Page 93 of Feeling the Heat: Part One
My phone buzzeswith an incoming text alert for the third time, the screen lighting up with a pop up displaying Ambrose’s name.
“Do you think you can handle that?” A gruff voice snaps, and I tear my gaze back to the video call.
Shit, I missed the end of what he was saying. “Hmm, uh?—”
The massive meathead of an alpha in the top corner of the call window scoffs. “Are we boring you, sweetie?”
I bristle at the diminutive, but plaster on my most placid, professional expression. “I’ll absolutely be able to handle that. Alex, could you send me the fine details once this call is over? I don’t want to waste any more of Mr. Diaz’s time.”
Like I expected, DesigNation’s douchey CEO puffs up and nods. “Yeah, I’ve got a meeting after this.”
He doesn’t. Unless you call ogling omegas at a strip club and soliciting sex from omega staff at the gym “meetings”. In which case, I should probably try to keep him on this call as long as possible. The man is a walking PR nightmare and makes my job almost impossible.
At least there’s no chance of him cancelling our services anytime soon.
With his ego stroked, we finish up the call without too much more inane commentary from the CEO. In the back of my mind, I’m freaking out a little about what I agreed to handle, but I didn’t want to ask them to repeat it and appear distracted.
It’s difficult to focus on work when my head is filled with thoughts about my date with Ambrose tonight. Him texting me during that call and being unable to read his messages right away was more torturous than interacting with that chauvinist CEO.
Alex, the actual person in charge of things over at DesigNation, pings me immediately, and I let out a soft groan when I see all the work and the deadline that I absently agreed to. I was hoping for a slow Friday, but now I’ll be stuck working late and maybe even some over the weekend in order to meet the Monday morning deadline.
Making a mental note to hide my phone and get rid of any other potential distractions during future calls with DesigNation, I push back from my desk and stretch, groaning at the tightness in my shoulders.
Rick spins his chair to face me, the unpleasant squeak of the movement making me bristle a bit. I like Rick, but now that I’m an omega, I’ve realized how damn loud he is. I wish I could ask for a private office like Lauren has, but then I’d have to give a reason for the request, and I’m still solidly in the camp of not telling anyone at work about my new designation.
He gives me a concerned frown, misreading my reaction. “Rough call?”
“Eh, not any worse than usual. Just need a coffee break before I tackle all the last-minute work they dumped on me.”
My friendly alpha coworker grimaces in sympathy, and Ifeel guilty for getting so easily agitated by him. “Damn, good luck with that.”
“Thanks, I’ll need it. That and a vat of coffee.”
He chuckles as I scoop up my phone and wave to him before heading to the break room.
It’s empty, which is nice because I won’t look rude staring at my phone rather than making small talk as I wait for the fancy little espresso machine to spit out my latte.
My pulse quickens as I read my texts from Ambrose.
Ambrose: I can’t wait to see you tonight. It’s all I’ve thought about since you messaged me.
Ambrose: Jackson has been completely insufferable. He won’t stop rubbing it in my face that he got the first one-on-one date with you.
Ambrose: Not that I’m upset about that choice! All I care about is that you’re willing to try this out with us.
Ambrose: Oh shit, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be bugging you at work. Don’t worry about replying, I’m sure you’re busy. I’ll see you tonight at 7.
I smile down at my phone, delighted by his bumbling, sweet messages. The alpha is so cute, my heart can’t take it.
“Your drink is ready.”
I startle, almost dropping my phone as I look up and find River standing behind me, his arms crossed over his chest.
God, where did he come from?
“Ah, sorry!” I grab my mug from the machine, almost sloshing some of the scalding liquid onto my hand in my hurry.
I think that’s the end of our awkward encounter, but he speaks again. “How is your day?”
