Made in America by Jamie Deschain

under suspension, which means you’re barred from this building. Don’t think your position here warrants you any special treatment. You were given an order, and I expect you to follow it. If you don’t, then your suspension will turn into something more permanent.”
    He scoffs. Thinks I’m joking. But the harder I stare, the more serious his expression becomes as he realizes I am anything but joking.
    Alan clears his throat and smooths out his suit jacket. Taking a step back, he nods and catches Raven’s eye. She looks back at him with a gleam of smugness on her face, making me feel proud for having stood up for her.
    “Fine,” Alan chirps. “Fine. I see how it is. You get yourself a hot little piece of ass and suddenly the rest of us are—”
    “I wouldn’t finish that statement if I were you,” I growl.
    And he doesn’t. He doesn’t say anything else, and that’s good. For him.
    Instead, he backs away and leaves with a slight shake of his head. Raven and I both watch him go, and I unclench my hands, which have been balled up into tight fists this entire time, ready to strike should the need have risen.
    “Wow,” she says. “I guess you told him.”
    I turn to her and say, “I meant what I said. He is suspended. The way he treated you was abominable, and I won’t have him leering over you while you work.”
    “What happens when his suspension is lifted?”
    “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
    She nods, satisfied with that answer, and I catch her giving me the once over as I stand there and look at the spot where Alan was just standing. The adrenaline surge I felt while confronting him begins to diminish, and I’m reminded of the ever-growing hunger coursing through me.
    “It’s lunch time,” I say. “Can you run down and get me something from Panera Bread. Just tell them it’s for Mr. Huffman, they’ll know what to give you.”
    “Panera Bread?” Raven cocks an eyebrow. “How about just a burger and fries?”
    “How about you just do what I say?” I don’t mean to sound harsh, but fuck I’m hungry.
    “Sure,” she says timidly, and before I can apologize, she storms off around the corner toward the elevators.
    Great, Grant. Real great.
     

- 7 -
     
    Raven
     
     
    There are so many conflicting emotions running through me as I step out of the office building and make my way across the street.
    This day was going so well. I was kicking ass at that desk, taking calls, holding calls, routing calls, booking and cancelling appointments left and right. I wasn’t sure I’d be up to handling the stress of it all, but once I found my groove, it was all systems go, and I was feeling pretty damn proud of myself for keeping up with Grant and his demands.
    And then Alan showed up. Alan fucking Danziger is the last person I expected to see during my first day on the job, but there he was, brining with him a horde of other employees to gather around my desk for show. At first the attention was sort of flattering. Being the new girl is never easy, especially in an office so big. I was happy to be able to get to know some of the people I’d be working with, even if I could feel Alan leering over me as we all spoke. His beady little eyes wouldn’t stop looking at my fun bags, and it was starting to creep me out.
    I didn’t want to make a scene on my first day, otherwise I would have told him to fuck off.
    Then Grant showed up, making a scene all his own. My God, what a display of testosterone that was. The way he stood up to Alan, who I know is one of his favored employees, was incredible. Seeing him go all alpha male like that was kind of a turn on, and by the time Alan shrunk away with his tail tucked between his legs, I thought for sure the day was back on track.
    Then he had to go ruin it by being all rude to me.
    How about you just do what I say.
    I get that he’s hungry, so am I, but that’s no excuse.
    How about you just do what I say.
    How about you just take my foot and