I sigh, adjusting my nightshirt as I sprawl on the bed. "Ugh, don't remind me. Mark's been on my case about the marketing campaign for this new client, sending his usual snarky emails about 'deadlines' like I'm not already drowning. And yeah, he's still hitting on me—keeps dropping these gross, subtle hints, like calling me 'babe' in meetings or leaning way too close when we're reviewing proofs. It's exhausting. Plus, I'm pretty sure Sarah's gunning for my team lead spot. She's been 'forgetting' to include me in key meetings, and I caught her cozying up to Mark yesterday, probably trying to win him over. But I'm stuck waiting on copy from the team—they're not sending it till tomorrow, so I can't do anything tonight. I already prepped my presentation earlier, stayed late at work to get it done. That's why I was out grabbing coffee and books in the first place."
Lena whistles. "Yikes. Sarah's playing dirty, and Mark's being a sleaze. You gotta call her out, Elise. Stand up for yourself! And maybe tell Mark to keep his 'babe' comments to himself before you slap an HR complaint on him."
I laugh, the tension in my chest easing further as I sit up on the bed, fiddling with a loose button on my nightshirt. "Yeah, maybe. I just need to nail this campaign by Monday, and waiting on the team's copy is killing me. Honestly, it's distracting enough that I'm already forgetting about Mr. Mysterious and his stupidly perfect smile."
I don't need that kind of trouble. He's definitely Trouble with a capital T.
"Good," Lena says. "Focus on work, outsmart Sarah, and shut Mark down. Mystery Biker can wait. If your biker's as bold as you say, he'll show up again."
Am I desperate? One day and I am obsessed with a borderline stalker.
I nod, even though she can't see me, and glance toward the living room again, where my book Song of Russian Ice and Secrets waits, its tale of Peter and Catherine's passion still tangled with my own fleeting daydreams of the biker.
I thank Lena, promise to keep her posted, and hang up, the weight of the day settling over me like a heavy blanket. I'm exhausted, my mind flickering with the biker's swagger and Lena's wild story, so I decide it's time for bed.