Devil's Toy

Chapter 3

My hands wrapped around the warm coffee mug. Light steam danced around the rim. The barista had somehow worked a heart out of foam on the surface of my drink.
"Hey, lovely." Johns voice was smooth. His hand squeezed my shoulder before he slid into the booth across from me.
"Hey," I smiled softly before gesturing to the mug in front of him, "I ordered a latte for you. Got us some croissants too. I didn't know what kind of meeting this would be so..."
He chuckled, "I'm so sorry for worrying you, Layla. I didn't meant to sound so frantic over the phone. Meeting the new partners and hearing the plans they've made just made me panic."
I watched his eyes carefully as he dipped a spoon into his mug and turned it, ruining the foam leaf.
"It's okay. I was more worried about you being okay. You sounded more than just concerned about the merger. What was that about not trusting the partners?"
He shook his head, "Don't even worry about all of that." He waved a hand, signaling for me to forget about it.
"Uh? Then... what?"
What?
"I wasn't being a team player. I went into that meeting with an ego that didn't fit in the room. It's my fault I went off kilter like that."
"John, what the fuck is going on?"
John wasn't one to spaz out and then reel it all back. He was calm cool and collected 25/8. When he dislocated his shoulder last year after a slip at the office he calmed me down. John trusted his gut and so did I. When he called me he gushed on and on about how the partners seemed shady. That they had ulterior motives. He even went as far as insinuating that they'd paid off Mariah.
"Layla. I am fine. I promise. I know this seems unlike myself, but you need to understand. I just overreacted." He shrugged.
"Can I at least get a little context?" Like what the fuck made him overreact.
"When you rushed out, Luke mentioned that they would be making staff cuts. He also mentioned restructuring our working operations and hours. I believe he will be fully replacing Mariah instead of it being us joining as one. Mariah seems to have just sold our firm."
"Oh." I nodded softly, now grateful I'd shown up to that meeting with my portfolio.
"So... did you quit?" This still didn't add up. John wouldn't flip out over a company buyout.
"No, no. But, there is something I need to tell you." He tapped the spoon on the edge of the mug and set it on a napkin. He took a sip of his coffee, eyes fixated on mine. They seemed too serious.
"This is a lot, John. I need you to start making some sense."
He nodded.
"After my outburst, the partners sat and spoke with me about my concerns. They offered me a position."
"Like, they offered you your position? So you're staying? You're still not making any sense."
Get on with it dude.
"Not quite," he smiled, "they're opening a new office in Portland. They're expanding their business- something Mariah failed to mention. They want me to run it."
"Oh wow! Congratulations, John. That's been a dream of yours for so long. You obviously asked for me to go with you right?" I sat up, hands clasped together in excitement. He was being cryptic because he was trying to build up to the good news. John loved suspense.
"I tried, love. I really did. But they didn't bring a designer with them so they want to keep you in house. I need to hire one once I gather clientele."
I slumped, "We've been working together for so long though. I don't think I want to stick around with out you. Especially if they're pushing out Mariah and anyone else I know." I flicked sugar packets around on the table. I didn't think he'd want to work without me either but it was one of his dreams.
"Don't think like that." He placed his hand over mine.
I'd come to love John like family. Once upon a time I would've sworn he was just trying to get in my pants, but he never made a move. He was respectful and sweet and was always there for me. I didn't want him to go.
"I'll be coming back twice a month for work, and to see you. Plus, we can always make the excuse that I can't find a good designer and get you out there for some side work." He winked.
"So you trust these guys?" I finally took a bite of croissant.
"Oh yeah. And it doesn't hurt that they look so good."
I choked on my bite, "Excuse me?" I laughed.
"Don't look at me like that! That's why you ran out of there like a bat out of hell." He wiggled his brows.
"Shut UP!" I giggled.
"Admit it, Layla. You got all hot and bothered. You didn't eat bad soup."
I cracked up thinking about the lie I'd told Mariah about being sick. She must been a wreck trying to apologize for my outburst.
"God, I felt so bad lying to her."
"You should. She told everyone you were blowing chunks."
"No... She didn't..."
"From both ends." He feigned a grimace.
"Now you're absolutely lying."
"Well she had to tell them something..." He smiled a little devious smile before taking another sip.
"You two are the worst."
"I thought you didn't find him outrageously hot?"
"I do not." I gave a defiant 'humph.'
"Then you won't mind that I invited him over today?"
I squinted at him, " You didn't."
"Would that bother you?"
"Obviously!"
"But why ever would that cause a problem, little miss?" He put on a thick southern accent.
"Because I'd have to shove my foot up your ass if you truly did, honey pie." I mimicked the accent.
"Well that's not too kind." He laughed.
"So what, when do you leave?"
"I'll be out of your hair by next Monday."
"What?! We only get a week to do everything on our bucket list? We can travel to Egypt AND Greece in a week!"
"You're silly," he shook his head, "of course we can."
I laughed, "But seriously. Why so soon?"
"They already had those plans going before he bought our firm. They wanted to make sure they could get staff for that office and since they do, they want to pull the trigger and get that money flowing."
"Makes sense." I nodded slowly, watching people walk by through the large glass window. Per usual, the day was gloomy and cool. People rushed by in light coats, their eyes glued to phones. It was a miracle we never ran headfirst into each other.
"And so nothing shady is going on?" I asked passively.
"No, Layla. I already told you I overreacted."
His tone was a touch hostile, taking me by surprise. I raised a brow in his direction but brushed it off. Maybe his ego was huge and I just hadn't seen that side of him. A bruised ego can produce some harsh moods.
"Okay okay.... Well, let's see how it goes."