Puppy Love

by Gloria Herrmann

  He stared at her then smiled politely as Patty introduced him, “Tiffany, please meet Colin Murphy. He’s going to be the new CEO of Blue Moose Coffee.”

  What the hell? New CEO? It hit Tiffany hard, like someone had punched her in the gut. Am I losing my job? Yeah, today is going to be just super.

  * * * *

  “Wow, so it sounds like you’re having an awful day. Sorry, Tiff,” Molly said as they sat in their favorite coffee shop.

  Tiffany stirred the long straw that was partially submerged into a dark iced coffee. “Ugh, don’t even get me started. It can’t get any worse. Right, Moll?”

  Molly raised her eyebrows. “Don’t tempt fate.”

  It was Tiffany’s lunch break and she’d called Molly to meet her. She needed to vent and to get another shirt, which Molly had brought. Thank goodness for having besties that were willing to help at a moment’s notice.

  “This new boss-guy… Where’s he from and how come you didn’t know about him? Patty didn’t know?” Molly twirled her own straw.

  Tiffany had left out one important detail about Colin Murphy, the one about waking up in his hotel room. Tiffany was still trying to figure out what all had happened. She hadn’t talked to him after Patty had introduced her. He was quiet, reserved and probably just as surprised to see her again.

  “I’m not sure anyone knew. It was totally weird, Moll.” Tiffany took a long sip of her iced caffeine. “I think she may have been forced out. Maybe this whole Murphy Enterprises is going to clean house. I’m a little scared, to be honest,” Tiffany admitted.

  “So, do you still have a job? Otherwise, I could hire you, you know?” Molly’s eyes grew bright.

  “Moll, you would make me your slave and only pay me in coffee. At least Patty pays me real money. Besides, you couldn’t afford me.”

  “True. So what now?”

  Tiffany exhaled a loud breath. “I go back and learn my fate.”

  She was terrified. Bills…enough said. Seattle was not a cheap place to live. It wasn’t New York or anything, but it was still pretty darned expensive. Tiffany dreaded having to hunt for a new job. She’d worked so hard to get where she was.

  “Tiff, it’ll be okay. I promise.” Molly covered her hand with hers and smiled. “You’ll find another job, probably an even better one. But no matter what, just remember. You got this.”

  Tiffany appreciated Molly’s words of encouragement, but that still wouldn’t pay her bills or feed her shoe, handbag and coffee addiction.

  “Well, I better get back. Wish me luck.” She got up from her seat and hugged Molly before leaving. “Thanks again for bringing me the shirt.” Tiffany plucked at the royal purple blouse.

  “It’s totally your color. Remember, purple is a power color.” Molly winked at her. “You got this, bitch.”

  Tiffany laughed and walked out of the coffee shop feeling a little more confident and with more pep.

  It was a gorgeous day in Seattle—the sun was high, the sky was a perfect shade of blue and not a single cloud dotted it. It wasn’t too hot, but Tiffany was glad that she had worn her dark gray pencil skirt. The sun felt great on her bare legs and they could use a little a color.

  She wished she didn’t have to go back to her office. Fear was knitting a sick web inside her. Today would have been a wonderful day to go on a picnic or to do anything that didn’t involve her dealing with what waited for her back at work. Ugh, being a grown-up sucks.

  * * * *

  Tiffany managed to sneak back to her office unnoticed as Patty and the new ruler of Blue Moose Coffee were away at lunch. She shut her door and tried to focus on work, but her brain had been miles away. Tiffany had stared at spreadsheets and promotional materials with none of her usual interest. What if this isn’t my job anymore? How large will my severance pay be? How soon can I find a new job? All these questions kept her from working. She didn’t know what to expect and was praying that maybe no one would bother her for the rest of day.

  Tucked away in her office, surrounded by silence and her thoughts, Tiffany jumped when the phone on her desk rang.

  “Tiffany, can you please join us?”

  Her prayers had gone unanswered.

  “I’ll be right there, Patty,” Tiffany tried to reply confidently as she swallowed back the growing lump that formed in her throat. She was sick with worry. This could be it. Hello, unemployment.

  Taking a deep breath, Tiffany entered Patty’s office. He was there. Tiffany tried to avoid his gaze but could feel him assessing her. Didn’t he already have enough of a gander this weekend?

  “Take a seat, Tiffany,” Patty ordered and pointed to the empty chair next to Colin, aka the new enemy, destroyer of jobs and all things wonderful in her world.

  She sat and scooted her chair a little farther away. She heard him let out a laugh.

  “I’m not going to bite.” The accent was strong and utterly sexy.

  Tiffany didn’t dare look at him. She’d already noticed the pink dress shirt and charcoal-colored slacks earlier and she couldn’t help but find him incredibly hot. However, this man was about to fire her, so she wasn’t going to allow her stupid carnal desires to get in the way of her hate right now. He was going to be the reason she’d have to consider moving under a bridge and taking up residence with the Fremont Troll. Homelessness is anything but cute. She was accustomed to hot showers, a warm bed and food. Shit was about to get real and she didn’t need her dumb hormones making her all crazy and flustered over this jerk. God, he is so hot. Be strong, Tiff. He’s the enemy.

  “I know this is all very unsettling and must be quite confusing for you.” Patty offered her a tight-lipped smile. This didn’t reassure Tiffany one ounce.

  “Yes, I’d say so. Patty. Why didn’t you tell me?” Tiffany was hurt that Patty had kept such an enormous game changer from her.

  “We weren’t certain that the deal was even going to go through, to be honest. I didn’t want to cause panic or alarm. Besides, the CEO only told me yesterday.”

  Colin, aka the devil, sat there listening to them, quietly invading their space. Tiffany was tempted to ask him to leave. Why does he need to sit in on this conversation? Can’t he give us some privacy?

  “Patty, I understand. I suppose my concern is my place here.” There, she’d said it, regardless of how hard as it had been to spit out.

  “Oh, Tiffany, you aren’t going anywhere.” Patty laughed softly. There was a nervous undertone that Tiffany still found unsettling.

  Now she was confused. So why were the two of them acting so strange, like they were smuggling some kind of secret?

  “Well, that’s not quite true, is it now, Patty?” That damn Irish brogue asked.

  “I guess not.” There it was again, the sad eyes and the frown on Patty’s face. “Tiffany, you will be moving, actually. It wasn’t decided until a little bit ago.”

  “Moving?” Tiffany asked cautiously. So I’m not losing my job. Yay! But why was Patty acting so odd? Maybe she was the one being let go. “Patty, are you moving?” Tiffany tried to ask politely.

  Patty shook her head. “Nope, I will still be the president of marketing. You will be changing positions.”

  Tiffany sat and waited. She watched Patty throw a Colin a look. Shit, are they going to put me back in the mail room?

  “It would seem that Mr. Murphy—” Patty started.

  “Colin, please,” Colin interrupted. Of course, anything said in that hot-as-hell accent came off as proper and polite. Even if it were some smug remark, he’d still sound charming. She was starting to hate and fall in lust with Colin Murphy, all at the same time.

  Patty huffed then finished, “That Colin wants you to become his assistant.”

  “Wait…what?” Suddenly Tiffany felt like merchandise and that didn’t sit too well with her. I can’t be traded and exchanged, can I?

  * * * *

  “Ooh, that burns.” Tiffany cringed as she swallowed it down.

  “It’s vodka. It’s made to
help you forget your problems. That’s part of the burn. Here, have another,” Mackenzie ordered. They were seated around the large glass table inside Molly’s studio.

  The Seattle city lights twinkled in the background of the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows that covered one wall. The ample view was incredible, to say the least.

  “So you didn’t get fired? This is good.” Molly drained her shot glass and asked, “Why are we drinking these straight?”

  “Because Tiff needs it. Hell, we all need it.” Mackenzie laughed and poured another round of shots.

  “Didn’t realize that you were having a rough week, Mac. Hell, it just started.” Tiffany frowned.

  “I'm bored. School’s out and you guys are at work.”

  “I would think you'd be happy for some quiet time, Mac,” Molly said as she patted Mackenzie’s hand.

  Tiffany realized why Mackenzie probably hated the quiet. It meant she had to deal with her grief. It had only been a few months since her sister had died. Mackenzie didn’t talk about it much and that worried both Molly and Tiffany. They were concerned that it was festering inside their friend, but they also knew that she was one of the strongest people they knew and there was a comfort in that. Mackenzie could handle just about anything.

  “So what about work and this new boss of yours? Is he hot?” Mackenzie’s words slurred a bit as she poured them each another shot.

  “Single?” Molly wiggled her eyebrows.

  Tiffany wanted to tell them everything, to completely let it all out. But she didn’t want a lecture from Mackenzie or for Molly to worry. It was best to keep it quiet for as long as she could. Is it the right call to keep this from them? Probably not. These were her friends and it killed Tiffany not to blurt it all out. She would love to tell them that she had no clue what to do, that she’d been an emotional wreck and had to hide it when they were out shopping. Will they understand? Molly might offer sympathy, but Mackenzie would have plenty to say on the subject. Maybe Tiffany deserved that, but it wasn’t like her to wind up at a hotel suite with some strange guy. This was a whole new low for her. The thought made Tiffany cringe. The fact that he was now her boss only made matters worse. She eyed the clear drink in front of her. Maybe that li’l sucker will help me forget just how terribly embarrassing and awful my life has become?

  * * * *

  Drinking on a work night was never a good idea, ever. Vodka hadn’t usually hit her like this. Then again, she had been throwing back shots until Molly and Mackenzie had finally cut her off. How else was she going to forget the nightmare that her life was quickly becoming?

  Tiffany wore her large, white Kurt Cobain-like sunglasses that she’d purchased during the nineties and her brief fling with the whole grunge fashion scene. Tiffany couldn’t help but think of the days when she’d rocked flannel and ripped jeans—strategically ripped jeans. Tiffany, after all, had always been a girl that explored all the latest trends. Now she oozed office casual—khaki capris and a rose-pink blouse. The giant white bug-like sunglasses added an element of cool—or at least she thought so. Plus, they matched her white flats. Either way, for being hungover, at least Tiffany looked pretty darn good.

  Carbs were usually not her friend, but today they were. Tiffany dipped another golden fried piece of potato perfection in the ketchup.

  “These are friggin’ amazing,” Tiffany commented happily.

  “The perfect cure for any hangover.” Mackenzie snatched a fry from the pile in front of Tiffany.

  “Hey, these are mine.” Tiffany playfully shooed Mackenzie’s hand away as she reached for another.

  “So? You didn’t seem to mind sharing my cheeseburger.”

  Molly looked down at her food, it was untouched.

  “What’s wrong? Not hungry?” Tiffany asked with concern.

  Molly pushed the plate away. “Not really. I feel just blah today.”

  “PMS?” Mackenzie asked as she managed to swipe another fry.

  “Probably.” Molly yawned and then turned her attention to Tiffany. “So how was work today?”

  “Why do you have to ruin a perfectly good time? Jeesh.”

  Tiffany looked around at the diner. This place oozed charm and nostalgia in the best remembered way. The red vinyl booths to the jukebox against one wall were all iconic images of a time so long ago. The 50s theme was well cherished here, but so was the food. The fries, milk shakes and burgers were amazing. This place stayed open twenty-four hours like a diner from a Hollywood movie. You could grab coffee and a slice of pie when you weren’t quite ready to say goodnight to your date. Or coffee after a night of dancing and drinking. Tiffany had been coming here for years and nothing had changed. She bit off a bite of fry and gazed out of the window at the busy street.

  Change was everywhere, even right in front of her. Molly was getting married and she was no longer Patty’s assistant. But this diner stayed the same after decades upon decades. It was incredible that this diner on the corner could remain untouched and unchanged. Why couldn’t life be like that?

  Chapter Four

  “It will be fine, Tiffany.”

  Tiffany rolled her eyes and doubted the words Patty had said. “I like how I had no say in the whole matter, Patty,” Tiffany said as she grabbed another empty cardboard box and started to fill it with knick-knacks and awards from her bookshelf. Her office was nearly empty now. “It’s as though you didn’t even fight for me.”

  “I wasn’t given much choice, Tiffany. He simply said he would need an assistant, then we visited a couple of other departments and when we came back… Well, he chose you.”

  “And there was no way for you to tell him no?”

  “Tiffany, is that really an option? Saying no to the CEO is like a death sentence.” Patty grabbed another box and started to carefully set items from Tiffany’s desk into it.

  “We had a good run though, didn’t we?” Tiffany asked. She could feel tears threatening to spill.

  “We sure did. Tiffany, you are talented and need to think of this as a promotion. If anyone deserves this, it’s you. You’ll have a nicer office and a bigger salary. Try to see the positives here,” Patty explained.

  “I just wish that I had been given the opportunity to decide if I wanted that position.”

  “Tiffany, what’s the real problem? I know you like working for me. We’re a great team, but this is something that most assistants would give their right arm for. You, on the other hand, are trying to run as far away from Mr. Murphy as possible. Why?”

  “Patty, I can’t explain it, but I’m not interested in leaving this department. I love my job.”

  “So are you going to quit?”

  Tiffany sighed. “In a perfect world, yes. A perfect world that didn’t have bills or the need for money.”

  “Hell, then neither of us would be here.” Patty laughed as she finished clearing off the desk.

  “True.”

  “Let’s go check out that new office and get you settled in,” Patty suggested.

  Tiffany didn’t really have much choice, did she? There was no getting out of this.

  Patty put a box in Tiffany’s arms and ordered her to start walking. They each carried a box to the elevator and up they went. Top floor.

  Patty had tears in her eyes as the doors opened. “Bet your office is bigger than mine.”

  They walked up to the receptionist and asked to see Mr. Murphy. They were directed down a hall and came to two large doors. This is it.

  Working with Patty the last several years had been wonderful. They had a comfortable rhythm, knew each other so well and were completely in sync. She wasn’t sure that was going to be the case with Colin.

  Tiffany could hear Patty exhale louder than necessary. They faced each other and it took everything for them to both not burst into tears.

  “Just don’t forget to visit me, okay?” Patty said, her voice was rough as she was obviously trying to contain all her emotions.

  Tiffany could only nod. God, this is so har
d.

  They knocked and waited.

  Colin, aka the one who was ruining her life, opened the door with a large smile on his face. He was oblivious to the pain that she and Patty were feeling. It didn’t matter to him. He’d gotten his way. The amusement and light in his dark eyes made her feel like some shiny, brand-new toy. Tiffany groaned, apparently not to herself.

  “What is that about?”

  Shit, that was out loud. Tiffany inhaled again and lied, “I’m sorry. I was trying to clear my throat.”

  Colin nodded, but the smirk on his face told her that he knew that hadn’t been the case.

  “Thank you, Patty. I’ve got it from here,” he excused Patty, who stood there holding a large box. Colin lifted it from her hands and dismissed her with a slight nod.

  Patty smiled politely then looked to Tiffany. This is it.

  “Well now, let’s get you settled in properly,” he said. The sound of his voice caused her core to warm.

  Tiffany hated herself right now. She didn’t want to feel any attraction to this man that had completely disrupted her life, both professionally and personally. Tiffany wanted to stay as far away from him and make him a distant memory, but that wasn’t likely now that she would have an office right next to his.

  “Don’t look so glum.”

  “Mr. Murphy—”

  He stopped her. “Colin. Come on, Tiffany. We’ve been through this already.” Colin led the way to a door that was inside his office, which was huge. Even with the giant desk, floor-to-ceiling bookcases that lined one of the walls and a small sitting area, the room still managed to look spacious.

  Wow. Her view was killer. She could actually spot the Space Needle from her desk. Tiffany’s new office was miniature version of Colin’s, except there was an enormous bouquet of flowers on her desk. Tiffany placed the box she was carrying down and let her finger touch the velvety soft petal of a massive sunflower.