Swan Lake (Swan Series Book 1) by L.B. Alexander

Author:L.B. Alexander [Alexander, L.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L.B. Alexander LLC
Published: 2020-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

ELLEN was waiting for me at my desk.

“Good morning, Ellen,” I said casually, hoping my expression didn’t reveal the butterflies in my stomach. I knew I needed to vault my interaction with William, and keep it hidden until the end of the day.

“Decent start on the slides, although I have some notes. I’ll need you to make a few changes by no later than ten-thirty or eleven,” Ellen said, fingers flying across her iPad.

I swallowed the pain in my rear as I maneuvered past her and slid into my chair.

“No problem. Anything else?”

“Oh, RSVPs—where are we with responses for the holiday party? We need to provide George with the final headcount by end of day today.”

I pulled up the running spreadsheet I’d created for that very purpose.

“We received responses from ninety-eight percent of the invites sent, with a ninety percent acceptance rate. So it looks like we’ll be just below projected capacity with six hundred and twenty.”

“Excellent turnout. In that case…” Ellen paused and reached into her purse, a gray Bottega Veneta, and produced a cubical velvet case wrapped in red ribbon. I already knew what was inside—an intricate glass-blown snowflake prism that would project the details of the party with the enclosed laser.

She extended the invitation to me with a small, sincere half smile that vanished as quickly as it appeared.

“Are you serious?” I asked, unable to contain my surprise. Ellen frowned, seemingly taken aback by my confusion.

“Of course. You’ve worked hard. You’ve earned it. I have no problem giving credit where it is due.”

Her face was stony, but this was the kindest thing she’d ever said to me.

I was touched.

“That’s so sweet of you. But, umm…I actually can’t make it.”

Ellen’s eyes widened.

“What could possibly be more important?” she asked, offended.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d be invited. It’s just…this weekend is my sister’s bachelorette party. I was actually wondering…would it be okay if I left work about an hour or two early on Friday? I can come in early, or I can make up the hours next week—”

Ellen waved her hand in front of me, a gesture she only performed when she felt I was speaking too much.

“Fine. You can leave at noon on Friday, does that work?” she asked.

I nodded quickly, hoping she wouldn’t decide to change her mind.

“Oh my God, yes. Thank you so much!”

“I’ll need those slides by eleven, April,” Ellen reminded. And then she disappeared into her office.

Fueled by a new confidence, I was able to send the finished presentation back to her a full fifteen minutes before the new deadline.

My good mood carried me through the next several hours, and I felt energized by my productivity. I felt valuable, and invigorated with each new task.

I felt important.

But my spark started to fade when one o’clock approached, and my stomach growled with a desire I was just beginning to allow myself to respond to again.

As I stood from my desk, I could hear the electric sound of the doors to William’s office opening. My

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