Jules

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Jules Beauregard was only lying slightly when he said, “I’m not sleeping. I’m thinking with my eyes closed.” He wasn’t sleeping since he was talking, but he had been sleeping when the door to his office had opened. He didn’t sleep at work—he took great pride in his job—but the morning after the full moon was always rough on him, and since he was waiting on a confirmation email from a client he thought he’d sit back and relax for a minute. He hadn’t intended to fall asleep.

Luckily, being a werebear meant his senses were sharp, even when in human form. He heard the office door open and woke up. Keeping his eyes closed was just a ploy to play it cool. Now he was glad he had.

He opened his eyes and looked from Freddie to the girl in the doorway and back. “Who’s the girl?”

“Your intern.”

“We’ve been over this, Freddie.”

“All I remember is the part where you still want to get paid.”

Jules pulled his feet off the desk and stood. He noted that the girl’s eyes had gone even wider. He smiled at her. “Have a seat. My esteemed boss and I need to have a few words.” Out in the hall with the door closed behind them, Jules said, “No, Freddie. I’m not taking on an intern. This isn’t a good time.”

Freddie grinned. “Sure it is. With Jeremy down for the next month, we’ve all got more work. She’ll help you with the extra load.”

“Why not one of the others?”

“Because you’re the best in the office and she actually wants to learn something.”

“I don’t want to teach her! I don’t want to babysit the college kid.”

“She’s not exactly a kid,” Freddie said. Jules was glad he had the door closed as Freddie peered over his shoulder at the frosted glass window. He was equally glad the glass was nearly opaque.

“Then you teach her.”

Freddie patted Jules on the arm. “You’ve got this. Besides, with your recent breakdown I thought you’d appreciate some help.”

“I don’t consider this help,” Jules said through gritted teeth.

“Look, try it for the rest of the week. If it’s not working, I’ll move her. I think you’re her best bet at learning something valuable.” Freddie stuck his hands in his pockets and walked off. Jules watched him go.

He opened the office door and went in. The girl was standing by the desk. Part of him wanted to roll his eyes—he had asked her to sit, and if she was going to work with him he needed her to listen to instructions. Another part of him was pleased that she wasn’t a pushover. That was enough to balance his temper, which was directed at Freddie so she didn’t deserve to take the backlash.

“Hi,” he said. “I’m Jules.”