“Well,” Kevin says once everything is signed and the lawyers are gone. “I hope you’re as good a programmer as you are a negotiator. That is one expensive app we just bought.”
“She is,” Lex intervenes, joining us. The compliment makes me blush, but I focus on Kevin.
“In the end, we both got what we wanted, so it’s a good day,” I point out.
“Very true. How about we celebrate it properly? Maybe in some overly expensive restaurant?”
“Tonight?” Even though I ask, I already know the answer.
“Yes, tonight. Lex, are you in?”
Fuck, no. My date with Oli…
Alexander shrugs, impartial. “Only if we don’t go to that horrible molecular restaurant you liked so much. The textures were…” He doesn’t finish his sentence, but his repulsed expression is enough.
Kevin lets out a laugh. “I’ll tell you what, you choose the restaurant, and I’ll make the reservation. Andy, is that good for you?”
My eyes helplessly travel between the two men. I just got an obscene amount of money out of them. I can’t refuse, can I? If they weren’t my bosses, then maybe, yeah. But asking for a rain check would make things weird.
Hoping Oliver will understand, I nod. Kevin then turns to Kate. “Miss Knox, will you be joining us?”
“I would love to, but I have plans,” she answers, shaking her head.
What?!My head whips to her, my eyes pleading for her to change her mind. “Ah, what a shame,” Kev says.
“Maybe another time,” she replies with a polite smile.
What the fuck? Am I seriously having dinner with my two bosses? Including the one I constantly drool over? How do I keep getting into these situations?
On our way out, I cross Oli’s path. To say I’m ashamed when I tell him about the change of plans is an understatement. But, as supportive as ever, he tells me to go, stating we have plenty of time to have our first date.
By the time Kate drives Tami and me home, she has lost most of her best friend privileges. She’s letting me go alone to that dinner, and nothing can change her mind. I still feel like shit about Oli as I shuffle through my dresses to find something for tonight. This should be for him, not for my bosses.
Kate gasps behind me. Shoving her hand into my wardrobe, she takes out a hanger with a dress on it. “I can’t believe you still have this one!”
Upon getting my first paycheck, Kate dragged me on a shopping spree, and I impulsively bought it. The lower half is an A-line skirt that reaches three inches above my knees, and the top has to be tied behind the neck. The entire back is exposed all the way to the waist.
Kate looks at the dress, then me, then the dress, and a mischievous smile claims her lips. Oh, no. She isn’t winning this one. “Forget it, I’m not wearing this,” I say, returning to my closet’s inspection.
“Are you sure? You would look so hot in it.”
“I want to look professional. Not hot.”
Kate shrugs her shoulders with a pout. “You’re right. And anyway, Alexander will eye-fuck you no matter what you’re wearing.”
I almost choke on air at her words. “What the hell! Don’t say things like that,” I scold her with shock.
“Like what? True things?”
“There isn’t an ounce of truth in what you just said, so shut up.” I take the dress from her and put it back on the rack. With angry gestures, I keep scanning through my clothes.
“You really are that blind, aren’t you?” I don’t need to look to know she’s analyzing me with her intense blue eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean your boss wants to fuck you, and you’re too clueless to realize it.”
My entire body stills, and then it warms up.
