“Is that human blood?” I asked teasingly as I wipe some red syrup from the edge.
“Only the best for you, babe,” Hope says as we sit down.
Bethany smiles at me. “You look fantastic. How’s the job going?”
“Good! I think,” I say, taking a sip of the cocktail. “It’s hard to say some days. Crawford’s schedule is crazy, but he hasn’t fired me yet, so…”
Bethany glances at Hope with a smug smile. “I told you she was okay.”
“Hey! I am allowed to worry about her,” Hope says defensively. “I’m really glad things are going well, though, Mia. He isn’t being an asshole, is he?”
Bethany’s smug expression evaporates, and she leans forward, suddenly serious, as if she’s not sure what the answer to that question is going to be.
Wow, Crawford really doesn’t have a good reputation among the girls at the agency.
“No. I mean, he can be pretty abrupt, but he has three other EAs who are really good at their jobs. He doesn’t have much cause to be an asshole to me, I just print out a load of shit every day.”
“That’s not what Fiona said,” Bethany says, leaning back in her chair. “He was a total douchebag to her, but then, Fiona can be a lazy bitch.”
“Was that the girl who was assigned to him before?” I ask, my gut churning.
“Yeah, but she didn’t last long. She likes the sex, not the admin, if you know what I mean.”
I tip my drink to her, unsure what to say, and Bethany cracks up.
“I love this girl,” she says to Hope as I turn to her, smiling broadly at my best friend. She looks gorgeous in a sparkling sequined shrug that catches the light.
“How’s the wedding planning going?” I ask, enjoying the chance to finally get an update on what’s going on with her. Our sporadic texts have hardly scratched the surface, and her eyes light up as she starts to talk about the arrangements.
As she begins complaining about how controlling her mother has been and her annoying little sisters, I try to listen, but my mind is all over the place. It’s teeming with thoughts of Fionaand Crawford, what they might have done together, how he felt about her.
Did he look at her the same way he looks at me? Am I an idiot for thinking I’m special to him?
Ever since the night at Crawford’s apartment, I’ve had a weird feeling around him.
Since he kissed me, things have felt intense in a way they didn’t before. I shouldn’t feel jealous about Fiona, I know that, but I can’t help it. I don’t like the idea of him touching anyone else.
This is ridiculous. My first job with the agency, and I’m getting possessive over my boss as if we’re in a real relationship.
It doesn’t help that the sex since the night with Ambrose has been sporadic at best. Crawford has been out of the office constantly with meetings and events, and I’ve barely seen him. Barnes Enterprises might be the biggest merger on his books, but he has a lot of other irons in the fire.
What if he’s grown bored of me? Is he putting distance between us so it’s easier to fire me?
“Mia?”
I look up to find them both staring at me.
“Sorry, I spaced out. What did you say?”
“I was asking whether you think you’ll stay on with Crawford for a while,” Hope says again.
“Pippa told me you’re doing really well,” Bethany says.
I clear my throat. Her definition ofdoing wellmust be bonuses, and I’m suddenly weirdly embarrassed about the twenty thousand dollars he sent me. Bethany touches my arm lightly.
“Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for what you choose to do for a living, or how you take care of the people you love, Mia.You’re killing it and being paid more monthly than most people earn in a year. Own it, girl.”
I smile at her gratefully, and she gives me an encouraging wink.
