She nods and scurries off.

“Cate?” the guy asks when he comes to a stop in front of me.

He holds out his hand. I take it and give it a quick shake.

“That’s me,” I say brightly, unable to risk a glance at the twenty-something receptionist who acted more like my mother.

“Jeff,” he says and adds conspiratorially, “And don’t mind her. She’s a bit of a bitch. She likes to think she’s like the gate keeper in World of Warcraft.”

I have no idea what that is but am grateful I’m not the only person she probably doesn’t like.

“Follow me and I’ll show you to your desk and introduce you to the team.”

We end up in an area filled with cubicles, which are like mini offices with moveable or knock down walls. They are tall enough to give you privacy while sitting, but when standing, I can see the vast number of them that spread throughout the large open room. Through one of the openings, I spot a woman filling a banker’s box with stuff. She lifts the heavy cardboard box onto the desk using the nifty handles on the sides.

Jeff pauses and waits. I have the uncomfortable feeling that I’m replacing this woman.

“Don’t worry. She isn’t being fired or anything. Rumor has it she’s dating the boss. Because of a non-disclosure agreement, she can’t confirm or deny that. But she can’t work for him because of it.”

The dark haired woman glances up and she’s beautiful. If the rumors are true, I can see why any man would want to date her. She flutters her eyes before hefting the box and exits without a word.

“Bye Miss Thing,” he mutters at her back. To me, he says, “So this is your seat. And I’ll be the one to train you.”

He holds out a hand like he’s a game show host. I sit because it’s easier than the alternative.

“You log in this way.” He begins to show me what to do and produces a paper with all the pertinent information. He pulls it from somewhere in the middle of stack of papers he holds. I’m surprised by his organization. A while later into our training session, a voice startles us both.

“Ms. McKnight, I found these at reception and was told they weren’t delivered to you by mistake.”

Jeff and I turn as one. I’d seen the small vase full of purple and lilac flowers when I’d walked in. I wonder if they hadn’t been delivered because the woman I’d replaced had still been in the office or if the hateful receptionist is paying me back. For all I know it’s both.

I take them from his awaiting hands. “Thank you Mr. Caine.”

“It’s Ted.”

The weight of the smile on his handsome face is almost too much to resist.

“He’s no cuddly bear, I tell you,” Jeff mutters quickly. “Quite the opposite, to be exact.”

“Jeffery, just because we’re related doesn’t mean I can’t fire you.” Jeff rolls his eyes. “Please give Cate and me a moment.”

Jeff’s lips purse and he wisely says nothing as he heads out of my cube.

“Thanks for the flowers,” I say.

“Everyone gets them.” Jeff’s disembodied voice passes through the thin walls.

Ted sighs. “Yes, it’s company policy to make all new employees feel welcome.”

“Some more than others,” Jeff voice croons.

Ted’s jaw tightens and I want to stop Jeff because he seems like a really nice guy and I don’t want him to lose his job over warnings to me.

“I hoped I could take you to a welcome lunch today.”

Jeff’s voice is clearer and I realize he’s standing in the cube behind me leaning over. “I’m afraid she can’t. We’re taking her to lunch as a department.”

Ted is barely holding back his anger as he says, “Tomorrow, then.” He manages to make it sound pleasant before he tips his head to me and walks off.

Jeff sighs loudly and several other heads pop up all around me.

“He is so dreamy,” a cute blonde in glasses breathes.

“I know, he is,” says a woman with a thick Latina accent.

“I would so do that,” from another woman whose caramel skin makes her hazel eyes stand out in her pretty face.

“You are full of crap,” Jeff says to the last woman. “He hit on you and you turned him down.”

She shrugs. “My man would kick my ass.”

Jeff shakes his head. “Back to work, people.”

Everyone, including the two guys who say nothing, disappear again behind the brown walls.

“This desk is cursed,” Jeff says. “Don’t fall for him. Promise me. I don’t need to lose another employee.”

I don’t have time to ponder that because Jeff switches back to business, like he’s bipolar, as he makes his way over. We spend the day reviewing everything thoroughly. I’m impressed at his managerial skills. He seems to uncover my skill level and run with it. I learn more than I expect about their process in that single day. Except for the informative lunch, where the office dirty laundry is aired in a maelstrom of names I will never remember, I feel like we’ve accomplished a lot.

By the time I get home I’m beat. Too lazy to cook and too hungry to wait for take out, I make a salad with all the fixings. I’m just about to dig in when my phone rings.

“Jenna,” I squeal.

“Hey Love Bug, has Louise gotten a fix yet?”

I sigh. “Really, that’s what you lead off with?”

“I’m guessing that’s a no. No worries, hun. We are going to a masquerade ball when I get to town.”

“Friday?” I ask unable to contain my excitement to see her. I miss her like crazy.

“No, Saturday, but I swear, you will get laid.”

“I’m not having sex with a stranger, Jenna.”

“Stranger, smanger, baby Jesus in a manger. Have you done anything I suggested dating-wise? I researched all the ways to meet new single people in DC and you do nothing with that golden information.”

“No,” I murmur.

“Not even Match.com?”

“Of course not, and do not ask about those hook up apps.”

“What’s wrong with Swiping Left?” she asking while barely containing her laughter.

The app she refers to has potential dating partner’s profile pics show up on your screen. If you liked what you see, you swipe right to see if that person also likes your picture. If you don’t like how they look, you swipe left. It seems too mean for me. Someone with low self-esteem might be pushed over the edge if they swipe right and that person swipes left.

“So many things,” I say.

“Whatever, you will find the man of your dreams at the masquerade ball.”

“What’s so special about this ball? Other than spending way too much on a dress I won’t ever wear again.”

“What’s so special? All the movers and shakers of the city will be in attendance. There will be so many eligible bachelors there. You’re bound to meet someone. And don’t worry about a dress. I have that covered.”

By the time we get off the phone, I’m actually pretty excited. Not so much about meeting a man or dressing up and seeing celebrities, if what Jenna says is to be believed. I can’t wait to see her. I think about Andy in a tux and how he looked the other night. I check my phone and he hasn’t called. I ponder texting him but decide maybe it’s for the best that we don’t have further contact. We have too much history for us to ever work.

The next day, Jeff manages to wiggle me out of lunch with Ted. Easy when it’s his assistant who calls while Jeff is sitting at my desk.

“I have to go to a meeting,” Jeff sighs. “The vultures are here.”

“Vultures?”

“The auditors. They’re like a Rottweiler with a bone. They latch onto to any one mistake and make a huge deal about it.”

For the first time, I feel bad. Here I am, one of those auditor types, spying on these good people. When they find out what Ted has contracted me do, they’ll hate me. I barely know them, but they’ve made me feel so welcome.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“An auditor,” I jest.

He laughs. “I’ll be back in an hour if I’m not torn to pieces.”

I sit staring at the computer wondering how to handle everything once the truth comes out, when I get a call from Mandy.