“I think I’m going to like it here,” he said, making us laugh again.
I booped his nose and let him go as Linden squatted to pull up and zip Atlas’s pants.
“Okay, get settled in. Go through our email, filtering out the spam and junk. Highlight what’s important. Then, I’d like you to familiarize yourself with our calendars.”
“Yessir, Mr. Cross.” His smile carried a sense of satiation, and his eyes had a dreamlike quality as he sauntered out of my office, sashaying his ass for us.
“We’re so fucked,” Linden said, as we watched Atlas go.
“Yep.”
Chapter 10
Atlas
Ilovedmyroommate,Emma McDougall. She was short, sassy, and the oldest of all our roommates at forty-one years old. She became a divorcée when her husband left her for a younger model, leaving her with nothing. They’d struggled to have kids, and her ex got tired of it. She was forced to find roommates and a job as a waitress to make ends meet.
Her blonde curls bounced as she walked ahead of me at the mall inTyson’s Corner. I’d brought her shopping to help me find more feminine, office-appropriate things. I’d already gotten fitted yesterday for a couple of new suits, one in navy blue and one in charcoal gray. Traditional colors, but they’d pair well with bright colors for ties or blouses.
“I can’t believe your boss gave you his card to shop with,” she said when she stopped to inspect a silky red blouse with bold flowers on it. Emma held it up against me. Her gray eyes scrutinized and inspected as she gnawed on her bottom lip. “God, red is your color, Atlas.”
“What can I say? I’m blessed.”
She stuck her tongue out at me, and I laughed. “I’m so jealous. My skin is so pasty, it’s hard to wear bright colors.”
“Oh, shush. You’re gorgeous, Emma-boo. Anyway, Mr. Pierce wants to make sure I’m properly dressed for work. It’s purely for business. Besides, I’ll be paying him back.” Fine, that last bit was a lie. I would’ve paid him back had Linden not insisted. Still, I felt so damn spoiled. I’d never been the center of attention in my life, other than Mom nagging me about when I was going to find a boyfriend and get married.
Emma thrust the red blouse, still on the hanger, at me. I scrambled to grab it before it fell to the ground.
“Pearls. You’ll need pearls to wear with that.”
“I have some at home.”
“Good.”
We weaved in and out of racks in the women’s department at Nordstrom. “I love this more feminine side of you, Atlas. You’re so pretty when you add a touch of makeup and combine it with masculine things. It really suits you.”
“Thanks.”
I hadn’t told her why I was dressing differently, but I would tonight when we met up with Ryder and Luna for dinner. We went out about once a month for fun and to unwind.
None of us knew each other when we moved in. It was all part of communal apartment living, making it more affordable; however, the complex also provided events and opportunities to get to know your neighbors. It was perfect for us. After we filled out our preferences on our applications, they couldn’t have picked better roommates for us. I adored all three of them.
After we made our purchases, we headed toward the makeup and perfume section, where they were offering free makeovers.
“Oh my god! Let’s do it, Em! Let’s get makeovers.”
“Oooh! Sounds fun. Maybe they can do some wonders for these wrinkles.”
I rolled my eyes so hard into my head. “Puh-lease. You have a few laugh lines and crinkles around your eyes. You donotlook your age, honey.”
“You’re so sweet, Atlas. Now to find a man who sees what you do. I’m tired of being single. No more marriage for me, but I could use some fun.”
We sat on stools as two women, who worked the counter, cleansed our faces. “Hey, can you give me something light, pretty, but that works with red lipstick?” I asked her.
“Of course. Red will look stunning on you.”
Emma’s brows shot up, and she grinned. “Told ya.”
