First Day of Work

NICK

Katherine was moving out tomorrow, so if I wanted to tell her the truth, it would have to be tonight. That way, she can strangle me in my sleep and I won't have to answer to Victoria, who knows how to arrive at the most inopportune moment—and will.

Because staying here was tremendously last minute, Kat had already had a place lined up for the longer duration of her stay. An old good friend of hers, Matthew Burgess, offered her the guest room in his home. Of course, with the addition of Erland, you would think that plans would change, but this guy (a lawyer, go figure) had three guest rooms, two of which resided in his newly-renovated basement.

Honestly, I was a bit jealous.

And guilty.

I could see it in her face, it hurt her to see me. It probably hurt the worse to know I married Victoria, and if Kat was any kind of a bad person, she would happy to see me and Victoria struggle. She isn't, so she wouldn't say it out loud, but I had it coming.

I deserve it.

I asked for it.

Kat didn't ask for this. And now, she deserved the truth.

* * * 

KATHERINE

Wayward Publishing was not what I expected. I knew it was big, but I didn't know it was big. The whole building took up one block in Wayward, which was like a miniature version of New York: gridlocked, no one knows how to drive, and someone's selling hot dogs on every corner. And this place was called "The Heart of Millard County."

If this was the heart, Millard County was a lifeless place indeed.

But I guess now I was just stalling to get in. Nick had wished me luck today but I ignored him.

That morning, I had debated between a pencil skirt or a flowy skirt, and I'm glad I chose the pencil skirt. As I walked through the lobby of the building, I blended in completely with my black skirt, white ruffled blouse, and silver heels. I entered the elevator to the sixth floor and when the doors opened, I walked to the back, where an office plaque read Leya Yang, Commissioning Editor.

A few pairs of eyes bore into my back as I knocked on the door.

"Come in."

I turned the knob and entered the spacious office. Floor-to-ceiling windows lined the wall opposite me, and at the far end of the office sat an older woman, eyes narrowed onto her computer. Leya Yang had all the appearance of a woman caught in the moment of sneezing. Behind her cat-eye glasses sat watery eyes, and her lips were pursed into a tight white line.

"Ms. Yang," I started, taking a step into her office. "I'm Katherine Malloy, the new editorial assistant. I was supposed to start a few weeks ago, but I was delayed with a family emergency."

Ms. Yang looked up at me over her glasses. "Miss Malloy, despite the fact that I'd wish otherwise, I happen to know perfectly well who you are."

I swallowed and decided to feign ignorance. "I don't understand."

Ms. Yang stood, nose twitching. "You have some rather important friends here, Miss Malloy. But though that may be the case, your caseload will not be any easier."

I blanched. Crap. "I don't know what you mean by friends, Ms. Yang, but I am most definitely up to the challenge of working here. Aside from the qualifications on my resume—the same resume that convinced you to hire me—I also happen to have owned a bookstore."

Ms. Yang adjusted her glasses. "Having read a book and knowing what constitutes the creation of a good one are two different things, Ms. Malloy." She sat and turned back to her computer. "Your cubicle is the one next to Grey Falen. There are four manuscripts that I need reports on by the end of the week."

"The whole thing?" I sputtered.

Ms. Yang directed a sideways eye to me. "The first chapters."

I flushed a deeper red in embarrassment. "Thank you for your time." I left her office.

The eyes that had been boring into my back were now glued to screens or manuscripts. With cold resignation, I realized that I'd left the door open. They had heard everything. I trudged over to the empty cubicle by a blonde man in brown slacks.

His head peered over the divider as I sat down.

"Don't worry," he said, offering a reassuring smile. "Leya is like that with every new employee. Just do your job and you'll be fine." His blue eyes glittered. "I'm Grey."

"Katherine," I said, extending a hand. "Nice to meet you. Is it always so quiet around here?"

Grey shrugged. "Not really, but Leya's been in a bad mood since she got word that you'd be starting later." He cocked his head, flashing a childish grin. "How did you manage to keep the job, Katherine? Anyone else would have been fired for not showing up when they said they would."

"The move was longer than I thought it would be." I didn't really care to get into any more trouble with Leya for not focusing on my work. Nor did I want to get into my personal life with a stranger. "Don't you have anyone else you could talk to?" I ask, voice much icier than I planned.

Grey didn't even seem fazed. "There's only eight of us up here, and the majority are slow to warm to newcomers. If you'd rather eat lunch by yourself for the next few weeks, I'd be happy to leave you alone."

I chewed my lip. "No," I said after a moment of thought. "I appreciate your company." Even if he is annoying and childish and nosy. "Don't you have any work you need to be doing?"

Grey smiled. "I am doing my work as we speak, Kat. Leya told me to introduce you to our office. How would you like a tour?"

I glanced at the pile of manuscripts on my desk. "I would love one."

With that, Grey began the tour. At the back of the main office space was Leya's office—whose door is almost never open, Grey noted—and alongside Leya's office was the office of her mousy, groveling assistant, Magnolia.

"Gorgeous name," he said, throwing me a sideways glance and a grin, "but otherwise a rotten piece of work."

Beyond Magnolia's office, hidden outside the view of anyone in the main space, was the copier room. It smelled of burnt paper and ink.

"Don't try to print too much on it, Kat, or the whole building will go up in flames."

My eyes widened. "Duly noted."

As we walked back through the main space, he led me to the break room.

"This is where the interns tend to stay," he said, making a grand gesture at the three sullen teenagers sitting in the back corner. "And they are yours to use if you require coffee, tea, or anything of the like. Don't put anything in the fridge," he added, "if you don't want Jeremy to eat it."

"Who's Jeremy?"

"The round ball of dough in the corner, by the elevator. He eats whatever he can find, but he won't touch it if he thinks it has fake sugar in it."

I cocked my head. "Why would that matter?"

Grey made a show of being offended. "Why, Miss Malloy, didn't you know that fake sweeteners are carcinogens? Ol' Jeremy is only trying his best to stay healthy."

I couldn't help but snicker. "I'm sorry," I said, flushing with embarrassment. "That was mean."

"Though not unjustified," said Grey with a wink.

We both shifted out attention to the main room as a few gasps circulated the room. Sharing a confused look, we walked out of the break room. Everyone had their eyes caught on Nick as he walked straight to Leya's office. His amber eyes caught my gaze as he passed, and his indifference melted into a smile. He didn't even knock as he entered Leya's office.

A few moments later, the employees returned to their work and the bustle of the office drowned out the drumming of the blood pounding through my ears. How could he be so carefree? The way he looked at me, it was the same way he used to before everything fell to hell.

"Earth to Kat. Earth to Kat. Grey calling." Grey waved a hand in front of my face and I blinked out of my reverie. "What's up with you?" he asked.

"Nothing." I straightened my blazer. "I'm fine."

The door to Leya's office opened once again and Nick walked out. Instead of leaving right away, he headed straight for the breakroom, his eyes trained on me.

Grey quickly excused himself to get a cup of coffee.

Nick stopped before me. "Katherine," he said, unsmilingly now. He held out a piece of paper. "I know you're very busy, but can you make fifteen copies of this document?"

I was tempted to ask one of the interns to do it for him, but the way his amber eyes flashed, I simply couldn't find the words.

"Sure," I croaked, taking the paper from him. "I'll be just a second."

As I walked toward the copier room, I noticed he was right behind me—along with all the eyes of everyone in the office. I put the paper through the machine and ordered it to copy.

Fabric rustled as Nick shifted his weight from foot to foot. "How's your first day of work?" he asked.

I pursed my lips. "Fine." I tapped the copier, hoping it might go faster.

"How's Leya treating you?"

"Great," I said. "She's a wonderful boss." I didn't want his pity.

The tension eased in his frame as he smiled. "Lies," he said. "But I'll let them slide."

Eight copies done. The copier was getting warm, spiking the temperature in the room.

"What do you want, Nick?" I asked finally, looking him straight in the eye. He flushed. "What are you doing up here"—I picked up one of the copies—"making fifteen copies of Leya's flight itinerary to New York?"

"I came to see Leya," he answered, not missing a beat. "We had a meeting scheduled for today, and before you ask: yes, I do meet with all my commissioning editors. I like to see how the company is doing."

I shook the paper at him. "She can have an intern do this. Why did you chose to?"

"I offered to help. I know the interns are put to good work here."

I rolled my eyes. "All the interns are sulking in the break room, feasting on granola bars from the vending machine. There's enough free labor to spare on having someone make fifteen copies of a document."

Nick was silent.

Fourteen copies done.

"I won't ask again, Nicolas." I glared at him. "What do you want? Or is it not enough for you to have to see me at your house again tonight?"

Nick's mouth opened and closed. "I wanted to ask you to dinner, Katherine. I . . . I want to tell you the truth."

I paused. I was not expecting that answer. "The truth?" I said, picking up his fifteen copies. "Everything?"

"I don't know what you mean by everything," he said, swallowing, "but I'll answer any and all the questions you may have."

"You won't sidestep? Dance circles around me while you laugh at my ignorance?"

I was interested, but I also couldn't help the remarks coming out of my mouth. Five years of silence and I had a lot to get out.

"I've never laughed at you, Katherine." He appeared almost hurt. "But yes, I will tell you everything."

I handed him the copies I made. "Do you need anything else from me?"

"I'll pick you up at seven." 

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