Chapter 8

Eight

H ollis

“Maple, can I see you in my office?”

My brain still hasn’t gotten used to being called that name, even though I’m wearing this woman’s body. So at first, I don’t hear Clint talking to me. I’m far too deep in an internet rabbit hole about demon possession, demon spells, and deals with demons. Someone on Reddit posted a link to some old Angelfire website. Shit, that’s a throwback. Who knew those were still around? That user led me to another weird site, which led me to another, and now I’m sorting through pdfs uploaded on the sly by members of supposed witch covens, vampire nests, werewolf packs, and demon legions. It’s shocking to learn how many people believe in this horseshit. It’s pretty disheartening, actually, but it explains a lot about the state of the world.

Yeah, I’m still holding on to the theory that someone spiked our beer last night and all of this is some alternate reality going on while we’re asleep or lying on a hospital bed somewhere, probably deep underground in a military bunker, with people in lab coats running tests on us. While not ideal, it’s preferable to accepting the existence of magic and wishes coming true. As soon as the festival opens for lunch today, I’m tracking down that little bastard who sold us the beer. Or after Maple’s doctor visit. Shudder.

“Maple.”

Yes, Maple. Maple, Maple, Maple. What will I do about her once we figure this mess out? After she’s had a peek at my life, lived in my skin, there’s no way in the world she would give me a shot. As if that sweet rule follower would ever enter into a relationship with the company’s boss in the first place.

The sound of a man clearing his throat loudly has me spinning around in my chair.

Clint. Oh yeah, “my” boss. Hopefully, just for today.

He looks past me and has a strange look on his face. Shit, I forgot to minimize my screen. That janky website with leering, flashing animated demon faces will not win Maple any points with this man. Crap.

“Hey! Hi.”

Clint lowers his chin and glowers at me. “In my office, please.”

Ah shit. This sounds serious.

As I follow him in and he gestures for me to close the door behind me, my mind hearkens back to the last time I was brought into a boss’s office for a talking to. At least a decade, it’s been.

“What’s up, man?”

Clint shoots me a look that tells me that was a totally inappropriate way to address him. Oops. I sink into the chair opposite him and keep my lips pressed together.

I decide it’s better to keep my mouth shut and wait for him to talk. This is tough going, though. My mouth wants to open and start babbling. Why?

And why do I have this overwhelming urge to apologize when I didn’t do anything wrong? That’s not like me.

Also, why do I feel anxious while waiting for him to talk? That’s not like me, either.

After some time, the man, apparently losing steam while waiting for me to fill the silence with chatter, says, “Obviously, you’re wondering why I called you in here.”

“One would think,” I blurt, smirking up at him. Clint lowers his chin to peer at me over the top of his glasses. The way he’s leaning on the edge of his desk, trying to look casual while also looking down at me—this guy is a piece of work. I remember when I hired Clint just out of college. He was as benign and eager to please as Brayden. Now he’s starting to seem like a bit of a dick. This is surprising. I hadn’t noticed that about him at the office party. We’d reminisced about the company’s early days, and I’d thought he was still a cool guy.

So, what the hell does he want with Maple? My hackles are up.

“I’ll get right to the point then, Ms. Morrissey. Be careful going over my head to get what you want.”

I say nothing, waiting for him to expand on that.

“Hollis Hardy is not your buddy. He has a soft spot for employees of your…stature…but trust me. He’s not your friend. He likes to dole out favors to keep you placated. Like, calling me to tell me to give you the afternoon off after I’d denied your request. But he’s not going to help you succeed in the long run. Trust me, that’s my job. We’re here to work. We work until five p.m. on Fridays. We don’t fuck off work and go shopping or golfing.”

Simultaneously, I feel small but also close to boiling. I would headbutt this tool if I wasn’t concerned about bruising Maple’s pretty face.

“Who’s going shopping, Clint? She…I have a fucking doctor’s appointment. By all accounts, not a fun one.”

The man appears both offended and mystified. It looks like he’s not used to his employees talking to him like this. I’m safe from getting Maple fired, though. I haven’t said or done anything insubordinate. If he does fire her, I’ll hire her back. And put Clint on probation for being a jackass.

He squints at me and then smiles. “Well, you got your favor from Hollis, like I said. You take your afternoon off, and we’ll revisit your commitment to OnPoint on Monday.”

Her commitment? “I guess you don’t notice me busting my ass every other day. And by the way, if you cared about helping me reach my career goals, maybe you should have said a good word to Hollis about me. Maybe you could have literally said anything at all to him about my presentation. It was better than Brayden’s. You know it was.”

What can I say? I was excellent in debate in high school. I can argue both sides.

Clint pushes himself off the edge of the desk, walks to the window, and then turns back to me.

“You know, I hired you because you were a team player. You used to be willing to do whatever was asked of you to help the company. But now, you’re different. The office party was the first time I’d seen you join an after-hours social thing, maybe ever. So it seems you are interested in getting ahead and getting to know the boys in New York. You’re just not interested in being an integral part of the Birchdale office. Maybe I misjudged you. Maybe you are just in it for yourself.”

Is this speech finished yet? Because I gotta pee. Damn, this woman has to pee a lot. And I’m also freezing in this body. They keep it so cold in here my nipples are hurting, and my skin is starting to flake off.

“All I’m getting out of this visit with you, Clint, is ideas about changes that need to be made around this office. Are we done? Because I have some client emails to catch up on.”

Clint gestures toward the door to dismiss me, making a face. He’s not pleased.

I head out to my cubicle, feeling like I went too far but also getting the sense that Maple doesn’t stick up for herself.

Your boss is a dick.

Maple doesn’t respond to my text right away, which annoys me. Then I remember I more or less told her to wing it at a board of directors meeting. Knowing her, she’s either deep into meeting prep or on her way to the office from the airport. Or both.

Well, I might as well help her get some work done while I’m here. Since Clint is questioning her work ethic and all.

Opening her email, it doesn’t seem like she’s got much to catch up on. Of course, I would expect her to exaggerate about lagging behind. Having watched her buzz around the office all week, I have no doubt about how hard she works.

Oh, but wait…what is this? Before long, I’ve stumbled upon an internal chat that has been left open on Maple’s computer. I should close it out, but my eyes instinctively scan down and my name jumps out at me.

I scroll. I shouldn’t do it, but who could resist?

Hayley: Is he single? Do you know? What’s his story.

Maple: No idea. He’s so…I don’t know…unreadable. Impossible to tell.

Hayley: He’s mysterious AF and sexy!

Maple: I guess he’s hot in a conventional way, but that stoic demeanor seems put on, don’t you think? Pretentious, almost.

Hayley: Pretentious or not, I’m a sucker for a grump. Like Beauty and the Beast.

Maple: Without fangs or fur. Or emotions. Or personality.

I look away from the screen, feeling dirty. And a little bit hurt. Of course, I keep reading.

Hayley: He can bar me from leaving his creepy castle any day of the week, and I would not even require a library or talking candelabras and shit.

Okay. I should stop reading. This is none of my business. A glutton for punishment, I read on.

Maple: Except instead of a castle, it’s a creepy vampire apartment in NYC.

Hayley: SIGN ME UP

Maple: Oh boy…

Hayley: Hollis Hard-on.

Maple: HAYLEY. You have a boyfriend.

Hayley: I know. YOU should hit that.

Maple: I’m not going to “hit” anything.

Hayley: Not with that attitude, you’re not.

I’m now in a full-body sweat. Maple’s phone reminds me it’s time to leave for her doctor’s appointment. Anxiety sweat on top of embarrassment sweat on top of stress sweat.

Maple wanted me to experience life in her shoes? And I’m starting to see why.

I unlock her phone and see that she’s replied to my text.

I don’t know if I should be talking about Clint to you. But off the record? Yes, he’s kind of a dick.

No kind-of about it. He’s a dick.

Oh shit. Am I in trouble?

For what? No! I told him there needed to be some changes in the office. He seemed surprised that you would stick up for yourself.

Hollis, what did you do? He’s going to make me work the weekend!

Ha. He can’t.

Watch.

I’m his boss, remember?

Not in my body, you’re not. Please don’t get me fired.

If I do, then you can just rehire me. Or you. You know what I mean.

Shit, Hollis. It’s almost noon. I have to go to a meeting, and you have to go to my appointment. Any last-minute words before I tank your career?

Relax. Be in the moment. It’ll be over before you know it. Now, do you have any Xanax in your desk, or do I need to hit Mom’s whiskey stash before I go to the doctor?

Just relax. Be in the moment. It’ll be over before you know it.

MAPLE.

BYE.