Kaylee and Hunter: An Office Romance

Chapter 1: Kaylee

Fridays at the office are easier than any other day. No one feels as rushed because we have the rest of the weekend ahead of us. I love Fridays for another reason entirely, but no one but my best friend, Elyse Mitchell, knows anything about it. I can't wait to have two days without seeing his face. Elyse and I are inseparable and over the years of working together, we have fallen into a morning routine; coffee, office gossip, and work. My favorite part is definitely the coffee but Elyse is all about the office gossip.

"Isn't he so hot! I wish I could just take him off her hands. Don't you Kay?" my best friend Elyse Mitchell asks me in hushed tones as our co-worker, Hunter McCallen, strides by to his flavor of the month, Alyssa Perchington. Hunter is the most sought after man in the building. The custom suits that adorn his perfect muscles show off his tall muscular body. Every woman in the office wishes they could be Alyssa; everyone but me. He is a player who has no regards for his playthings' feelings. His sexual reputation precedes him, but I could care less, or I tell myself so. In my books, he is despicable. This month it is Alyssa who has fallen into his clutches. Though I'm not too surprised because she is the office slut, but what surprises me is the loving look she has plastered to her face. Is it just a façade? Why is Alyssa Perchington of all people, in love? And with Hunter McCallen of all people! What has the female population come to?

"Um... Kaylee? What's up with you?" Elyse questions me.

"Oh. I'm sorry El. I don't know what's up today. I'm just a little bit out of it. What did you say?" I blushed. She probably thinks I'm still hung up on him, but why would I be? I mean it all happened two years ago and it's not like we were completely sober either.

My mind flashes back to that night. The hour of talking about anything and everything. Hunter leading me to the bedroom. Hands groping in the dark... A throat being cleared brought me back to the conversation.

"I was talking about Hunter. Why do you always get so flustered when Hunter McCallen is involved? Wait don't answer that, I know. You are still a mess over him because you slept together at Gavin's party two years ago and he still never looks at you, and he never even said a word to you after you slept together! Am I right because I know I am? When are you going to get over him Kay? This really can't be healthy." Elyse says as she eyes me suspiciously, looking for signs of sadness that have revolved around the topic of Hunter since that night.

"I'm fine El. I know he's a douche, and of course I want to know why but I don't think I'm going to find out why anytime soon. He was the greatest lover I had, even drunk, but that isn't the worst part. I drunkenly spilled my heart out to him and told him things that only you know, and he made me forget for a while but then the next day and then for the next two years he ignores me? I just don't understand." I huff as Elyse and I reach my office. I'm a Senior Editor at the Big Bend Publishing House and I love my job but I absolutely hate that I have to see Hunter and his conquests every single day! I just hope I can get over him soon, but I know that I won't. Seeing him every day, even with all the girls, I pathetically still want him.

"I know Kay, I know. Just come out with me tonight and we'll pick you up a man that will make you forget about Hunter or we can just drink him out of existence. How does that sound?" Elyse pronounces as she heads towards her own desk. "Come on Kay. We'll go dancing at the club tonight. Please!" She has her puppy-dog face on. How can I refuse that?

"Fine," I say reluctantly. Elyse has been badgering me about going out to be her wing-woman for months, and I have no viable excuse tonight and she knows it. So Friday night clubbing with El is just going to be a go. And I can't deny that a girls night out sounds fun, throw in some alcohol, and I'll be in heaven.

"Yayyyy!" Elyse cries as she hugs me excitedly. "We are gonna be hot babe! But I better get going or Jared's going to have my ass. Just try to ignore him today. Okay Kay?"

"Yeah, I got you Elyse," I sigh. "I'll see you later." I know I'll have trouble with ignoring him. I've been trying for two years, and it still hasn't worked.

"Bye girl!" Elyse shouts as she rounds the corner.

I get to work on the piles of manuscripts on my desk. We have so many clients and have to get everyone's work edited as fast as possible because that's what we are supposedly known for. I try to concentrate on the page as I sip my coffee, but it is cold and almost empty so I know I'm going to have to make a coffee run ASAP. But his office is on my way. I guess I'm just going to have to put my big girl panties on and do it. I can do this I tell myself as I leave the safety of my office with a death grip on my coffee mug. Don't let him get to you. You'll be fine Kaylee. You've got this! I repeat my mantra as I walk towards the office's kitchen and keep my eyes on the ground to avoid seeing him. UMPH!

"Ow! Shit!" I exclaim as I run into what feels like a brick wall and turn red. "Good Lord, what are you carrying, you're hard?" I shout as I look up.