“You don’t have to be single to screw a guy. And Elaine loves getting nailed by Jack. She thinks she’s so discreet, but we all know.”
Except me. “So if he has Elaine, why did he do that to me?”
“’Cause you got a vagina, honey. He can’t help himself. And you aren’t the first employee to quit over his behavior. Actually, you lasted longer than the others. The accounting girl before you quit within three, maybe four months, max. He tried so hard topersonallytrain her, so he could touch her without getting sued. ‘Oh, I was just correcting her form so she doesn’t injure herself.’” Petra rolls her eyes.
“So why do you still work here?”
“Same reason anybody puts up with a shitty job—the money. He pays better than anybody else, and I need to cover my rent and eat. And I also have student loans. Now that I think about it, he probably has to pay that well to keep his employees, because who’s going to stay without the extra?” She tosses her ponytail over her shoulder. “But you got yourself a rich boyfriend. I saw his car. A Spectre. It’s supposed to be, like, $400k. And that isn’t the only one—I saw him come pick you up in a friggin’ Bentley a couple of days ago. Hell, I’m surprised you didn’t quit sooner. I would if I had somebody who took care of me and paid all my bills.”
“I don’t want to use him like that.”
“Oh, honey, it isn’t a big deal if a man’s loaded. Definitely let him buy you things and pamper you.”
“But it sounds so one-sided. I don’t have anything to give him in return.”
“What are you talking about?” She laughs. “You have your body.”
“How transactionally romantic.”
“Fine. I’ll put it another way. You haveyourself. One of a kind, and irreplaceable.” She gives me a wry smile. “Trust me, it’s working fine for him.”
Easy for her to say. She has the body of a goddess. The type that every woman at the gym dreams of.
Whereas I’m just…me. Molly Greene. Basic. No frills. Ordinary.
Suddenly, she pauses. “Hey, is Mr. Spectre the guy who bid that crazy money on you at the auction?”
I nod.
“Thatexplains why Jack was bitching everywhere. He couldn’t beat him on anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Jack has this crazy, like, rivalry against all men. No matter how wonderful and successful somebody is, he always finds some area where he can beat them. Like… He has better abs. Or he has more money. Or he has more employees. Or he’s banged more chicks. Like that.”
“Okay.”
“But your man has everything. He’s young, handsome and rich. Three things Jack can’t beat him on. And based on the way his suit fits him, I bet his body’s phenomenal, too.”
“Well, yeah. It is.”
“There you go.” Petra smirks.
Georgia’s white Miata pulls into the lot. “That’s my ride.”
“You let me know if you need anything. Like if you forgot something at the gym and don’t feel comfortable coming to get it. Or if you ever want to sculpt your body and want a personal trainer, text me. I’ll make a special trip for you. Away from Jack.” She winks.
I laugh. “I’ll let you know. Thanks, Petra.” After waving at her, I climb into Georgia’s car.
My best friend looks like she’s about to keel over from curiosity. “What is going on, girl?”
“I quit my job.”
“What? Since when?” she says as she pulls the car into the thick L.A. traffic. “Did you get an offer? We need to celebrate properly!”
“No.” I tell her everything that happened since I nearly ran smack into Jack in the breakroom.
“Ugh, that’s disgusting!” Georgia says. “What a creep! You should’ve kicked his ass! At least broken his hand! And fingers!”
