Page 1 of A Gift of Time
Chapter One
“Congratulations on another successful year!” Rick, my boss, said, holding up his glass of champagne. He’d had three glasses too much that evening, but it was for celebration, so hell, let him have it. “Sales have sky-rocketed and are up by fifty percent. Cheers and Merry Christmas!”
I raised my glass to the toast and took a sip.
Working at Holton for the past seven years had been great, and I’d slowly but surely worked my way up in the ranks. I was only thirty and on my way to the top. Not without sacrifice, though.
My fiancé complained that I spent too much time at the office and worked even while at home. Both were true of course, but all of it would be worth it in the end when I got the director of marketing position—one that would pay over $100k a year.
“Jack, you are an asset to this company,” Rick said, bumping his glass to mine. He was in his early fifties with salt and pepper colored hair and always smelled of expensive cologne. “You’ll be at the top someday.”
That day cannot come soon enough.
Rick had finally learned my name that past year, after years of me kissing his ass. He was also drunk that night, so I wasn’t sure if he meant his words.
It was by chance I’d even landed the job interview with him all those years before. At only twenty-three—and thanks to the guy I’d been banging at the time who knew the right people and got me the interview—I’d been given a secretarial position at the advertising agency and had gradually proved my worth, bumping my way up and going higher into advertising.
I was a member of the creative team now, but I wanted more—to have my ideas heard instead of just executing other people’s ideas.
“Thanks, Mr. Stanford,” I replied before checking my watch and cringing.Dammit, I’m late. Again.“I hate to be rude, but I gotta head home.”
Rick checked his own watch and nodded. “I’m in the same boat as you. I plan to get an ass chewing from the wife when I get home.”
Yeah. Same here.
It was Christmas Eve, and I should’ve been home almost four hours before. A few of us had stayed after work, trying to finish a project by the deadline. I’d also had to stay while Rick met with the CEO about a new direction for the company, mainly acting as his errand boy, which wasn’t in my job description, but fuck it. If it got me brownie points, so be it.
Afterward, Rick had pulled out some bottles of champagne wanting to celebrate our huge accomplishment, and I couldn’t say no to my boss.
Just one drink, I’d said to myself.
But then that drink turned into another, and before I knew it, he’d invited some colleagues and ordered Chinese takeout and the small celebration had turned into a party.
The office Christmas party had been days before, but Rick was always up for an excuse to stay late and not have to go home to his wife.
Caden was going to kill me.
After I said goodnight to Rick and some of the other guys, I grabbed my coat and headed toward the door. Once I was out into the hallway, someone stopped me.
“You sure you can’t stay longer?”
Logan.
I turned around and looked at him, shaking my head. “Positive.”
Logan had started working at Holton earlier that year, just a month after he’d turned twenty-five. I wouldn’t quite call him handsome, because his features were soft and almost feminine, but he was attractive. He was a twink and the ultimate pretty-boy with stylish, spiked blond hair and fitted designer clothes.
Oh, and he’d been trying to get down my pants since his first day on the job. None of his advances had worked because I was in a committed relationship, but damn if he didn’t still try.
Smirking, he walked closer until he was standing less than a foot in front of me. “I’ve been trying to get your attention all night.”
Yep. And I’ve been avoiding you.
When he ran a hand down my chest, I grabbed his arm.
“Logan…”
Giving me a look of exaggerated innocence, he asked, “What?”
