Out of Order | ONC 2022

18

Earl turned down his music, looking at Callum through the rear-view window. "Enjoy your weekend?"

Callum raised a brow. "I did, thanks. How'd you know?"

A grin made its way on his chauffer's face. "Just a feeling."

Callum laughed. "That obvious?"

Earl shrugged. "A little."

Callum's phone lit up with a notable ping, an email notification. Normally, Callum would've ignored it, but he knew exactly who it was from. He and Logan had been emailing each other ever since Callum dropped him off after their beach date—Logan had insisted it was one.

Dear Mr. Dawson,

I look forward to your advice at the project meeting later today. I hope my input for the next phases of the project meets your expectations. See you then.

Yours truly,

Logan Corbett

Marketing Lead

P.S. :)

Callum wanted to hide his face in his hands, knowing the pink in his cheeks was not from being out in the sun on Saturday with Logan. He breathed out through his nose to refrain from smiling like an idiot. That still didn't stop Earl's teasing as he raised a brow through the rear-view mirror. "Was that him?"

"Earl, you did sign that NDA, yes?"

"Yes, sir," he replied sharply. "When have you ever seen me say anything?"

"Never," Callum agreed. "Guess I really need to work on being subtle."

Earl smiled before turning his music up a little as he circled the parking garage. Callum fumbled for his phone as it buzzed, the caller ID displaying Charlotte's name. He frowned before answering.

"This better be good," he responded. "I was in the middle of something."

"Oh." Charlotte didn't try to sound apologetic. "My bad."

"What is it?"

She laughed. "You ready for the meeting? I don't have to postpone it like last time, right?"

"I'll be up there in a few. Why, is everyone there already?"

She hummed. "Almost. How was your weekend?"

"Did Earl talk to you?"

Earl perked up but turned back to the parking lot, turning up the ramp to find the designated stall. "No, he didn't," Charlotte said. "I'm aware you took Logan home Friday night. You sent a text that night."

Callum bit back a smile. "Ah, did I?"

"Yes." She clucked her tongue. "Did you spend the entire weekend with him?"

"No," Callum said quickly. "Just Saturday."

"And?" She said. "Anything exciting I—your assistant—should be aware of?"

Callum hummed, wondering if this was a good idea to share with her. Charlotte lived off of his drama for years, and subsequently, he'd face the receiving end of taunts and jokes from her.

"Well, it went well," he started. "That probably pleases you."

She scoffed. "As I guessed it would."

"You know how much I hate you're right," Callum said. "I don't know how you figured it out, but you were right about him."

Callum could picture the smirk on Charlotte's face as she made a triumphant sound. "I definitely deserve a raise."

"Yeah, yeah." Earl pulled into the parking stall beside the elevators. "And why didn't you tell me you were seeing Camille Suarez from the admin office?"