Page 65 of Resting Grump Face
A couple of hours later, when I still can’t seem to focus on anything but the guy sitting opposite of me, I go to the restroom and write a long message to Olivia in an attempt to order my own thoughts:
I know you’re still on your honeymoon, but this can’t wait anymore:
A day before your wedding I got fired (I guess, technically, I quit). Then I had sex with Ryker and stole his pants in order to punish him for firing one of his secretaries. (A good psychologist would probably diagnose this as Sympathetic Revenge Syndrome (I’m sure it’s a thing, no need to look it up)).
Anyway, he got arrested at the airport for indecent exposure (though if you ask me, he is more than just decent, if you know what I— never mind. I feel drunk. I didn’t even drink. What is happening to me?) which is why he didn’t make it to the wedding on time. (Can you apologize to Phoenix on my behalf?)
Then he tried to hire my poor ass as revenge (he might have the same syndrome as me, now that I think about it), which I declined until the O-Team’s plan to blackmail the CEO of Haven backfired and thereby evaporated our plan of saving Robyn from eviction.
Here’s where things get tricky: I get the sinking feeling that son of a bitch is no son of a bitch at all.
He’s nice! Can you believe that? How dare he??
He does nice things for others and even for me, even though I’ve made a point of being rude to him!
He even organized a strip show to allow me to see Pete get into trouble for firing me.
Today, instead of being on the 69th floor, we’re sitting in an empty office on the 3rd floor because he found out about my fear of elevators!
Want me to murder him for you?
I mean what’s next?? Is he going to… buy me an island???
You’re cute when you’re catching feelings. Make sure he sees that! And stop being rude to him!
UGHasidojai6osofkosf6slksdfjkajs6fbj
Also, what is this about Robyn? What do you need? I’ll take care of it.
You can’t. You know how she is. Not willing to accept help from others. It was hard enough to get her to take money from me and the gang to cover her bills. She threatened to never talk to me again should I involve you.
There are voices outside. (I locked myself in the bathroom to vent and to slap some sense into myself). I better go check. It might be a barbershop quartet. Talk to you later!
When I leave the bathroom, I overhear Ryker tell Barbara to take care of something this week. Both stop talking and look at me as I make the long walk back from the bathroom.
“Hey, Barb,” I greet her across the very empty office space. It’s making me feel quite self-conscious that she had to come all the way down here just because of me.
She gives me her best smile, nods my way and is about to leave again already.
“Wait,” I stop her. “Would you like to have lunch with me?”
A little surprised, she looks over to Ryker as if to ask for permission. When he completely ignores the two of us, Barb shakes her head. “No, I think I should probably work. I can always eat later.”
“Nonsense,” I say, grab the files she is carrying, put them on my desk and then lead her to the elevator. “Do you know any good places nearby?”
She looks over to Ryker again, who is still focused on whatever work he is doing. “I…” She hesitates. “I guess one does have to eat, to fuel up for work…”
“That’s almost the spirit,” I say and tell her to go get her coat and then meet me downstairs in ten.
I, too, put on my coat and when I am about to leave, Ryker, without looking at me, extends his hand. In it, he is holding his credit card.
After thinking about it for a moment, I accept it, thank him, and then head for the stairwell.
“No strippers,” he shouts after me as I reach the door.
I exit quickly so he doesn’t see the grin on my face.
Barbara leads us to a charming restaurant around the corner from the office. She seems a little anxious, which is why I order us a bottle of wine to help her relax. I suspect that is something she doesn’t do all that often, but to my surprise, her first glass is empty before I even touch mine. Maybe that’s because of her nervousness.
