Page 8 of The Swap After Hours

“Not that I don’t appreciate the offer, but I think I can handle it. You working today?” I asked as I reached for my laptop bag. If I was going to be taking notes for Mr. Marshall again today, I’d prefer to do it on a laptop instead of paper and pen. That shit had killed my hand.

“Yeah, I’ve got an engagement party I’m catering later this afternoon, so I’ve got a couple of hours before I need to head in.”

Doug had been lucky enough to find what used to be an old Chinese take-out restaurant a few blocks from our apartment. The restaurant had closed a couple of years before and sat empty since, so the landlord was happy to negotiate the rent in order to get someone in there again. The space was small, but perfect for what he needed.

“Okay, well, I’m not sure what time I’ll be home, but I’ll see you sometime tonight.”

“Good luck!” he called out as I headed toward the door. His words cut off as he was suddenly hit with a loud yawn.

“You need more sleep. Go back to bed,” I scolded affectionately.

I saw him wave a hand in the air before I shut the door. I walked several blocks until I reached the subway entrance. I cringed at all the dirt and grime along the steps leading down to it. I wasn’t necessarily a germ-a-phobe, but I liked things to be clean, and the subway definitely wasn’t. Still, it was the fastest way to get across town without having a car.

When I got to my stop, I jumped off and climbed the steps to the street above. I made a quick stop at a corner coffee shop then walked the rest of the way to work. It was strange seeing the lobby so empty when it had always been such a hive of activity every other time I’d been there.

“Good morning,” I said to the security guard who eyed me suspiciously as I approached. He was tall with big, thick muscles and looked like he probably bench-pressed cars in his spare time. “My name is Trevor Reed. I was hired to be Mr. Marshall’s personal assistant.”

“You got a badge?” he asked gruffly.

“Oh, yes. Sorry.” I fumbled with my laptop case, trying not to spill any of the hot coffee as I reached inside and grabbed the temporary badge I’d been given.

He looked it over, his eyes darting between the photo on the badge and my face. Satisfied, he handed it back. “Okay, you can head on up.”

“Thanks,” I murmured. The nerves I’d been battling all morning came back with a vengeance as I rode the elevator up to the top floor.

I needed this job to work out. It was too good of an offer to let pass me by, which meant I needed to get over any anxiety I felt and focus on being the best personal assistant I could be.

With that thought in mind, I stepped out of the elevator, straightening my shoulders as I walked down the hall to Mr. Marshall’s office, and knocked on the door. Just as I’d suspected, he was here before everyone else.

“Yes?”

I opened the door and popped my head in. “Good morning, sir. May I come in?”

“Ah! Mr. Reed. Of course.”

I smiled as I pushed my way inside. Mr. Marshall was exactly as I remembered, dressed impeccably in a black suit and white button-up with a sleek black and gray striped tie. His thick black hair was styled perfectly, and his green eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence. He looked sophisticated and formidable, the king of this castle.

“I got you some coffee.” Forcing myself forward, I set the cup down in front of him then took a seat across from his desk.

His brow furrowed as he looked at the cup. “Thank you, but how did you?—”

“I asked Kelly when I was here the day of the mix up. Grande Americano with oat milk. Is that correct?”

He nodded, surprise slipping over his face before he once again schooled his features. “Yes, it is. Thank you, I appreciate it. But for future reference, I don’t expect you to get me coffee.”

“I don’t mind.”

“There’s only one. Did you already drink yours?” He asked as he took a tentative sip.

I shivered. “God no! I can’t stand coffee.”

Mr. Marshall lowered his cup. “Wait…so you went there just for me?”

“I, uh…I wanted to make a good impression.” Heat infused my cheeks with the admission.

He arched an eyebrow. “Is that why you’re here so early?”

“Well, you told me not to be late, and I had to take the subway here because my car died but I wasn’t sure how long that would take with all the stops so…anyway, yeah. Here I am,” I ended feebly when I realized I was rambling.