Chapter 08

Marissa's Pov

Jack Tinsel? The Jack Tinsel?

I didn't even really know the guy. I only ever saw him during general conference meetings and officially met him what? Twice? Thinking about it now, I wasn't sure I fully remembered what he looked like.

Bridget had refused to give me more details. Giggling non stop saying she'll tell me the rest tomorrow.

Which was today. I was eager to know what the conversation was about. But at the same time,...not?

And exactly how had she gotten into the CEO's friend circle anyway? Gotten in enough to pitch me to him.

Because I refuse to believe he asked about me out of the blue. Knowing Bree, she'd probably gotten the wild idea to sell me off to the CEO and gave him a glowing recommendation of me. Probably added some white lies in there to sweeten the deal and butter me up nice. Wouldn't be the first time.

Oh jeez. I took in several deep breaths trying to calm my nerves down. I took off my seatbelt, took one last look at myself in the mirror and then stepped out.

No, I hadn't dressed extra special today. Or at least that's what I was going to tell Bree if she asked.

When she asked. She was definitely going to ask.

She was the first person I saw when I stepped off the elevator.

“Heyyyy. You're early to work today." She smirked.

“I'm always early to work Bree." I rolled my eyes as she fell into step beside me.

“Mmhmm, but you don't always wear that skirt now do ya? In fact, I'm pretty sure I haven't seen it on you before." She winked.

" What? This old thing?” I snorted, " please. Now what was it you were saying about Jack?”

" Sshhhh. Not too loud. And not out here. Bathroom. come on.” She grabbed my elbow and led me to the bathroom.

I stood awkwardly by the door while she did a quick check of all the stalls to make sure they were empty.

“Ok. All clear. Now, you're going to be on your best and sexiest behavior today." She said, clapping her hands together with glee.

“Oh God Bree! What did you do? What did you say?" I groaned, dropping my bag on the counter.

“Nothing." She protested but her voice was an octave higher and her eyebrows climbed up to hide somewhere in her bangs.

“Breee… ..”

" I didn't say much, I swear. He asked about you first.”

" Asked about me? But why? I've never even spoken to him."

“Who cares why? He's the CEO and he's hot and he's interested in you.” She flicked out a strand of hair from my face, " Seriously, I'm more excited about this than you are.”

" That's because I'm confused. Why me? And why was he asking you? Since when did you and Jack become friends?”

" Oh we aren't really friends. I overheard him asking your name from Nigel when I was at the bar last night and I said i knew you and he asked a few questions and…..”

" Bar? Nigel?” My head was swimming.

" Look, it doesn't matter. He's probably going to come say hi to you today. Just wanted you to be prepared so you don't screw it up.” She brushed off invisible dust from the collar of my lavender shirt.

" Screw up? I'm not a child." I rolled my eyes.

“No but you tend to….well, you know…drive them away somehow.”

" Because I'm never interested.” I said in exasperation.

" Yeah and I need you to be interested this time.”

The door opened and a coworker walked in. She looked at us suspiciously as she slipped into the stall farthest from us.

“We'll just have to see if I'm interested enough this time." I whispered as I picked up my bag

“Yeahhhhh, I mean I see you made an effort but…Lavender? Really?” She whispered back, blinking at my outfit with disapproval.

" What's wrong with it?” I glanced down at my shirt.

She sighed dramatically, " Well lavender isn't really your color but it's okay. Just don't wear this colour to the party tomorrow.”

" Oh that's easy. I'm not going.” I shrugged.

" What?! You're kidding right?” She whispered furiously.

" Bree, you know me better than that. So you know I'm not. We need to get back to our desks before people think we're in here doing drugs or something.” I glanced pointedly at the occupied stall.

“You're going to that party." She wagged a finger in my face, “Even if I have to drag you by the hair along with me."

I rolled my eyes at her again and walked out of the bathroom with her following closely behind, muttering and grumbling to herself. She couldn't make me go if I didn't want to and she knew that. I hated parties. Office parties got special hate points. Double points if they were themed.

The entire day went by rather uneventfully. I kept waiting to see Jack Tinsel walk in through the doors and head straight to my cubicle but he didn't show. Maybe Bridget had been mistaken and he wasn't interested in me? Or maybe he had lost his nerve.

Either way, the day went by with me being tense for no reason and when office hours were over, I breathed a sigh of relief. Bridget was just as disappointed as I was. Although I tried not to show it.

“Maybe he got busy." She said, more to herself than me as we walked to my car.

“Yeah. Maybe." I answered. Thankfully she hadn't mentioned the party again. Jack not showing up had her preoccupied.

Just as I got to my car, I heard her take in a shocked breath.

“Oh God, he's coming." She said with tight lips, making the sound come out muffled.

“What?" I followed her stare to see Jack walking towards us. Oh no no.

“Act natural.” She whispered urgently right before Jack got to us.

" Hi there. Marissa, right?