Sweet Treats: A Love Bites Novella Page 2

  “Have you ever heard the phrase ‘fish or cut bait?’”

  He blinked once. Twice. “Excuse me?”

  “Nothing.” She stared at his stapler as if it might reveal the mysteries of the universe at any moment. Meanwhile Derek tried to figure out the significance of her last comment. “Do you like fishing?”

  She looked up then, her face scrunched up as though he was speaking Greek. “What?”

  He adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and cleared his throat. “Never mind.”

  Silence.

  Elise leaned forward suddenly and held up her cell phone. “Do you mind if I make a quick call?”

  He briefly contemplated pointed out that the rest of the office was nearly empty and she could make a call just about anywhere else and it would be far less awkward for both of them. But she was looking at him with those big blue eyes and he found himself at a loss for words. Again.

  He nodded and proceeded to watch her dial someone and then mutter “pick up, pick up, pick up” under her breath. It seemed the person on the other end didn’t follow instructions because he then listened to her leave a cryptic message, all while pretending not to be listening even though it was just the two of them in his tiny office.

  “Tabby, it’s me. I need help. Remind me again why I’m doing this? Call me.” She hung up and immediately dialed another number. Derek stared down at the contents of the manila file that was open on his desk and pretended he was reading and not, in fact, acutely aware of the pretty woman who was talking on the phone. “Kat, it’s SOS time, do you hear me? Tell me I’m doing the right thing.”

  He made the mistake of glancing up and made eye contact as she sat there nodding at whatever the person on the other end was saying.

  “Got it. Yeah. Thanks. Gotta go, I’ll call you when it’s done.” With that she hung up and they sat in silence some more.

  For all of his fantasies, having Elise alone in his office was really rather stressful. If he was Kyle he would have charmed the pants off her by now. She’d be laughing and blushing and they’d have made plans for a date.

  But he was Derek and he had zero game so he was still trying to figure out how he could strike up a conversation that didn’t involve fish.

  “Thank you,” she said, dipping her head down and tucking a stray blond curl behind her ear.

  She looked so sweet, so vulnerable—if he was any other man he would get up, walk around the desk, and pull her up out of the chair and into his arms. But he was Derek, so he didn’t. “Anytime,” he said.

  That earned him a smile that was dazzlingly genuine.

  She stood to leave and had one hand on the doorknob. Speak now. Say something. “Good luck.”

  She turned around, her eyes wide. “Good luck?”

  He gestured toward her phone which she still clutched in one hand. “With whatever it is that has you so nervous.”

  She stared at him for a second and he resisted the urge to apologize for eavesdropping. He couldn’t not hear her conversation—she was in his office.

  “Thanks.” Her smile was a sucker punch to the gut. It should come with a warning label.

  She opened the door and was halfway out when she turned back to add, “Don’t work too hard. You’ll be missed at the party.”

  Doubtful. Highly doubtful. But it was still sweet of her to say.

  Chapter Three

  Ben was waiting outside of Derek’s office, an amused grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “What were you doing in there?”

  Good question. Excellent question. She didn’t not like Derek but she barely knew the guy. No one did. A senior account executive, he had nothing to do with the creative team and wasn’t exactly outgoing at company-wide meetings or outings.

  She stared at Ben and tried to think of a good reason why she would be in Derek’s office without stating the truth—I was running away from you. The longer the silence stretched, the more heat rushed to her cheeks. Her little panic attack had thrown everything off course. They weren’t supposed to be talking about Derek, they were supposed to be having a heart to heart.

  “What are you waiting around for?” she asked.

  Yes, good tactic. Divert, divert, divert. But Ben wasn’t thrown so easily. He narrowed his eyes at her before glancing between her and Derek’s now-closed door. “Seriously, what’s up with you and Derek?”

  “Nothing.” Even to her own ears it came out as a squeak. Crap, she was such a shitty liar. “I just wanted to make sure he was coming to the party tonight.”

  As he stared at her she could feel the heat creeping into her cheeks. She’d been caught red-handed. Ben knew as well as anyone that she barely knew Derek. They joked all the time about how he had a stick up his butt and seemed to hate everyone on the creative team.

  “Okay,” he drawled.

  This was it—now or never. “Hey, could I talk to you for a minute?”

  At his blank stare, she added, “Before the party, I mean.”

  At that moment the two guys he’d been chatting with earlier turned the corner and joined them. Fan-freakin-tastic.

  “Hey, you guys ready to party?” the one named Charles asked.

  She shot Ben a look but he gave her an apologetic wince in response. “Sorry, El, can it wait? I’ve got to get to the party on time.”

  No, it can’t wait! If she didn’t say it all now, she might never say it. She forced a smile. “Sure.”

  His eyes narrowed on her as they all piled into the waiting elevator. “What’s this about?” He had that teasing grin going on—the one that said he knew what she was thinking.

  Her heart stopped in her chest. Did he know? They’d always been so in synch, maybe he knew exactly what she needed to say to him. Keenly aware of the two others in the elevator with them, she returned the knowing look.

  Holy crap, they were basically flirting.

  “It’s personal,” she said quietly and shot a look toward the guys behind them who were talking loudly about what drinks they were going to order.

  Ben leaned down. “Can I guess your secret?”

  A nervous giggle rose up in her throat and she bit her lip to keep it in. Now was not the time to get all girly and weird. She had a freakin’ mission to accomplish here. “You can try,” she murmured.

  “Is it something personal? A crush, perhaps?”

  Oh God, her cheeks were on fire. The numbers ticked down as the elevator took them toward the ground floor. Thankfully their two companions weren’t paying any attention.

  At her silence, Ben laughed in that way she loved so much. It was a belly laugh that had his head falling back. Then he gave her that look—the one he always gave her after she made him laugh. It was the one that said she was the most marvelous person on earth.

  “Come on, spit it out,” he teased. “Tell us who the lucky guy is.” She glanced up at him and saw that mischievous gleam in his eyes. Ugh, he was really going to make her spell it out?

  Two could play this game.

  The elevator doors slid open and they poured out into the lobby. The restaurant was only a few blocks away so the foursome headed out and turned right for the short walk. As if by an unspoken agreement, Elise and Ben fell back allowing their two companions to go on ahead.

  “I’ll tell you my secret crush if you tell me yours.” She’d tried for a sexy purr but unfortunately nerves made the teasing comment sound more shrill than intended. Ben’s answering laugh was low and seductive.

  “Better yet, I’ll show you.” His voice was so low he had to lean over to talk directly into her ear. The feel of his breath on her neck made her shiver. Before she could ask what he meant by that, he caught her by the hand and tugged her so they were speed walking toward the restaurant.

  “What are you doing?” she laughed.

  They reached the restaurant and Ben pulled her inside and into a little alcove in the waiting area. “I told you. Tell me your crush and I’ll show you mine.” His eyes were alight with laughter, his face creased
in that beautiful smile of his. He was leaning over her in the dark enclosed space. And that was when it hit her.

  OMG. He was going to kiss her.

  He was waiting, his expression expectant. Her mouth went dry. This was it. All she had to do was say it. Spit out the words she’d been holding in all year.

  You. I have feelings for you.

  And then he would pull her into his arms and show her that he felt the exact same way. Her breath left her and her stomach dipped with excited anticipation. It was too perfect. Almost too good to be true.

  She opened her mouth to say the words but choked on air. Why couldn’t she say it? Her brain was growing fuzzy from lack of air.

  Breathe, for the love of God.

  She took a deep breath in but the words still wouldn’t come. It was like all the days and hours of holding them in had lodged them so deeply inside her they couldn’t escape. But he was waiting and time was ticking. This was it. Her chance.

  And she was about to lose it. Frozen in place, she could feel the moment slipping away.

  Screw that.

  Without waiting to think it through, she acted on impulse and seized the moment. Closing the distance between them, she stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his. Hard. They knocked together painfully for a second before bouncing back and then her lips clung to his.

  But his lips didn’t move beneath hers. His arms didn’t twine around her waist and pull her close in a passionate embrace. He was a solid lump against her, as if she’d pressed herself to a tree trunk. His lips were a thin line.

  They stood there like that were what felt like an eternity until a voice cut into her panic-induced state of shock.

  “Ben? What the hell!”

  Life started up again. Elise was dizzyingly aware of the sounds of people around them and, more importantly, of Ben’s hands on her arms pushing her away. He didn’t even look at her, his attention was on the pretty, petite brunette standing next to them, staring at Elise with wide-eyed horror.

  “Amy, I can explain,” Ben started, his voice filled with panic.

  Oh crap.

  The brunette’s eyes filled with tears and she turned on her heel and stormed out. Only then did Ben turn back to her, as if just now realizing she was still here.

  The idiot who’d kissed him.

  Elise could only think of one thing to say. “Who was that?” As if she didn’t know. As if she couldn’t guess. But the bile rising in her throat wanted to be told that she guessed wrong. That this was all some silly misunderstanding. That the young woman who’d just stormed off wasn’t his—

  “That was my girlfriend.” Ben rubbed his hand over his face and into his hair. “What the hell was that, El?”

  Elise couldn’t answer. Her mind and body were too preoccupied with the shattering sound as her heart broke into little pieces. “You have a girlfriend?”

  He had a girlfriend. The guy she thought she knew so well had a whole life she didn’t know about. The guy who’d been flirting with her, teasing her, making her think…. Or maybe he wasn’t. Maybe she’d been reading it all wrong.

  At that moment it was impossible to know if it had all been in her head or if he’d been leading her on.

  She barely heard him making his excuses, telling her that he had to go after her. Seconds later, he was gone. Back out the front door and taking off down the street after his girlfriend.

  That was when she realized that they’d caused a scene. Their company had rented out the whole space and everyone gathered near the front of the restaurant was turned toward her, staring at her as if she’d just performed that scene for their benefit.

  Nothing to see here, that was just a little skit Ben and I rehearsed for tonight’s talent show. What’s that? There is no talent show?

  She couldn’t deal with explanations now, and she sure as hell couldn’t paste on a smile and head into this party as if everything was okay.

  Nothing was okay.

  The disappointment and grief that had been bubbling up beneath the shock finally boiled over and Elise slapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a sob before turning and fleeing. Blindly she headed back the way she’d come. Back to the office.

  What now? What the hell was she going to do now?

  She thought of calling Tabitha or Katerina but they couldn’t help. Not now, at least. All they could do was listen to her heartache, but right now she didn’t want to talk. She wanted to act.

  She needed to do something, anything to make this pain go away.

  As she headed back toward the office, she ran through her options.

  What was it her friends had told her? She could either tell him how she felt or cut him out of her life cold turkey. Well, she’d tried the first option—sort of. So now she was left with Plan B.

  Cold turkey it was.

  When she’d left the office, the head of the creative department had still been there. If she hurried, she could still catch him.

  Quitting, it turned out, was absurdly easy. Especially if you didn’t overthink it. Or think it through at all, for that matter. Under any other circumstances she would have stewed over what to say, how to say it. But not today.

  She didn’t let herself think it through, because thinking it through would mean leading herself into a whole new world of panic and questions. So she just did it.

  “I quit.”

  Just like that her ties to Ben were severed.

  Just like that, the world as she knew it had come to an end.

  Chapter Four

  “You did what?!”

  Tabitha’s voice was so loud she had to hold the phone away from her ear. “Shh,” she hissed. Why she bothered, she wasn’t sure. The office must be empty by now. After her talk with her boss she’d stuck around to clean up her belongings at her desk, but now she was stuck with two big boxes and a growing pile of tissues on her desk.

  Her former desk.

  What the hell had she done?

  The reality of it all was starting to set in. She’d quit her job. On top of losing the love of her life and finding out she’d been misinterpreting the situation for an entire year, she was now going to be broke and homeless.

  Well, not homeless. She lived with her sister in a rent-controlled apartment and Lucy could pay for them both for a while if she really needed her to. But still. She was about to be broke.

  She let out a groan as she dropped her head onto her arms on top of her desk, the phone tenuously balanced between her ear and shoulder. “What do I do now?”

  There was a slight pause before Tabitha said, “Hang tight. I’ll be there to pick you up in a little bit. Are you going to be okay in the meantime?”

  Elise moaned.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” Tabitha said. “It’s all going to be okay, I swear. We’ll figure this out. We always do.”

  Elise made a noise that she hoped signaled her appreciation. It was the best she could do. After Tabitha hung up, she kept her head down and tried desperately not to obsess over what she’d just done.

  But it was no use. Her brain refused to stop tormenting her with images of Ben’s face after that kiss. That kiss! What had she been thinking? And if it wasn’t flashing back to the kiss it was replaying her rash speech to her manager, ending her career at Simmons & Black, effective immediately.

  Immediately! She hadn’t even given herself time to find something new. And right before the holidays? Who did that?

  Insane weirdos with delusions about their coworkers, apparently.

  Still, as much as she was horrified with her actions, she couldn’t say that she completely regretted quitting if the alternative meant spending her days trying to avoid awkward encounters with Ben.

  That thought had her moaning out loud as a sob escaped her.

  The sound of a throat clearing near her desk had her popping her head up like a whack-a-mole.

  “Are you okay?”

  Oh God, this could not be happening. Derek Hawk stood next to her desk, watching her w
arily like she might be rabid.

  Ugh. As if this day couldn’t get any worse, her humiliation had to be witnessed by Derek Hawk of all people. Mr. Too-Cool-for-School. Mr. I’m-Better-Than-You. Mr. I’ve-Got-My-Life-Together. Mr.—”

  “Elise?” he prompted.

  Her brain stopped coming up with names for the man in front of her as she met his icy blue gaze.

  Okay, one more. Mr. Sexy.

  And with that her brain was done working all together. It dropped the mic and left the stage, and Elise found herself staring up at the oh-so-serious executive with puffy eyes and a runny nose and her mouth embarrassingly open as she snuffled in the face of his gravity.

  “Can I help you?” he asked for the second time that day, his normally unreadable expression gone as his brows furrowed in concern.

  A distant part of her brain relished the fact that she had gotten an emotion out of him…of course, pity wasn’t exactly the response she’d been hoping for but at least she could leave this company having seen a glimmer of humanity from its most unflappable employee.

  He was waiting for her to respond. What had he asked? Can I help you? Exactly what he’d said when she’d gone stumbling into his office earlier.

  Embarrassment kicked in with mega-force and Elise’s face burst into flames as she willed the universe to make her disappear.

  It didn’t work.

  For the second time that day she was humiliating herself in front of this man.

  Wonderful. Fantastic. Could this day end now, please?

  To Derek, she said, “Um, thanks, but I’m okay.”

  He shoved his hands in his pocket and leaned back on his heels as he studied her. “You don’t look okay.”

  She let out a little snort at that understatement of the year. She’d packed the little mirror she typically kept at her desk, but she didn’t need it to know that she looked a fright. Absently rubbing her face with her hands, as if that would do anything to help, she cleared her throat and tried again. “I’ll be fine.”

  There. That was slightly more accurate. She would be fine…eventually. One day. Not any time in the near future, but Elise was an optimist. Surely by the time she had grandchildren she would have forgotten all about this disastrous day. Maybe by then it would even be funny.