Page 11 of Yule Know It When You See It
I don’t answer Rupert, for I am far too busy stewing in self-pity to produce a coherent sentence.
“That was the new writer,” Desiree answers, leaning toward Rupert and nudging her chin in Axel’s direction. “I’m taking a wild guess that Theo met him, and she thinks she doesn’t like him.”
Rupert chews on his thumbnail. “If Theo doesn’t like him, I’ll certainly take a crack.” He feigns fanning himself before turning to face me. “What are the odds he’s not straight? Slim, right?”
Finally managing to type my password correctly I access my desktop and open a Word document. “I don’t know, Rupert. Why don’t you ask him?” My tone is anything but pleasant.
“He certainly hasyourpanties in a bind,” Rupert counters.
I whip my head around to look at them, only to find both standing there incredulously, raising their brows. “Why are you two looking at me like that?”
“Talk, woman.” Desiree grabs the back of my chair and slowly turns me to face them.
In a huff, I sink and fold my arms. “His name is Axel Nord, and yes, that’s his birth-given name. He has some accent. Scandinavian, maybe? And Simone is forcing me to work on the holiday writing assignment withhim.”
Rupert blinks his large brown eyes behind his rounded glasses. “I truly don’t follow. Why are you in such a hissy fit over this?”
“Because he’s an annoying butthole.” I nod once for extra confirmation as ifIneed this reassurance. “That’s why.”
Desiree stirs the spoon in her coffee, making the metal clang against the inside with every other twirl. “You’ve known him five minutes and have already established him as an irksome orifice?”
Rupert and I both give Desiree similar looks of disgust.
“Such a way with words, Des.” I slap my hands on my thighs. “It doesn’t take long to rub someone the wrong way when they willnotget off your back about not holding the elevator for themonetime. Or when you’re trying to make conversation by stating they have an accent, and instead of continuing said conversation by saying where the accent is from, they continue to be sarcastic about it.” The words come out in a heated rush, quick, and with little to no breaths in between.
Rupert rubs between my shoulder blades. “Take a breath, sweetie. You’re going to pass out.”
“Why didn’t you hold the elevator for him?” Des lets the spoon handle flop to the rim of her mug and throws her hand to her hip.
Desiree knows I hate being in an elevator with strangers. She’s seen me do this on numerous occasions. Why is she trying to rile me up over this?
Me and Desiree share a silent battle of glares before I point between her and Rupert. “Will you both stop grilling me? I’ve got a ton of paperwork to go through to figure out how even to start this sporty holiday piece, and you guys are cramping my style.”
Rupert frowns at me and pats my arm. “Sure we are, sweetie.”
“And would you stop calling me sweetie?” I exaggerate batting his hand away.
Rupert presses his palm to his chest. “But I always call you sweetie when you’re being a brat.”
I gasp, my eyes wide, and try to suppress a laugh.
“Look lively. The Scandinavian doth return.” Desiree sucks on her bottom lip, half hiding her face with the coffee mug. She leans her mouth near my ear. “You know, Theo. There is also such a thing as tall,blonde, and handsome. Food for thought.”
For whatever reason, I clench my butt cheeks at the sight of him.Clenchthem.
“You’re meddling, Des,” I say through clenched teeth. “Quit it.”
Axel rakes a hand through his hair, which, at some point between him entering Simone’s office and returning, has gotten tousled out of its sleekness. A single strand hangs over his eyes as he approaches us, his sky-blue gaze panning from Desiree to Rupert and landing on me.
Rupert’s throat makes a gurgling sound next to me while Desiree’s grip tightens on the coffee mug, causing squeaking sounds against the ceramic.
“Hey, I’m the new sports columnist,” Axel starts, extending his hand. “Axel.”
Desiree clears her throat before slipping her hand into his. “Desiree.” Her eyes bulge at the tattoo encircling his arm.
“Rupert,” Rupert butts in, practically hip-checking Desiree. Rupert holds his hand out like royalty, awaiting a kiss upon his ring.
Axel leans away from Rupert’s knuckles before awkwardly shaking his hand in the same pose. “Nice to meet you both. The editor told me I’d work with someone on this first piece. Don’t suppose any of you can point me in their direction?”
