Exposed to You (Overexposed)

by Andra Lake

  Following the tour, Becky showed me the kitchen and how to use the coffee machine, and the copy room and how to use the copier. Then we sat down at my computer and she showed me how to use the phone and their various computer programs. She’d printed out a list of duties and pinned it to the bulletin board behind my desk.

  “As long as you get these things done, you are free to spend your free time working on whatever course work you have. I believe Ren registered you in a Photoshop course.”

  Sure enough, there was an email in my inbox from Ren with information on the course. It was at 4:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In his message, he said I could leave a half hour early and he wouldn’t expect me to make up the time.

  At 10:00, I received a text from Dallon.

  Let’s go for lunch. We need to talk.

  I didn’t respond. The last thing I wanted was to talk with Dallon; I needed space to sort out my own thoughts on everything that had happened.

  At 11:30, just as Becky was wrapping up showing me how to enter my vacation time, Ren came to my desk.

  “So how is your first day going, Amy?”

  “Great,” Becky responded, smiling warmly at me. She stood up. “It’s lunchtime, so you go have a break. I’ll come back and check on you in the afternoon.”

  “Glad to hear it’s going well,” Ren said once she’d gone. “Do you have any plans for lunch?”

  “No, I brought a sandwich,” I said lamely.

  He laughed. “Let me take you out for your first day. Are you able to get away now?”

  “Sure.” I stood and grabbed my coat and purse before following him into the lobby. I quickly pulled out my phone and sent Dallon a text that I couldn’t meet with him, grateful to have an excuse.

  Ren pushed the button for the elevator and turned to face me, smiling warmly. “Did you receive my email about the course?”

  “Yes, thanks for registering me. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Good. I have a good feeling about you, Miss Clair.”

  The elevator doors opened, and I inhaled sharply. There stood Dallon holding a bouquet of roses and frowning at his phone. As he glanced up, Ren put his hand on the small of my back and led me into the elevator.

  Dallon’s eyes hardened.

  “Hey,” I said awkwardly as the doors closed behind us. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were on your way.”

  Dallon ignored me but put an arm around my waist before holding his hand out to Ren. “Dallon King. Amy’s boyfriend.”

  Ren looked surprised as he took Dallon’s hand. “Oh I’m sorry, were you hoping to surprise her? We were going for lunch for Amy’s first day.” He smiled at me and I smiled back weakly.

  The atmosphere in the small space was full of tension. Dallon’s grip around my waist tightened as I searched desperately for something to fill the awkward silence.

  “You can join us if you’d like,” Ren said after a moment.

  I tilted my head to look up at Dallon. I could tell from his expression that joining us wasn’t a good idea. Luckily the elevator pinged and the doors opened before he could respond. As we stepped out of the elevator, he took my elbow, steered me to the side. His eyes never left me as he addressed Ren.

  “Can I speak with Amy alone for a moment?”

  Ren frowned. “Um, sure. Amy, I’ll wait outside.”

  The moment Ren was around the corner, I turned on Dallon. “What are you doing? You’re embarrassing me.”

  “I don’t want you to go for lunch with him.”

  I half-laughed, half-snorted. “And why the hell not?”

  “Because I said so, and I make the rules.”

  My head jerked back. “You can’t be serious. Dallon, he’s my boss.”

  “I don’t like the way he looks at you.”

  “You don’t like the way anyone looks at me! If it was up to you, I wouldn’t be doing anything.”

  He took a step closer. “It is up to me.”

  I sighed, exasperated. “Last night you told me to stay away from you, and now you’re telling me to stay away from my boss. You’re being possessive and paranoid. He’s just trying to do something nice and get to know me. Unlike some, he doesn’t have nasty intentions.”

  Dallon scowled. “You’re still mad at me for last night.”

  “I don’t know what I am. I don’t know what you are. One minute you want something, and the next you’re turning against me for giving it to you!”

  I moved to pass him, but he stepped in front of me again. “I’m talking to you.”

  “No, you’re holding me up. You inherited a large chunk of cash, so if you ever knew what it’s like to have to impress people, I’m sure you’ve forgotten by now. You can do whatever you want.”

  “Do you think I could start a company without any prior knowledge? I’m not just a pretty face running things—I have to know what the hell I’m doing!”

  “I know that. I’m sorry. I just…” I glanced toward the exit, “I have to go for lunch with my boss. I want to give a good impression.”

  “Then I’ll come too.”

  I hesitated. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Right. And if I forbid you from going?”

  I glared at him. “I think the power I gave you has gotten to your head, Dallon. I’m not some toy that you can keep all to yourself.”

  He stepped out of my way, looking like he’d been burned. “I don’t see you that way.”

  At that moment, Ren came around the corner. He looked at both of us and then his gaze settled on me. “Everything okay, Amy?”

  “Yes, I’ll just be a minute.”

  He nodded and left us again, looking like he wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do.

  I turned to face Dallon again, realization setting in. “You think my boss is into me. Does you also think that’s the reason I got the job?”

  He looked away, shaking his head angrily.

  Now it was my turn to feel burned. Angry tears pricked my eyes. Of course he did. He wanted me for one thing in particular, and now he assumed every man wanted me for the same thing.

  “Keep the roses,” I said and stormed away.

  ***

  Ren had the decency not to bring Dallon up with me at lunch, but I still couldn’t help but feel embarrassed that he’d witnessed me having an argument on my first day of work. I didn’t want him to think I was immature and regret his decision. To make matters worse, what Dallon had implied had shaken my confidence, so that I wasn’t my usual self over lunch.

  When we returned to the office, the roses were in a vase on my desk, most likely with help from Becky. If Ren noticed, he didn’t comment but continued to his office. Looking at them, I felt a little bad for not allowing Dallon to come with us, but my guilt was instantly erased when I pulled out my phone and saw his text.

  I’m sorry. I don’t think that’s the only reason you were hired. I just think that you’re an attractive woman… and he has eyes.

  That was hardly an apology. Now I felt that at best, he thought it was only one of the reasons for my being hired.

  If you really believe I’m talented, is it so hard for you to believe that he believes that too?

  Dallon texted back immediately.

  Taking you for lunch is a different matter. It’s not appropriate.

  My blood was boiling. I could barely type, I was so angry. My thumbs hit the keyboard with a punishing rhythm.

  This is the 21st century, Mr. King. Men and women can have lunch together without it having to mean anything. And even if he did try to make a move, do you really think I’d go for it? I’m not so weak-minded, or did I give you the wrong impression on the weekend? Because I’m really starting to think submitting to you was a mistake.

  I was partly referring to our fight last night, but I was sure he’d figure that out. Tossing my phone back in my purse, I tried to focus on work. Becky had given me a few things to read, mostly information on the company. An hour late
r, I checked my phone to discover he still hadn’t responded. He didn’t respond for the rest of the day, and a feeling of dread came over me.

  At 4, Becky grabbed me and showed me how to run the dishwasher. “One of your jobs will be to empty it right away in the morning and run it at night.”

  “Sounds good,” I said.

  She frowned. “Are you all right?”

  “Sorry, yes—I just have something on my mind.”

  Becky smiled kindly. “It was a long day for you, I’m sure. Why don’t you take off and we’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Becky,” I said gratefully. As soon as I hit the street, I called Sam.

  “Hey, what’s up?” she answered brightly.

  “Can I stay at your place tonight? I just need some time to think.” Horns blared as I raced across the street, desperate to get as far away from my building as possible.

  Sam was silent for a moment. “Of course. Is everything okay?”

  “Not really,” I said as I hailed a cab. “Dallon and I had a fight and I’m worried it’s not going to work.”

  “What happened?”

  The cab stopped and I gave him Dallon’s address before answering. “It’s kind of hard to explain, Sam. I’m going to grab clothes and then head over. Will you be home?”

  “Not until late. Just call and I’ll buzz you in. Make yourself at home and we’ll talk when I get home. OK?”

  “Thanks, Sam. You’re a life saver.”

  My heart was beating rapidly as the cab pulled up at Dallon’s. I knew he wouldn’t be home, but I still felt nervous about sneaking around his place. I didn’t look at the security guard as I passed, scanned my access card for the top floor and then waited in agony for the elevator to arrive. It took me less than five minutes to pack everything I needed. Like I had when I’d moved out of my hole, I threw multiple items in my bag before grabbing all my cosmetics from the bathroom.

  I waited until I was in the next cab before texting Dallon that Arnold didn’t have to pick me up. Then I turned my cell off and pulled my legs up to my chest.

  ***

  Sam and Luke’s apartment had a similar setup to our old one, but everything was nicer. The appliances were stainless steel and the counters granite. All our furniture had been Sam’s, so it was like being in a renovated version of our old place with someone else’s furniture thrown in. There were pictures of Sam and Luke everywhere: on the mantle above the fireplace, on bookshelves, on the kitchen counter, and in the hallway leading to the bedrooms. My stomach churned thinking about how normal their relationship was to mine.

  Luke was the first to get home, and the first thing he did was order us a pizza. I was already in a pair of sweats and a long sleeved shirt and watching TV on the couch. Luke grabbed us both a beer before joining me.

  “You okay?” he asked and when I nodded, left it at that, knowing I was going to be drilled by Sam later.

  Curiosity was getting the best of me, so I turned my cell back on, curious to see if there would be any messages. There were a few missed calls which had all gone straight to voicemail, and one text message.

  Where did you go? Please talk to me.

  I didn’t respond. Talking to Dallon would be a bad move right now. I needed some time to think about what I wanted. I was still angry, and I didn’t want to do anything rash.

  Sam arrived just in time for pizza, and we ate and watched The Simpsons before she whisked me into their study to set up the air mattress. The first thing she did after closing the door behind us was pull me into a hug.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “Everything has just moved so fast and I need time away to think.”

  I helped Sam pull the air mattress off the top shelf of the closet and we sat on the ground beside it as it inflated. This trusty mattress had been a bed for more than one drunken friend during our University years, and suddenly I yearned for easier times before when life had been about meeting new friends.

  “What happened exactly?” Sam asked, breaking my thoughts.

  Explaining in person wasn’t going to be any easier because there was no way I could get into what Dallon was about and what had transpired the night before. No matter how angry or hurt I was, I would never betray him like that. Revealing something like that about myself to Sam was also not a possibility.

  “It’s just so intense between us,” I said carefully. “I think I want to get my own place.”

  “What changed?”

  “Dallon wanted to meet for lunch, but then my boss asked me to go, so I texted Dallon to let him know I couldn’t. BUT, he’d decided to surprise me with a bouquet of roses and we ran into him in the elevator.”

  Sam frowned, confused. “So he was mad about that?”

  I sighed. “Well, not exactly. He asked Ren if he could have a minute to talk to me alone, and then he tried to prevent me from going.”

  Sam covered her mouth with her hands. “I would have killed him.”

  “I almost did.”

  “So I was right about him being controlling.”

  You have no idea. “I was mortified, Sam. He said he didn’t like the way Ren looks at me. I got angry and asked if he thought Ren liking me was the reason I got hired, and he didn’t deny it! Later he texted that he doesn’t think it was the only reason. That was his idea of an apology.”

  Sam shook her head in disbelief. “What a pompous douche.”

  I smiled, remembering my nickname for him. King Douche. He’d earned it again.

  “Meanwhile, we ran into his old flame last night, and he was pretty friendly toward her but doesn’t see anything wrong with that.” My cheeks heated slightly, knowing I hadn’t told Sam the whole truth, but it was as close as I could get.

  “He likes you, Amy, so don’t worry about that,” Sam said, putting a hand on my shoulder. “And he isn’t the first man to be possessive, but he needs to learn how to control it. Doesn’t he understand that he could affect your job? It’s your job.”

  I could tell Sam was thinking about what she’d do if someone were to embarrass her like that at her work. Sam’s career was one of the most important things in her life, more important than Luke, I suspected.

  “It’s also incredibly insulting that he implied you didn’t get the job on your own merit,” she added, getting riled up again.

  “Oh, I know,” I said, focusing on the expanding mattress. “That’s why I need time. He said I was talented, yet he jumped to this conclusion. Now I’m starting to worry he was right. I mean, does it make sense a stranger would take such an interest in my future? And he did ask me for lunch.”

  Sam grasped my shoulders. “Don’t let an insecure man make you feel this way. You are talented. Your boss—Ren—picked up on that and hired you for that reason.” She shook her head angrily. “First you were feeling like Dallon was the one with everything to offer, and now that you’ve gotten this great opportunity, he’s threatening to wreck it by making you feel like you got it for the wrong reasons.”

  Tears filled my eyes again. “This job… It means a lot to me. I feel like I’ve finally got a goal, like I’ve finally figured out what I should do with my life and I can make something of myself.” I hesitated before adding, “My parents actually said they’re proud of me.”

  “Exactly. Don’t let him ruin that for you. You’re better than that.”

  “I think I gave him the wrong impression of who I am,” I said quietly.

  “What do you mean?” Sam turned off the mattress pump and looked at me curiously. Suddenly the room felt very silent. I scrambled to think of a way to explain it.

  “Dallon has called all the shots. Everything he’s wanted, he’s gotten. I think it’s led him to believe that I’ll do whatever he wants.” I blushed and continued quickly, “Even when it comes to my work life.”

  Sam smiled a half-smile. “Then there’s only one thing you can do to fix that: don’t let him.”

  I nodded. I’d already mad
e that decision by coming here, but Sam’s confirmation gave me the courage I needed.

  After putting sheets on the bed, we returned to the living room where Luke was now watching baseball. I took my phone out of my purse and re-read Dallon’s message, suddenly feeling guilty for letting him worry.

  “I’ll just tell him I’m all right but I need some time,” I told Sam.

  She didn’t look impressed. “Fine. And then turn off your phone.”

  I texted back a quick message and hit send, hearing the resulting beep as if his phone were in the room with me.

  Then there was a knock on the door.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Sam and I looked at each other, and a slow, awkward smile spread across her face. I nodded, and she opened the door to reveal Dallon looking grave, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

  Dallon King and his boundary issues.

  “Don’t come in, I’ll go out,” I said and joined him in the hall, pulling the door closed behind me. I stalked away down the hall and into the staircase so we couldn’t be overheard. Spun around to face him, arms crossed.

  “What are you doing here, Dallon?”

  “It’s nice to see you too,” he said dryly. “I was worried about you. Or is that not allowed?”

  “Worried about me or worried about what I’m doing?”

  “It’s the same thing,” he said, glaring as if offended.

  I put my hands on my hips. “No, it’s not. You said that the lines are blurred for you. You can’t control me in real life, Dallon. It’s my life. It’s my job.”

  “I know.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I know I went too far. After our fight last night, I thought you might run.” He paused. “I’m sorry for what I said.”

  “I’m not.”

  He stiffened. “Why not?”

  “Because it was the truth. It was what you really thought.”

  He swallowed hard.

  “How did you find me?”

  He had the grace to look guilty. “Your cell. I installed GPS software on it.”