Page 40 of Last First Date

"I talked to my mom, or at least I tried. She told me to suck it up and pay her electric bill."

Janie snorted, sputtering on her coffee. "Oh, she did? Charming."

"Seriously." I sighed and looked at the time. "I better get to work.”

"Talk to him," she said.

I found myself tiptoeing around the office, doing my best to avoid Knox. I didn’t know what to expect from him. I didn’t know if he was going to kiss me again or yell at me. The last couple of days he had been very finicky. He didn’t smile and seemed to be barking orders at everyone.

It wasn't just the kiss that confused me about Knox. It was the aftermath and the way he treated me like an unwanted stranger. He was doing all he could to avoid me as well, like I was the one who attacked him. There was a coldness in his gaze. When I delivered his coffee, he barely looked at me.

And when our eyes did meet, he’d promptly look away. There wasn't even a hint of the fiery passion that had been there during that unexpected kiss. Instead, it was replaced with indifference.

While working on Knox's schedule, I saw the young guy that worked as a mail clerk pushing the cart down between the aisles.

"Good morning, Waverly." He smiled and reached for a stack of mail.

"Good morning, Charlie." I returned the smile as he handed me a handful of envelopes. I liked Charlie with his too-big glasses and shaggy hair. He was always cheery. It was nice to see his smile in this otherwise dreary office.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said and walked away.

I sifted through the mail, making piles like I always did. I came across a postcard from Richard. I immediately smiled and flipped it over to read it.

"Miss you. Don't let my grandson bully you. I know you're keeping everyone in line. I wouldn't have felt comfortable leaving the company if it wasn't in good hands. That's all I have for today. Love, Richard."

Tears welled up in my eyes at his sweet words. Richard had been such a calming presence in our office, always ready with a quick joke or comforting word whenever things were at their most chaotic. When he retired, the atmosphere of the place had noticeably shifted.

I sighed and tucked the postcard into my desk drawer. I had a feeling I was going to need to refer to his supportive words many, many more times. This cutthroat business was not what I signed up for. But now, it was my reality.

"Waverly!" Knox's booming voice dumped cold water all over the warm feeling Richard's postcard had given me.

I took a deep breath and got up from my desk. "Yes, Mr. Williams?" I asked in a sweet voice.

"I'm looking for the Nelson file. It was on my desk this morning. Where did you put it?" He glared at me, his cold eyes sending chills down my spine.

"I haven't touched your desk today, Knox," I replied, my voice steady. I wasn't about to let him bully me.

He grunted in response and turned away dismissively. "Well, find it," he ordered before marching off back toward his office. "I need it for the planning meeting today."

I sighed again, heavier this time. "Do you want me to look on your desk?"

"I can look on my own desk. It isn't here."

"What happens if I find it?" I asked with exasperation.

"You're not going to find it."

"But if I do?" I said with my eyes scanning his messy desk.

He looked at me, challenging me. "Then you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you were right."

I picked up a few things on his desk but didn't see the file. "Where were you the last time you had it?"

"In my hands, when I was at my desk," he spat out, irritated.

"Well, that's not very helpful," I muttered under my breath. I figured the Nelson file had to be somewhere in this mess of paperwork. I started sifting through the stacks of papers, trying not to get irritated with the sloppy way he kept his desk. Richard had always been so meticulous. So organized. Knox was the exact opposite.

When I didn't find it, I looked around his office and then smiled. I saw some paperwork sitting on the coffee table in his sitting area. I walked over, moved a few magazines away, and picked up the file. He was sitting at his desk, watching me. I held it up, wanting to crow like a proud rooster at the fact I had found the stupid file.