Page 5 of The Office Games
I can’t pretend to be gracious, so I leave his office mid-spiel and rush to the elevator.
“Wait, Taryn.” James grabs my elbow from behind. “Wait.”
“Can you hold off on gloating for at least an hour, please?”
“I wasn’t about to gloat,” he says, but there’s a gleam in his eyes. “I just want you to know that this promotion won’t change anything between us.”
“There’s never been ‘anything’ between us.”
“Exactly.” He smirks. “You’ll keep working hard, so will I, and I hope you won’t take me being your new boss personally.”
“As long as you don’t go on a power trip.”
“I would never.”
The doors glide open, and I step inside.
He doesn’t join me, though.
“I’m going to stay up here and look into how I want my new office furnished,” he says. “Since you mentioned needing an hour to mope, I’d like a coffee with two sugars and a splash of caramel when you’re finished.”
“You have a personal assistant for that.”
“I’ve just decided to make you my backup.”
I glare at him. “This better be one of your stupid little games…”
“Don’t worry, I’m not knocking you down a pay grade. I’m increasing your pay by thirty percent.”
“I’d rather keep my same job at the same rate.”
“That’d be silly, Miss Stone,” he says. “You’ll get to spend more time under me this way. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”
The doors shut before I can jump off and strangle him.
ONE (B)
TARYN
Georgia (Cousin)
Congrats on your big promotion! I know you got it!
How are you celebrating being the new CEO?
Call me so I can serenade you for the big WIN!
I wipe away tears as I read the messages.I don’t have the heart to tell anyone the news yet; I need to finish processing it myself.
Walking up my condo’s steps, I slip inside and hit the lights.
I drop my purse to the floor in shock.
My living room has been transformed from its usual grey and black decor into a stunning emerald green and silver winter wonderland.
A golden miniature train whistles along tracks that travel down the hall and into the kitchen.
Strands of gleaming garland line every inch of my mantle, and perfectly wrapped red gifts are stacked in the corner.