My Grumpy Alpha

Ava

He seems tense and super focused. I know that’s kind of how he is, at least a little bit, but he’s been off today, it seems.

I grab him lunch.

He eats it, but doesn’t look at me for the next few hours. I bring in his paperwork; I ask if he needs water. I try to be the best assistant ever, and he’s still staring at his computer and grunting at me like I’m annoying him more than helping.

Frowning, I go back to my desk outside his office and sit.

It’s nice here.

I truly like it.

I have enough food to not starve and the rest of the employees seem to love the place and are all extremely happy and positive. Gabe checks in on me at least twice every hour to make sure that I’m okay, which I find kind of weird, but I think it’s because he’s the right-hand guy under Eli.

“Hey.” Speak of the devil. Gabe walks up in his navy suit and perfect white smile. “You ate right?”

I grin back. “I had food, yes, and I’m good. Did you eat?”

He licks his bottom lip then tugs it, why are both men so attractive? It’s not fair. “Yeah, I ate something.”

“What did you have?”

He looks away, then down at his feet. “Meat.”

“Good meat?” I ask.

His eyes lock on mine. “It was great, so do you have any questions? Do you need anything?”

I open my mouth to answer when the door to Eli’s office is thrown open. I’ve never seen a man power walk in slow motion before, but that is literally what he’s doing. My brain accepts that he’s purposeful in his steps, but my stupid heart keeps going, damn.

Just. Damn.

He stops in front of my desk. “Close your mouth?”

It was open?

I close it and stand. “Do you need something?”

“Yes.” He squeezes his eyes shut, then opens them in a flash. “I need a date.”

“Ummm.” Not what I expected. “Okay, I can probably find someone to help you out with that on some dating website or maybe hire someone and—”

“—No.” He clips out. “You’re coming. Wear something nice.” He turns to Gabe. “I trust you’ll help her out?”

“Absolutely.” Gabe grins. “That’s clearly my new job title, helper outer.”

“Don’t be cute. It’s exhausting.” Eli walks off.

And I’m left with Gabe staring at me, me staring at him.

“So…” Gabe nods slowly. “He’s annoyed and slightly pissed, did not have that planned so early in the day. Let’s go grab a dress. I have no clue what he needs, but I’ll look at his calendar, probably a dinner he has to go to or an event, though I didn’t see anything on his schedule. We’ll figure it out. It’s best to just ask for forgiveness than permission with him.”

I shake my head. “He just keeps getting better and better, he’s like a wolf.”

Gabe bursts out laughing. “Yeah, exactly like that. Good eye.”

An hour later and I’m ready to punch Gabe, track down Eli, and then quit my job. I’ve never in my life tried on so many dresses.

Ever.

And you’d think that I’d be so thankful, but I’m tired, I’m hungry, and no dress seems to pass what Gabe says is the mark.

What the hell is a mark?

I’ve been up since five, we’re closing in on dinnertime and I’m still putting on tight dresses that look like crap on my body.

I grab the last one.

It’s red, blood red. I don’t imagine it’s going to look good. It’s strapless and also just plunges way too deep down my boobs, and magically it’s able to stay put while the back plunges to my ass.

It’s beautiful, but it’s daring and definitely not me or my style, but I put it on anyway.

Miraculously, it fits and looks good.

I prepare for another head shake from Gabe.

But when I walk out, he drops the coffee he’s drinking onto the small table and falls onto the couch. “This.”

“This?” I point at myself.

“That.” He points back at me. “Is your dress. Damn, wish I liked—” He shakes his head. “Never mind. This is the dress. Your dress. His dress. Fuck, he’s going to kill me. Okay, time to check out since you only have two hours to get ready and I booked you some makeup and hair. Hope you don’t mind.”

“What?”

“Hmmm?” He’s looking down at his phone. “Just kidding, we only have ninety minutes, all right, go change.”

“Um.”

“Try not to do the ums or ~likes~. Think for three seconds, then speak, otherwise you sound like an idiot.” He grins. “Go, go, go. We don’t have a lot of time.”

I turn on my heel and go back into the changing room.

What just happened?

I’m not exactly panicking, but this wasn’t what I thought my first day would be like. I quickly put my old clothes back on and walk out with the dress. Gabe buys everything, including the shoes, and then walks me toward the opposite side of the street to a hotel.

“Hair and makeup are inside,” he whispers and hands me the dress. “Room 221, here’s the card, go up and get everything done, it’s already been taken care of and be down here at eight. Got it?”

I grab the card. “Yes.” No, I don’t got it. “Absolutely.” I need this job. “I’ll be down right after they’re done and I’ll look hopefully extremely glamorous for whatever event this is.”

“The Hi Gala.” He grins. “Eli is an idiot and forgot. So you’re right on theme, and you’re his date. Have fun!”

I nearly pass out on the spot. “I’m sorry, did you say the Hi Gala?”

“Yeah, it’s every year.”

“I know it’s every year!”

“Why are you yelling?”

“Because!” I almost stomp my foot. “That’s one of the biggest galas ever, celebrities go, influencers, and I’m just now hearing about this? How did he forget?”

Gabe shrugs. “He’s busy, I’m busy. Things like this are trivial. You’ll be fine, just smile, wave, shake hands, you’ll be good and don’t forget the champagne, they always have the best champagne.”

He waves and suddenly he just walks off and gets into a black car.

And I’m left with oh don’t forget the champagne, here’s your key card to your hotel room with a glam squad.

And Eli.