“Nothing about you is worth my job.”
“Don’t pretend like you won’t come crawling, begging for it.”
Her chest rises and falls, and she blinks rapidly, her cheeks pink.
I take her left hand, the one with the big diamond on the ring finger. Run my thumb over it. “I bet it’s been a while since you two had sex.” My voice lowers, smooths.
“We have an active sex life.”
I clock the lie on her face.
“Just say the word.” I kiss her hand.
She snatches it away and wipes it on her sleeve.
“What? ‘Please’?” She pats my arm. “You’re not original, McCarthy. Also, I think you’re the one who needs to learn that word.”
Her eyes flick down and then back up.
I smirk. Blow her a kiss.
She’s screechy.
“At least I don’t have personal hygiene issues to deal with in this PR plan. You did manage to wash your boy parts this morninglike a grown-up.”
I lean over her. Tilt up her chin so I can stare down at her.
“Don’t go crying to HR yet. I give it a week before you crack.”
3
JENNA
Imanage to keep the tears at bay until I’m safely at my desk. Prism PR will never spring for cubicles, but at least it’s late and the row of desks is empty.
Truman licks my hand as I sob.
“Oh, Jenna.” Hannah slips a plate of meeting leftovers onto my desk. It’s pasta salad from my favorite deli.
“No, no.” I wave her away when she tries to hug me. “You know I’m a crier. You’re supposed to be helping me break the habit.”
“You had a hard day. And you didn’t cry in Berthy’s office, so you get a sticker for that.” She pats my back. “Did you cry in front of McCarthy?”
“Just barely avoided it.” I lean back in my chair. “I’m not cut out for this PR-consultant life. I can’t wait to get married and have Nathan’s babies, then I’ll never work again. Sevenmonths until the wedding, then I can start living my dream life!”
“Is Nathan going to let you quit work right after?”
“I think he wants me to keep working until we have a baby. We need a bigger place for all the children we want.”
“Something to look forward to, even if it is Nathan.” Hannah dabs at my eyes.
“He’s so horrible. He’s the worst man I’ve ever met.”
“Nathan? I mean, he’s not great, but I think Brock was worse, objectively speaking.”
“No! Nathan is amazing! He’s my dream man,” I say firmly. “I meant McCarthy.”
“Eeeh, your mom’s had some real doozies of boyfriends she’s brought around. At least McCarthy is hot.”
