I melted.
I just had to get through tomorrow and then I’d get to see him again. Surprisingly enough, I had no problems falling asleep that night.
I still hadStar’s credit card so before heading to her apartment I went ahead and stopped at FedEx to return the lingerie. She’d treated me horribly, but I still felt bad about making such a huge mistake. I’d never been fired from any job before. It was a bit of a wakeup call. The least I could do was return these for her.
I’d also folded up the dress and placed the shoes in a box to leave with her. I loved that dress. It was hard to say goodbye.
The light rail was packed and I couldn’t help but compare this morning’s ride to how I’d felt riding it last Friday. Determined but tired. That’s how I felt. This morning I felt determined in a different way. Not determined to just make it through another day of insults and menial tasks, but determined to walk away from Star Martin with some dignity and composure. I’d also already heard back from one of the restaurants I’d applied at yesterday. They said to stop by before the lunch rush.
I smoothed the pencil skirt I’d donned earlier. The perfect fit and sleek material looked good on me. I felt sexy today. I needed all the extra confidence I could grab. I was also wearing heels. Even though I knew I wouldn’t see Hunter today, I felt like he was with me.
Cheering for me.
He’d texted from the training facility earlier this morning. He’d already run six miles and worked out with his trainer. He said he had a few meetings today or he’d meet me for coffee.
I walked the few blocks to Star’s building (Hunter’s building) and then marched through the lobby. When I stepped into the elevator, I tried to relax my shoulders. I wished I could just get off on the 33rd floor. The elevator swooped past and up to 45.
The doors slid open way too quickly. I hated confrontations. Seeing Star would be so much worse than usual. Somehow it hadn’t mattered so much when I hadn’t done anything wrong. It bothered me that I actually deserved to be fired.
Just when I stepped off a text came through.
Hunter had sent me the one thing that would take my mind off this meeting. It was a selfie of him and only him. I covered my mouth with one hand and giggled. Oh, my gosh. Wearing absolutely nothing, he grinned back at me from my phone. Hair slicked back, skin shining, he looked as though he just stepped out of the shower. I texted back a kiss emoji and stuffed the phone into my bag. I’d appreciate this pic later.
Then, taking a deep breath I knocked on the door. I paused a few seconds, giving her a chance to answer before inserting my keycard and entering.
“Miss Martin?” I called out tentatively. Had I missed her? Was I that lucky? “Miss Martin?”
Just then Star casually strolled out of her bedroom, her phone to her ear. That saying, if looks could kill? Yeah. I’d be dead. Not only dead but ripped into shreds and thrown off the top of the building.
“The little imbecile is here now.” She still hadn’t said a word to me. “Karen fucking Klapper got him. Can you believe it? Not only did she not win him, she let that bitch win.” She finally decided to acknowledge me. “Just a minute,” she told the other person on the phone. “Clean out your desk, leave the dress, and get out of my sight. Don’t expect a pay check. I imagine the station will send you a bill.”
I gulped. I just wanted to get this over with and get out. I sat my stuff down on the countertop and practically ran back to the little room I’d worked out of for the last six months. Using an old shopping bag from the closet, I quickly gathered a sweater of mine, an extra pair of pumps and the one picture I’d left out on my desk. Studying the frame, I couldn’t help but smile. Bernadette and I at home on that last New Year’s Eve. We’d decided to forgo the subzero temperatures and stayed in drinking champagne… in formal gowns. I felt that squeeze but it wasn’t as cold as usual. This was good.
I stuffed it in the bag and looked around. Barbara stood on her perch watching me.
I might miss Barbara a little. She understood what I’d gone through. I hoped Star didn’t’ forget to feed her. Taking a minute, I wrote instructions for her care on a post it note and stuck it on the computer.
That was it.
I took a breath and made my way quietly back towards the living room.
Star looked surprised and a little… guilty? Nope. What was I thinking. Her mouth contorted into an ugly grimace. “Should I check your bag?” She snarled. “Make sure you haven’t stolen anything else from me?”
I’d ran through this speech at least a dozen times in my mind. Except the first part. “You’re more than welcome to.” I held it out but she waved a dismissing hand at it. “I just want you to know I’m really sorry. It was a dumb thing to do and I don’t blame you for firing me.” I grabbed my large hand bag off the table and slid the dress bag and box toward her. “Thanks for giving me the opportunity to work with you. I wish you all the best.”
“Well.” Star shrugged. “Maybe my next assistant won’t be so stupid.”
Well then.
Okay.
I glanced around one last time and moved toward the door. I’d taken the high road. No more regrets. “Oh, yeah.” I slipped her key card out of my pocket and set it on a small table by the door. “Uh… bye.”
And that was it.
I rode the elevator down and left feeling one hundred pounds later. If I ever rode that elevator again, it would be to visit Hunter.
I practically danced through the lobby and out the door.
