“You know as well as I do that needs being met are half the job.”
“Physical needs and emotional ones go hand in hand, boss. Just saying.”
For a man who is stomping haphazardly around in what he knows full well is a no trespassing zone, Diego sure is being casual right now.
“Not for me,” I answer because I’m done with this conversation. “Because unlike most of the weak ass men of this world who believe that getting caught up in the myth that is love, I actually have some control over how my feelings affect my decision making.”
“So you’re saying you do in fact have feelings,” he asks. How he got that out of what I very clearly just said is beyond comprehension.
“I am saying that I’ve made the rules and expectations of this job very clear. And if Annelise Bates can’t abide by those rules and submit to the expectations, there are going to be repercussions.”
Chapter 20
Ellie
Ilove my job.
I didn’t think I’d be saying that after finding out just what kind of job it is. It’s amazing on a day-to-day basis. I get up; I take Luca to before-school care, and I head into the city that has finally earned its appeal back. I used to love Las Vegas for what it was but life and the mundane and terrible men have a way of ruining that for a girl. But I can honestly say, as I zip up designer dresses and slip into sexy underwear every day, I am learning to love Las Vegas again. I am not just a mom anymore. I am a high-paid, valued employee at one of the ritziest hotels in the city. And everything from my bank account to my wardrobe shows it.
Every day that I leave the building, I feel just as good as when I walked in. I go pick up Luca from his after-school programs or the sitter, depending on the day, and I enjoy the rest of my day. I turn my brain off and we play games, go to parks, do art, grab ice cream, have dinner and that’s that. In other words, for the first time since I got pregnant, I get to clock out. Unless I’m working the night shift…which has only happened twice so far. But even then…I can’t say it’s not exciting.
After taking him his coffee and schedule, I make my way to Jocelyn’s office. She asked me this morning if I could meet her there. Something about a hotel event coming up that she’d like help with. That makes me ecstatic. Event planning for this industry is obviously my passion, and any foot in the door is still a foot, even if it’s just a toe.
“Hello,” I call out as I walk into her office. I smile to myself as I realize that despite our offices being mirror images of one another, mine is definitely better. I get the morning sun on my side, a luxury I appreciate.
“Hey girl, that was fast,” Jocelyn says as she comes around the corner in a short black dress.
“That’s cute,” I tell her. “Did you change?”
Jocelyn looks down casually. “Yeah. I just wasn’t feeling the pants today and figured, why not?”
It’s a little dressier than she usually goes for, but I think it looks cute. No reason she can’t feel sexy at work too.
“So tell me about this event,” I say perkily. I’m trying not to look too excited even though I am.
“So there isn’t one,” she says, and my expression drops.
“Oh.”
“I just made that up, so that Damien thought you wereworking,” she says while using air quotes. “I just want the updated tea on what’s going on between you two.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, still slumping over the non-event.
“I mean, are things heating up? It’s been a minute since you’ve been to the Opal Room, hasn’t it? I know it went well last time.”
“Were you there?” I ask, but Jocelyn just lets out a fluttery laugh, high-pitched enough to startle me.
“What? No! Of course not. I haven’t been invited there. I just mean I hear things, you know?”
“What kind of things?” I ask. It makes me nervous knowing people are talking about me. About that night. It’s one thing to be there behind closed doors in the moment. It’s another for there to be residual talk of it.
“Just that you are truly a gem. I think it’s safe to say you’ve made more of an impression on Damien than anyone has in a long, long time.”
“Really?” I ask.
She nods. “Possibly ever. Sounds like you might be special.”
I swallow hard as my heart flutters in my chest. “Special how?” I ask.
