Meet Clara Andrews: A totally vacuous girl with a hangover... by Lacey London Read Free Book Online Page A

procrastinating over the politics of office life and what exactly constitutes an ‘inter work relation.’ I glance over to Oliver and a devilish thought dances around my mind. Well, if Marc and Gina are doing it. No, Bad Clara.

Chapter 12
     
    The next few days race by in a cloud of fast food, fun and I have to admit it, a little flirting. By the time Friday morning arrives, I can not to wait to get into work. My usual morning routine of a quick shower and change, has evolved into a fully blown military procedure. I have been getting up an entire hour earlier than normal to ensure I am preened and presented to perfection.
    I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed work more. My typical boring, lunch times have been replaced with take outs to the studio. Chinese on Tuesday, Mexican on Wednesday and yesterday we had the most amazing Thai curry. I really am going to have to squeeze in some spinning classes. I must be consuming my daily calorie allowance in my lunch hour alone. Oliver’s addiction to junk food isn’t the only thing I have discovered this week. He also has a love for the Caribbean, astronomy and weirdly the Royal Family. He is also an only child and grew up in Houston, Texas before moving to Austin for work when he was just twenty three.
    Being so wrapped up in Oliver has made me almost forget about my date with George tomorrow night. It feels rather bizarre to have a date lined up with one man, whilst crushing like crazy on another. I keep reminding myself that it isn’t a crime to find someone attractive, and let’s face it, who wouldn’t find Mr. Morgan attractive?
     
    I arrive at the office and head straight for the seventh floor, clutching a tray of Starbucks coffees tightly. I haven’t really seen much of Lianna, working from the sixth floor studio and not heading out for lunch means we have missed our afternoon gossips. Marching over to her desk, I notice that she is not here yet. I place a cappuccino in front of her computer and draw a smiley face on a sticky note before attaching it to her phone. Smiling to myself, I make a beeline for Marc’s office and let myself in. He is shaking his head furiously, with his phone stuck to his ear. Raising his hand in acknowledgment, he takes the coffee and mouths thank you, before flashing me the universal ‘I’ll call you’ sign. Nodding, I give him a little wave and let myself out.
    Good deed done for the day, I head for the stairs. Having that delicious Friday feeling makes the final working day of the week so much better. What is it about being set free for two whole days that is so exhilarating? Feeling rather giddy, I shrug off my jacket and place the two remaining beverages on the work top. I prop myself up on the surface and begin scrolling through my emails. I am deleting the junk messages when I hear Oliver enter the studio.
    ‘Good morning!’ I smile and hand him a steaming hot coffee, black just as he likes it.
    ‘Sugar?’ He responds, taking a sip and grimacing.
    I produce a handful of brown sugar sachets from my handbag and watch as he pours the contents of three packets into his coffee.
    ‘Better?’
    ‘Perfect.’ He nods gratefully, lifting his bag up on to the table and pulling out a plastic wallet.
    He takes out a sheet of paper and hands it to me. It’s an invite to a fashion exhibition in Manchester. My eyes take in the print and I feel a frisson of excitement.
    ‘I was sent this last night. I thought it might be useful to go down there, try to get some inspiration, see what else is out there, that kind of thing.’
    ‘I think you mean up there not down. Manchester is about three hours north of here.’
    ‘In that case, we should probably set off on the Friday,’ he muses, taking the sheet from me.
    ‘We?’ I stutter, my heart starting to pound.
    ‘Yeah. I just need to square it with Marc, but I can’t see it being an issue. You cool with giving up your weekend for this? I promise it will be educational.’ He winks