Chapter 19

I was nervous on Monday morning.Anderson and I had spent hours going from store to store Saturday andSunday as he’d given me a crash course in fashion and what worked best for my body type—slender almost to the point of bone thin—and my hair color,along with pale,freckly skin.He also made fast friends with one sales guy who asked for his number so they could“hang out.”It would be interesting to see how things progressed on that front.

I’d never paid much attention to grooming and such,apart from the basics,but what Anderson had said made sense,and when I saw myself in the mirror at the end of it all,I almost didn’t recognize myself.As for my hair,he’d taken me to a salon to give me an overpriced haircut—in my opinion—which did things to my face that I didn’t think were possible.

Gone was the ordinary,uninteresting face I grew up with.And my green eyes seemed brighter,somehow…Still,I might look a sight better than I had before,but I was the same Alister I’d always been.

And now,it was Monday,and Anderson had gone off to work,wishing me luck and leaving me to face my judgmental coworkers alone.God,I hoped I didn’t spill anything on my new clothes today.

When I entered the building,the woman behind the security desk who always ignored my greetings practically launched herself over the counter to wish me“a happy good morning to you,sir.”I mumbled something in reply and tried not to run to the elevator,though I really,really wanted to

As I rode up to my floor,I realized that some of my coworkers were next to me,and their looks of shock weren’t exactly encouraging,though it made a change from being ignored or laughed at,perhaps.

I walked by the usual cubicles and noticed that conversation became subdued as I headed for my desk.I could feel sweat running down my neck,even though it was probably fifty-five degrees in the building.

Heather hadn’t arrived,so at least I didn’t have to deal with her comments just yet.I still felt eyes on me,but I did my best to ignore them and settled behind my desk,fingers tapping away at the keys as I started my workday.

“Fuck me,Alister.Is that really you?”Shit,did she have to be so loud?

I groaned internally as I looked up from the computer screen to see Heather gaping at me.It wasn’t a pretty sight and she had a lot of fillings.“Yes,it’s me.Something I can help you with?I’m kind of busy.”

“Someone’s feeling snooty,”she said and sniffed.“You’re the talk of the company,man.”

“How is this unusual?”I retorted,focusing again on my work.

But she wasn’t done.“Everyone’s in a tizzy over how hot you look,though frankly,I don’t see it.The hair’s nice,though.”With that,she flounced back to her seat and ignored me the rest of the morning.

Why did I tolerate this woman?With a sigh,I worked on the spreadsheet before me until my cell phone buzzed.I took it out and read the text message.Jaiden wanted to meet for lunch again to go over what I’d done so far and assess delivery expectations.How did he get my…?Oh,right,the company directory.

I texted that I was free,and after some back and forth,we decided to return to the same sandwich shop.I was left with a queasy stomach until lunchtime,hoping I wouldn’t embarrass myself yet again.

A few members of staff who never talk to me stopped by from time to time,wanting to borrow something or ask where to find a document.The amount of attention I received was very distracting,and when I looked at the time on the monitor,I had to hustle to get what I wanted done before lunch.

I joined the line just behind Jaiden,who was one person away from the cashier.“Sorry I’m late,sir.I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

“No worries,Alister,”he said over his shoulder before addressing the woman behind the counter who had flirted with him the last time we were here.

When it was my turn,I was surprised to see a flirtatious look come into her eyes as I stammered through what kind of sandwich I wanted.Her fingers lingered in my hand when she gave me the change,which left me even more flustered as I moved down the counter to give the specific ingredients for my order.

Sitting down was never such a relief as it was right then.“What is wrong with people today?Everyone wants to touch me,for some reason,”I mumbled to myself as I arranged my food and handed the folder to Jaiden.

“That’s what happens when you dress like that,”he replied as he took note of what I was wearing.“Hugo Boss,right?”

I nodded,and I probably shouldn’t be surprised that he knew suits.

“Nice haircut,by the way.”

“Th-thanks.My roommate dragged me out this weekend to do some shopping and grooming,obviously.I wouldn’t normally do this myself.”

“Well,you should,not that there was anything wrong with the way you dressed before.I mean,to each his own.But if you’re going to keep this up,be prepared for being harassed and flirted with constantly.If you need some tips,I’d be glad to help you out.”Really?I could certainly use the help,if he was willing and not blowing smoke up my ass.

Jaiden took a bite of his chicken salad sandwich and chewed.“Anyway,tell me about the project.Any problems so far?”

We spent lunchtime discussing strategies and I made a few suggestions that he seemed to think were brilliant.

“You’re made for this kind of work,Alister.I don’t know why the hell you’re in HR.”I didn’t kiss ass,for one thing.

I shrugged as I swallowed a bite of my Southwest BLT sandwich.“I started there as an intern and never left.”I’d never thought of leaving,either.Figured,with my track record,socially speaking,I would remain where I was until they fired me or something.It was the shiny,friendly people who didn’t trip over their laces or spill coffee once a day that got ahead.Funnily enough,I hadn’t done either of those this morning.Huh.

“Well,I think you’re wasted where you are.”He smiled at me,then cleared his throat.“So,one more week?We should do something to celebrate once this is over.I’m throwing a party at my house next Saturday.You should come.Bring a friend or two,if you like.”As if I had more than one.