Off The Record

Chapter One - Copy Editor/Coffee Bitch

I stared at the document I didn't write, until all the words began to mush together. I'd worked through my entire day's workload in two hours, just so I could spend the rest of the day writing samples of my own stuff, in the hopes that Alec, my boss, would see what I was actually capable of. Professionally... and personally.

"Ivy? Earth to Ivy?"

Aforementioned Alec's voice woke me from my staring induced daydream. What a great start to showing him what I was capable of. I turned my face toward him and smiled like I hadn't been a million miles away.

"Yes."

"Can you please go down and get five venti double shot full cream lattes. I've got a meeting at 12 and Melissa forgot to account for beverages."

I frowned. Melissa, Alec's PA was more than capable of running around after him. I on the other hand was paid to copy edit and sometimes ghost write if the reporter had a lot on. I was not a coffee getter. My college degree didn't not include a paper on collecting coffee.

"Of course. My pleasure." I agreed like the simp I was, the two sides of my brain clearly fighting for victory.

I closed down my computer and before I could ask for the company card, Alec was gone.

I sighed as I grabbed my wallet. My salary barely covered my own morning coffee. I'd be eating Ramen for the rest of the week because I was too busy allowing myself to be a god damn doormat because of a stupid crush.

I resigned myself to the fact that today... I was also a coffee bitch. If nothing else the fresh air might revitalize my senses. Allow me to finish that last article and work on something else.

I had to look for the silver lining somewhere.

I walked through the office, gazing around. I was the youngest by far. The newest recruit. Maybe that was why Alec was seeing how much he could get me to do before I declined. Oh god, what if it was a test to make sure I wasn't a wet rag.

I pushed the elevator button and sighed as I waited for it to ascend to our floor. My overthinking brain was the detriment of my life. I'd always dissected every interaction, to the point of acute neuroticism. My therapist said it was abandonment issues. My upbringing left a lot to be desired. Maybe it had something to do with it, but while it caused me trouble... sometimes overthinking had its benefits. Especially as a writer. Overthinking is next to perfectionism.

Once I was inside The elevator. I sighed deeply and leaned against the cool wall. When I'd taken the job I'd thought for sure that my talent would be seen immediately, that I'd move quickly up the ranks. 6 months in and there was no sign of promotion.

I was a copy editor by name, but sometimes a coffee bitch by trade.

I walked briskly across the courtyard. I could smell the coffee brewing before I even opened the door to the café. I'd already had my coffee for the day, but if I was breaking the budget, which I was. I was going to get another. I was going to need it today.

"Morning Ivy. Do you need another boost?" Jane, the owner, smiled as I walked up to the register.

"More like I'm the delegated coffee slave today. Can I get five venti double shot lattes and my usual."

Jane smiled and rang up the drink order. I paid and sat down in a nearby booth. A minute or so later a tall man in a dark blue suit with dark wavy hair walked up to the register. He looked familiar, even though I could only really see a side profile. I narrowed my eyes and tried to place him before giving up.

"A venti cappuccino please, no sugar." His voice was syrupy, and also familiar.

"No problem Mr. Stone. It'll just be a moment."

He sat down and waited. Jane called my name, I took the tray and walked out the door, only to realize I'd forgotten the sugar sachets. I turned on my heel, and began to walk, without really looking where I was going. Turns out where I was going was into the middle of a man in a dark blue suit chest.

Coffee flew, my tray fell to the side and his cup flipped and hit the ground with a splat. Luckily we'd both been spared from being covered in scalding hot coffee.

"I think you owe me a coffee." The man said, his voice dripping with annoyance.

I looked up, and straightened myself off. I'd already spent more than my week's budget on the six coffees I was now going to have to replace. I couldn't afford to get him one as well.

His icy gray eyes almost had me though. They were striking, hypnotizing. I tried not to study his face, but I couldn't help it. Crashing into him was about the most action I'd had in a while.

His lips curled into a smirk, he folded his arms.

"Sorry, but I think perhaps you need to replace mine."

I smiled back, sweetly, folding my arms to mirror him. His eyebrows raised and he looked at me, rather bemused.

"You were the one not looking as she was going."

"You could have announced yourself, if you had been looking where you were going." I replied, exasperated.

"I tell you what. I'll replace your drinks if you replace mine." He replied. "It's the least we can both do."

I felt the frown break from my face and nodded. "Fine." I replied. I bent down to pick up the tray, and gathered the cups. Tossing them into the trash as we walked back into the coffee shop.

"Back so soon?" Jane exclaimed with a surprised look.

"There was an unfortunate collision. We're replacing each other's drinks." The man responded before I could open my mouth. Jane nodded and rang up the drinks again. I paid for his, and he paid for mine and again we waited.

When Jane handed them over, we walked to the door and the mystery man held the door open for me. Once we were outside, we paused awkwardly and smiled at one another.

"Well, while this was lovely. I do hope I never crash into you again." I replied as I readjusted the tray in my hand so I didn't end up with a round two of dropping coffees.

"The feeling is mutual. I'd better let you get on. I imagine there is a room full of people gagging for milky coffee somewhere."

I smiled. "I'm sure they will be. Uh, good bye. I'd say it was nice... but."

"Bye." He replied.

I walked away, no idea if he'd gone off in his direction, or whether he was still standing there. God. I hated how awkward I could be. I felt safe once I was back in the elevator, at least I couldn't embarrass myself, on my own.

I delivered the coffees to the boardroom without further drama. Melissa was setting out the papers and straightening up the plate of pastries in the middle of the table.

I picked up my coffee from the tray and went to leave the room.

"Oh wait." Melissa sang out. "Alec wants you in the meeting too."

I turned and looked back at her, aware that I was frowning heavily. She smiled and pulled out a chair.

"Quick, before he changes his mind."