Not trusting myself to keep remotely professional if I open my mouth, I nod, blissfully thankful when the elevator opens.
I peel off toward my desk, half hoping he’ll follow me even though he has no reason to, burying my disappointment when he stalks to his own desk instead.Of course he wasn’t going to follow me.It was a single conversation.Just because he knows my name and has read my work—which posts, and why?—doesn’t mean we’re friends.
I urge my pulse to calm down while I log in, and it’s almost back to normal when Sterling barges into Monica’s office and slams the door.It’s kind of a useless gesture—the glass hides nothing.As soon as she raises her voice, we’ll all hear it, and she likes that.
It keeps us in line.
The only person she’s never yelled at is Sterling.If he’s called in—and I can count the times I’ve seen it on one hand—you can’t hear a word.I’ve never met a man so attached to keeping his cards close.
Which is why the whole office jumps when the shouting starts.
“This is a business,” Monica says.“Not your personal playground.Whatever crush you’re harboring?—”
“I wasn’t asking.”Sterling casts an impressive shadow from where he looms over her desk.An immovable object.
Monica rises to the challenge, her palms pressed to her desk.“I don’t care who you want.Pick someone else.”
“No,” he responds.Short.Sharp.“If you want this story, this is what I need.It’s nonnegotiable.”
“You don’t control me, Sterling.If you don’t like my decisions, you know where the door is.”
“How long do you think you’ll keep your job after I walk?”
Silence fills the office as Monica stares him down.
“One mistake, and she’s fired.Do you understand?”
Sterling opens the door and storms out without answering her.It hits the reset button, and the rest of us scramble to pretend like we weren’t glued to every word.
I risk a look into her office and freeze.
Monica’s gaze is ice cold, twin pools of disdain pinning me to my chair.I quickly turn back to my computer.
The ache behind my eyes is building.I really wish I hadn’t skipped coffee, but at least I don’t have to face Monica.My skin care piece is due to her by the end of the day, and I need to get a jump start on my weekend assignment at the opening of Zero, this new bar downtown.
My head throbs a little harder when my phone rings, and I stare down at the empty mug in my hands.So close.I could ignore it, but what if it’s my folks?Or Alice?Maybe I won a competition I don’t remember entering, and not answering could mean passing up a brand-new car or a trip to the Seychelles.
I fish my phone out of my pocket, and it’s even better than a free trip; it’s a whole new chapter of my life.
“Hi, Mia.It’s Bryan from New Realty.I’m glad I caught you.I wanted to let you know that everything is ready for you to sign.”
I bite back a squeal of delight.
In the corner of my eye, I can see Bianca is trying to eavesdrop, but she’s intercepted by Andy, who is probably trying to pawn off his proofing again.She shoves her bowl of mints at him and scowls when he doesn’t take one.
“When can I pick up the keys?”
I need to be out before Saturday, so the sooner, the better.I’ll have to move my stuff late at night, after I’m done here, but it’ll be worth it.
“Once we confirm payment of the deposit, you can collect the keys.”
“I’ll send it right now.”
Yes, this is perfect.I needed some good news.
I jot down the address and barely get a thank-you out before he hangs up.I guess manners aren’t as important as his next commission.
Alice picks up so fast that I have to hide my smile.
