I looked around as if anyone had any idea what we were talking about, or even cared. I felt my cheeks flush as I shushed her.
“Oh, they arrived all right…” I muttered. “And I got way more than I bargained for.”
“Oh? And what’s that supposed to mean?” asked Erica as she leaned in, her eyes dancing with delight.
I shook my head, knowing I said too much. I couldn’t possibly tell her what happened with Mr. Penthouse. It was so unlike me. She probably wouldn’t even believe me, anyway. My mind drifted back to the cream couch that we had covered every inch of by morning. I bit my lip at the memory.
“What are you not telling me?” asked Erica, sitting back in her chair and crossing her arms suspiciously.
“Nothing.” I waved her off.
“Sadie, you’re one of my best friends. I know when you’re keeping something from me.”
She was right. We had known each other for what felt like forever and had gone through a lot together. But this…
I took a deep breath and told her everything, from breaking into the penthouse through the fire escape, to the bourbon, to stripping down in front of him, to the amazing sex until dawn. Her mouth kept dropping with every single detail. Well, not every detail. There were some things I kept to myself. Things I couldn’t get out of my head all day yesterday.
After I finished telling her what happened, she shook her head in disbelief.
“This sounds like a movie or some romance novel,” she said. “Like, there’s no way.”
“I have a handprint on my ass to prove it.” I giggled.
“Oh, my God!” she squealed, slapping her hand on the table. Now, people were looking. I shushed her again.
She laughed aloud like she didn’t have a care in the world about what anyone thought. “I kind of love this for you, though,” she said with a sly smile. “Like this is anewSadie. I loved the old one, of course, but you deserve this.”
“I don’t know.” I groaned, recalling how great he made me feel. “I can’t stop thinking about him.”
“Well, you better.” She checked the time on her watch, “Because you’re meeting your new boss in like ten minutes.”
“Is it really already that time?” I asked, quickly reaching for my purse.
“Mhmm. You’ve got this, Sadie. Put your best foot forward,” she said optimistically.
But it didn’t ease my nerves. I stood and gave her a quick hug before rushing out the door, the smell of freshly ground coffee beans making my mouth water. I really should have made myself a cup, but it was either look presentable or be caffeinated. I chose the former, and even then I questioned if this was the right outfit to meet my new boss.
I stepped out of the elevator just as the numbers on my phone changed to 9 a.m. I was right on time, though normally I would have liked to be here at least ten minutes earlier to properly settle in for the day, especially on a day like this. There had been rumors swirling for months about someone new taking over the accounting firm. Some bigwig. No names had been given, not even a whisper of one. Our former boss wasn’t too happy about being replaced, but once he saw his severance package, he bought a house in Florida and said,Bye bye, New York.
If only it could be that easy for me. Then maybe all my money troubles would go away. It wasn’t like I wasn’t deserving. I wasn’t in love with the job, but I stayed because it felt safe. I was a hard worker. Always early, aside from today. Rarely took time off. I performed well based on my reviews. Yet, I never received a raise. My associates did. Raises were in our contracts, but apparently you had to ask, and I never had the guts to.
I quickly walked through the modern office space, my heels click-clacking against the poured concrete floors, amplifying my near tardiness. I slid into my office chair and settled in at my desk, quickly turning on my computer to clock in. The dull hum of it slowly came to life was tuned out by muffled voices coming from my former boss’s office. Panic set in as I realized my new boss beat me here.
I could already feel my nerves on edge. This was not the first impression I wanted to give. I looked around the office for anyone willing to give me some sort of clue on what he was like, but everyone seemed on edge. Their eyes zoned in on their computers, but they were just pretending to be busy as they listened in on the drama unfolding just beyond the darkoak door. I swallowed hard as the tension seeped under the doorframe and infiltrated the office.
From what little I could hear, my new boss sounded like a real piece of work. Suddenly, I started fearing for my job. Whoever was in there with him sounded like they were on the brink of losing theirs. I looked around the office, trying to figure out who was missing. What if he yells at me like that? What if he hates me? I sunk into my chair, letting my fears overwhelm me as I anxiously waited for my computer’s screen to get past its software checks. Finally, I was able to log on and clock in at 9:04 a.m. Just as I hitreturnon the keyboard, the door everyone was wary of flew open.
Out stormed one of the senior associates, muttering profanities under his breath. I watched cautiously as he stalked to his desk not far from me and started packing his personal belongings into a cardboard box. I couldn’t believe it. He had been with the firm for years, working his way to his current position, which he held for some time before now losing it. Others around me shook their heads in the same disbelief I felt as he grabbed his box and headed for the elevators without so much as a goodbye.
I turned slowly back around and peered at the door he had just come out of. My new boss stepped into view, filling the doorway. My eyes worked slowly up the charcoal gray suit he wore, past his broad shoulders, to his lips that were pressed into a hard line. I knew those lips. I quickly shook my head as if not quite believing what I was seeing. Who I was seeing.
“Oh no,” I breathed as his piercing blue eyes found mine.
Chapter 6
Jeremiah
Oh, yes,I thought to myself as I looked at her. I would recognize that red hair anywhere, especially when it came with those wide green eyes that now looked at me in surprise. Or was it fear? It was my little plaything from Saturday night, Sadie. What I thought was a no-strings-attached hookup I now realized might have some strings now that I was her new boss. This was a new realization to her, too, as I saw her mouth part slightly in shock.
