Page 1 of The Office Games

PROLOGUE

LAST CHRISTMAS

Dear Fellow Overstressed Coworkers,

Tis the season for a brand-new CEO!

As you know, this year marks the last Christmas we have to deal with Taylor Adeleman, a.k.a. Worst Boss Ever, a.k.a. ‘Can’t He Please Just Die Already?’—and there are two candidates in the running to take his place:

Taryn Stone & James Calloway

Now, I personally LOATHE them both, but since they also hate each other, I feel like we’ll be much better off with either villain at the helm.

Does anyone want to take a bet on which one gets the promotion?

Let the CEO Games begin…

Sandra Ericson

Your favorite secretary,

Magnolia Marketing

ONE

TARYN

Last Christmas

Seattle Washington

“Oh, come onnn! Come on, please!” I honk my horn in the stalled morning traffic.

Don’t panic, Taryn. Don’t panic. You’re still early.

“Taryn, we discussed road rage last week, didn’t we?” A soft voice comes through my speakers, instantly reminding me I’m not alone.

My therapist has insisted on short morning sessions every holiday season for as long as I can remember, and I forget she’s listening most of the time.

“Yeah, sorry,” I say, holding back a sigh. “Do you think James Calloway wakes up for work as early as I do?”

“James Calloway is not my patient.”

“He’s your patient’s biggest enemy, though…”

“Taryn, for the umpteenth time, it’s not healthy for you to give so much attention to one person.”

“I’m just asking a simple question. I bet he’s up right now, thinking of new ways to sabotage me.”

“I can assure you that obsessing like this hurts you far more than it hurts him.”

Bullshit…“If you ever met this man, I promise you would change your diagnosis.”

“Taryn…”

“Can I bring him with me to my next in-person session?” I ask. “I feel like you would stop giving me this bad advice if you saw him in the flesh.”

“No.” Her voice is firm. “Let’s not spend the rest of the morning talking about him, okay?”