
Evie’s morning had been very trying, and her patience was wafer thin. She stood up and grabbed her bag.
‘Lunch break,’ she ordered. ‘Together. Now.’
‘Can’t you tell me here?’ Leo asked.
‘No,’ said Evie. ‘I need to slap some sense into you, and HR looks darkly upon physical violence in the workplace.’
Leo blinked at her. Without another word, he got up and followed, as Evie strode briskly out of the office.
Chapter Ten
Stress made Evie hungry, so she made Leo wait until she’d finished every crumb of her spinach and feta gözleme and drunk every drop of her double-shot latte. He’d ordered salad but wasn’t eating it, just pushing leaves around with his fork.
‘Okay.’ Evie felt her stress settle to a more manageable level. Carbs and cheese were good like that. ‘Here’s what happened …’
She related the conversation in Keith and Kev’s office as faithfully as she could, while watching Leo’s jaw get progressively tighter, to the point he risked snapping a crucial tendon.
‘But there could be a number of reasons behind their question,’ she said. ‘I came up with a list of four. Well – three. Number four was more a free-floating anxiety catch-all.’
‘I can only think of one,’ he said. ‘I’m getting fired. Like I said.’
‘That was on my list,’ Evie confessed. ‘But so wasmegetting fired and you taking on my job as well as yours.’
Leo looked sceptical. ‘Does that really seem likely?’
‘I don’tknow,’ Evie wailed.
She had a strong urge to wave her hands frantically in the air like a cartoon character. Instead, she used them to fan her face and took some deep calming breaths.
‘Here’s an idea,’ she said. ‘How about we both stop panicking and think about it rationally?’
‘You first,’ said Leo.
‘Okay,’ said Evie. ‘Let’s talk facts. Fact one: you’ve only been here four days. Far too soon for you to have fucked upthatbadly.’
‘Thanks,’ said Leo. ‘That makes me feel so much better.’
‘Well, have Keith or Kev given you any cause to think they’re unhappy?’
‘No, but–’
‘No buts!’ insisted Evie. ‘Just facts. Fact two: Keith and Kev have said nada.’
