There's Merit In Knocking On Your Ex's Office Door, Especially When Clothing Is Involved

Day 190 of The Andie Chronicles

When the schedule arrived from Douglas last week, the December launch date for Highway was the least of my worries. 

I had to endure the onslaught of unreasonable deadlines that preceded this; he needed all fifty-four of my designs by the close of business Wednesday. Usually, that meant five in the afternoon, but for Douglas, he expected everything by midday. He needed the extra time to rubbish it and give his staff a mere few hours to fix it. 

I decided to get ahead of the unreasonable curve and present him with my design two days earlier. Despite feeling proud of my approach, it meant having a private meeting with my ex. After the weekend of having to compare Douglas with my current boyfriend, Cooper, it was the last thing I needed. 

Angela set up a time for me to see him. Of course, it was his first appointment time, five past eight. I had never been in the office before nine, nor had I ever seen what time Douglas actually graced the office with his presence. 

I strutted into Douglas' office at the exact moment of our meeting. I didn't bother knocking or introducing myself. He never showed me the same respect in return. 

But as I exploded through his double doors, I found Douglas by his desk, in the middle of putting his arm through his shirt sleeve. 

"Fuck, sorry," I quipped the moment I saw his naked torso, turning to face the other wall. "I will wait until you're decent." 

I noted how unimpressive his physique now seemed. I couldn't remember the last time I had seen it in the flesh. Yet, upon brief analysis, it paled compared to Cooper's athletic build. 

Douglas chuckled under his breath. "You can watch if you like?" 

"Why on earth would I want to watch you get changed?" It was a rhetorical question; I didn't want him to answer. But his snickers continued, as well as the unwelcome flirting from my ex.

"Because you know when we're together, we make magic."

"I don't remember this so-called magic. It's been so long; it's almost like it didn't happen." I paused and waited for his reaction. It never came. "Can I show you my designs yet?"

I heard Douglas take his seat at his desk from the sound of the leather squeaking as his silk suit trousers met the cushion. "Yeah, come on then."

I never wanted Douglas' approval. I needed to get through my workday in one piece, unscathed, as best as possible. And when he took my designs and sincerely praised my drawings, I was taken aback.

"Most of them are spot on," he said. "Now, leave my office unless you want to relive old memories."

By the time the day ended, I felt somewhat elated. The man who wanted to screw me over, and screw me, was impressed by my work.

And I was ahead of the deadline whilst managing to keep my cool with the guy who makes me lose my cool. 

And when I felt like I had won, a parcel was waiting on the front doorstep when I got home. My sample design. 

It was perfect. 

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You’re reading The Andie Chronicles, the 2023 romance-fiction series from the 1 Lovelock Drive (1LD) universe.

By the way, this all started when Andie turned thirty-five, and her then-boyfriend didn’t call her.

Or the day after that.

Or the day after that, too. 

Everything started to unravel when her BFFs got into bed with her ex, too… ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

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A little lost on what’s happening at 1 Lovelock Drive?

Well, you see, Andie’s break-up started back in February and so much has happened since then. These stories will help you catch right up! xx