I pinch the bridge of my nose and doctor up my coffee before heading back into my office. I didn’t realize it was this stuffy until I step back inside. I loosen my tie and set down my cup, then head over to the window and crack it a smidge. I don’t notice that Ainsley is staring at me until I turn around.
“Is something wrong?” I ask.
Ainsley rises from her chair and smoothes her skirt. Damn, this woman knows how to dress. Everything she wears fits her just right, hugging every curve on her delicious body. She takes a step toward me, hesitant.
“I just got an email from your dentist.”
This is not what I was expecting. “Um, okay.” I say, “Did you schedule a check-up or whatever it is he wanted?”
“It was an automated message from his office.”
“They usually are.”
“Wishing you a Happy Birthday.”
My breath catches in my throat. Of course, I didn't forget that it was today, but I was trying to avoid it with all my might. “Oh,” I clear my throat. “How kind of them.”
“Mr. Clayton, I had no idea it was--”
“How could you?” I cut her off. “I didn’t tell you, and no one in the office knows.”
“Why?” She asks. “We always make cupcakes or something. It’s nice to celebrate, you know?”
“No, I don’t know.” The thick air in the room grows unbearable. I tilt my head to the side and crack my neck. “I don’t celebrate it.”
“Really?” She crosses her arms over her chest and shifts her weight into one hip, her guard melting before my eyes. “I love my birthday. I usually celebrate the whole week.” An awkward silence hangs between us, and I know what she’s going to ask, but I pray to God she doesn’t. “Why don’t you celebrate?”
There it is.
“Because I don’t have anyone to celebrate with.”
“What are you talking about?” A shy smile spreads across her face. It’s amazing how the tiniest amount of Ainsley’s joy lights up the entire room. “You have an entire office full of people who would celebrate with you.”
“I doubt that very much.”
“What about family?” Her eyes dart to her shoes. “Or, a girlfriend?”
“No one,” I say, feeling the unbearable weight of my words. “My parents are dead. I’m an only child. I don’t speak to my extended family, and I’m single.” The last part comes out quicker and sharper than I intend.
Ainsley brushes her chestnut hair behind her ear. “Well, I think someone besides your dentist should wish you a happy birthday, Mr. Clayton.” The look of pity splashed across her face is almost too much to bear. “So, Happy Birthday.”
My heart breaks in my chest. It’s been years since anyone knew of my birthday, let alone verbalized their well wishes.
“Get back to work, Miss North,” I say as a swelling of emotion rises in my throat. I have to turn away, so she doesn’t see them written all over my face.
Five
Ainsley
No wonder Vance Claytonis such a meanie. I’d be a bit of a stick in the mud if I didn’t have anyone to wish me a Happy Birthday, either. Not to mention, celebrate all of the holidays with. No one to open presents with, cut the turkey with, watch scary movies and cuddle up with—no one. It doesn’t exactly excuse his excessive bullying, which seems to be as severe as it gets when it comes to me, but I at least see part of why he acts like he does.
I don’t speak another word about his birthday, but I get up extra early the next day and head to the florist. As silly as it sounds and as horrible as he’s been to me, I want him to know that he’s not alone. There’s no worse feeling in the world than that of having no one. I’ve been there so many times in my life, and I refuse to let him feel that way.
The sweet woman behind the counter shows me the cheesiest mug with a yellow smiley face on it and the words “Happy Birthday, Boss” written around the edges. I giggle when I see it and know that that’s the one. With what little spending money I have left for the week, I have her arrange a modest bouquet, then I stop for a cup of coffee before heading into the office.
As planned, I get there just a little earlier than Mr. Clayton. This gives me enough time to set the bouquet on his desk before he arrives. Hell, even Evelyn isn’t in the office yet, and she’s usually the first one here. Part of me wonders if this is overstepping my boundaries, but a bigger part of me doesn’t care. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some sort of strange, fucked up feelings for him. I have a thing for wounded puppies, for lone wolves. Now I know for a fact that Vance Clayton falls perfectly into those categories.
I head to the kitchen and grab a granola bar from the stash. I didn’t have time to make breakfast, so my stomach rumbles as I tear open the wrapper. A quick stop by reception as Evelyn arrives, just to make sure all of Mr. Clayton’s conference rooms are ready for today’s slew of meetings, and I head back to his office, where he’s still holding my desk hostage.