Page 1 of Obeying the Owner
CHAPTER 1
MAEVE
My high heels echo increasingly faster against the shiny marble floor as I rush toward the elevator, where my coworker Sheryl is waiting for me.
“You’re a lifesaver,” I say as I step inside.
When I cross the threshold, she lets the doors close and whispers to me, “How was your date last night? Did you get lucky? Is that why you’re running late?”
“There was no date; therefore, I didn’t get lucky, and I’m not late. I’m just not as early as usual.”
“What happened? Did you chicken out?” She keeps pushing for an answer.
My lips pressing in a hard line, I send a perturbed look her way. “No, I did not. Randy stood me up.”
Her eyebrows rise, disappearing under her bangs. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“Nope. I went to the restaurant where we agreed to meet and waited at the bar for an hour before I finally left.”
“Did he text or call?”
“No.”
Her brown eyes narrow. “What a piece of shit. I’m going to kick his ass.”
She looks like she means it. I’m a little worried for Randy.
“No, don’t get worked up. It’s not a big deal. It’s not like we had sex and then he ghosted me.”
“I know, but I was the one who told you to go out with him. I thought you two would be a good match.”
I shrug. “And now I know we aren’t.”
The elevator stops on the top floor. The door slides open, and we step out together. Sheryl touches my arm. “Maeve, I’m so sorry my cousin stood you up.”
I smile. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m not angry with you.”
“What do you say we get together for lunch? We can make a revenge plan against Randy.” She smirks.
“I’m game for lunch, but let’s hold off on planning your cousin’s demise for now.”
She shakes her head. “You’re too nice, girl.”
“Maybe he had a good reason.”
“If he did, will you give him another chance?” she asks.
My lips roll inward as I think. “Probably not. It’s a bad idea to date someone I work with. I never should’ve said yes to begin with.”
Sheryl glances at her watch. “We better hustle, or we’ll be late. I’ll see you downstairs at twelve thirty.”
“Don’t stand me up,” I joke, walking away.
“As if,” she calls out.
I’m still smiling when I round the corner, but my smile quickly turns into a frown when I see Randy walking toward me.
“Maeve, can I talk to you?”