Rival Desires by M. S. Parker

Author:M. S. Parker [Parker, M. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Belmonte Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-02-07T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

Rylee

I stepped through the glass doors into the office lobby, the enticing aromas of freshly baked bread and roasted vegetables wafting from the giant takeout bag clutched in my hand. I had stopped at the cozy little cafe around the corner, my favorite lunch spot in the neighborhood, to pick up an assortment of sandwiches and sides for the team.

As I ambled down the corridor, heads began popping up from their cubicle fortresses, and office doors opened as my coworkers caught wind of the delicious aroma. By the time I shoved open the break room door, nearly everyone had congregated, eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Good morning, troops!” I greeted them cheerily, slamming the overstuffed bag onto the table. My teammates wasted no time divvying up the edible gold, cooing over the flawless BLTs, the crisp garden salads, and the toasty warm sourdough rolls.

I plopped down at the table, eyeing my employees as they chowed down on the food. They’d been busting their humps, and I figured a little treat would do them good. Plus, after the rollercoaster ride I’d just been on at the Seaworth house, I needed to spread some positive vibes.

Nadine’s moves made sense, in a cold, calculating kind of way, but I’d been blindsided by Cory’s presence and that proposal she’d dropped in my lap. I’d flipped through it in the car while waiting for my order, my brain whirling like a hamster on a wheel.

Now, here I was, surrounded by happy munching and the low buzz of chatter, weighing my options. Should I go all in, Cory-style, or shake things up with a little creativity? Both approaches had their perks and pitfalls. The old reliables were tried and true for a reason, but sometimes, stepping off the beaten path led to some seriously sweet payoffs. I’d always tried to find a nice balance, especially for the big accounts like Seaworth, which usually gave me more wiggle room. But this little competition with Cory meant we were working on a tighter schedule.

Mallory popped up beside me, looking a bit worried. “How ‘bout some protein to go with that lunch?” she asked, giving my neglected plate a not-so-subtle glance.

I grabbed a grape and tossed it in my mouth. “Nah, I’m good, thanks.”

She didn’t look convinced, but she wasn’t the type to push it. We hadn’t worked together long enough for her to get all up in my business just yet. She kept a watchful eye on me as I nibbled on a few more things from my plate. Once I’d eaten enough to ease her worries, I got up and waved everyone to continue their lunch.

I had a plan brewing, and I needed Sergio’s input to make it happen.

“Sergio, swing by my office when you’re done eating,” I said, flashing a friendly smile. “There’s no rush, just whenever you’re ready.”

I made a quick exit before anyone could start asking questions. Sergio was my new go-to guy for delicate matters, and I wanted his take on my strategy. Plus, I figured maybe he knew what Cory might be planning.

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