XOXO: A Bundle of Cozy Novellas

Owen

OWEN

Just as Edmund disappeared into Jude’s office, it dawned on Owen that the highlight of his workweek was Edmund Lake stopping by his desk. He’d been in a better humor than usual that morning, and until Edmund arrived, Owen hadn’t been able to figure out where it stemmed from. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was about Edmund that raised his spirits, not exactly. One thing was certain, though: Edmund treated Owen like a human being who mattered, not like someone he was trying to charm the literal pants off of, or a piece of furniture to be moved around at will, or a robot.

The front doors swooshed open, letting a blast of cold air, and Andy Dunn, inside. Owen grimaced inwardly and thought maybe he was cursed to never forget his errors in judgment. Plastering a smile on his face, he watched of those errors in judgment saunter into the lobby. Months ago, before he’d even applied at Canopus… well, how was Owen to know Andy worked at the very same place where Owen would land a job nearly a year later? How was he to know a hookup would turn up at his new job—and be a complete douche nozzle.

That was the joy of meaningless sex, right? When it was over, it was over. And yet… Owen still hadn’t managed to shake Andy. Owen had rules, and the first was he didn’t sleep with guys more than once. But he actually hadn’t slept with anyone in quite a while, had he?

Andy drawled, “Owen, it’s great to see you.”

His coworker was fine looking, Owen supposed, but there was something off about him in the daylight. His hair was always slightly greasy, and his eyes were too close together. When Andy waggled his eyebrows suggestively, Owen wanted to gag. What had he seen in him? It must’ve been the dim lighting and several vodka sodas he’d had at the bar that fateful evening. Why couldn’t he have had a hookup that led to him falling in love and living happily ever after? Honestly, there must be something wrong with him, because he’d hardly had a crush on anyone since high school—hence the reason he didn’t ever stay the night.

“Hi, Andy.”

“You want to go barhopping tonight?”

“Thanks for the invite, but I’m going to have to pass.”

“Don’t be like that, Owen, all work and no play.”

Like what? Like someone who could say no and have his answer respected? Owen forced himself not to scowl. His cell phone chose that moment to buzz, so he didn’t reply to Andy’s passive-aggressive words. How was he supposed to respond to a comment like that, anyway? He didn’t want to outright tell the guy he would never get another chance, because he had to see Andy at work… but Andy was making it very difficult.

A glance at his cell-phone screen had Owen saying distractedly, “Apologies, I have to take this.” It was the assisted living home where Aunt Pearl lived.

“Hello? Owen Addison here.” As he spoke into the receiver, he stepped away from his desk, leaving Andy waiting.

The long and short was, Pearl had fallen in her apartment and needed to be hospitalized. They were transporting her to the local hospital and would let Owen know when she’d been admitted. With shaking hands, he clicked off, trying to make plans in his head about how he’d get to Wenatchee from Skagit. He didn’t own a car these days, and while he liked long bicycle rides, riding over Stevens Pass in December was a ridiculous idea.

Fuck.

Double fuck that he was a new employee and didn’t have vacation time accrued. He would have to take leave without pay and just suck it up. Hopefully there’d be a sale on dried ramen, because it looked like that’s what he’d be eating for the foreseeable future—that was, if Jude let him leave.

Jude’s office door opened while he was panicking, and Edmund emerged followed by Jude himself. As was becoming habit, Edmund made him smile while Jude made him want to hide under his desk.

“Thanks much, Edmund. Have Owen put something on my calendar for early next month.”

“Ta,” Edmund replied.

Owen kind of had a crush on Edmund’s gorgeous English accent, and normally Owen tried to get him to say more so he could just… listen to him, but he needed to speak to Jude.

He stood from his chair. “Mr. Collins—” Owen began.

“Andy, come on back.” Jude spoke over Owen, completely ignoring him. It was likely Jude’s notorious lack of people skills, but it infuriated Owen.

Without a backward glance, Jude disappeared back into his office with Andy on his heels. The door closed with a snick , and Owen sighed as he internally freaked out.

“Is there a problem?” Edmund asked.

“Yes. No. I don’t know. My great-great-aunt took a fall, and they’re taking her to the hospital. I need to ask Jude if he’ll let me take the rest of the day off. It’s kind of pointless, though. He’ll probably say no.”

Edmund frowned. “Why wouldn’t he agree?”

“I’m still new and don’t have any time saved up. But also, I think I’ve managed to get on his bad side. I’m pretty sure he regrets hiring me.”

“Tosh, why would he regret hiring you? And anyway, this is your family!”

Owen loved that Edmund was outraged for him, but it wouldn’t matter. He had a choice: he could leave and make sure Pearl was okay like they hoped, or he could stay and earn the money to help pay for her care. Fucking life choices. He needed to see her with his own eyes. Owen knew she would pass away soon and had thought he was prepared for it, but he wasn’t. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the one person in his life who’d always been there for him and who he loved with all his heart.

“I don’t think Jude cares much about family. He doesn’t have any around here that I know of—maybe he just doesn’t get it. He’s all about performance and goals, new product. The entire reason he stocks this place with food is to keep people from leaving over the lunch hour. This couldn’t have happened at a worse time.” Owen paced from his desk to the middle of the lobby and back, running both hands through his hair in frustration.

He didn’t want to tell Edmund he didn’t have a car. It just seemed too pathetic for a nearly thirty-year-old man. If he had a car, at least he could leave for Wenatchee after work and drive back to Skagit in the morning. But since he didn’t have a car at the moment, it was a moot point.