“He’s totally hot,” Paige says.
Renee sighs dramatically. “Too bad he doesn’t shit where he eats.”
“Except with Steph.” Paige rolls her eyes before taking another forkful from her bowl.
I stiffen in my seat. “What do you guys mean?” Though I try to keep my voice light, I don’t know if I succeed. I’m starting to think that maybe I’m a little tipsy from these drinks.
Renee leans over the table a bit. “Bastion has this rule about not sleeping with any of his employees. But we all think he and Steph have hooked up.”
I bring the cooler to my lips again, trying to wash down the bad taste left in my mouth by her words. “Why do you think that?”
Paige shrugs. “Just a vibe we get. She always acts territorial about him. It’s annoying as fuck, actually.”
“Totally,” Renee says before taking another mouthful of her poke bowl.
“Have you met her yet?” Paige sips her own drink.
“Yeah. Just briefly, though.” I push the contents of my bowl around with my fork.
“And how was she?” Paige arches a perfectly plucked brow.
“Kind of how you said.” I frown.
“See? They’re totally fucking.” Paige shakes her head.
Renee changes the topic, and though I relax as the conversation flows naturally from one topic to another, at the back of my mind, all I can think about is Bastion and Steph.
Are the girls right? Is he sleeping with her? If he is, what does what we did mean? Does he mess around with multiple girls at once? Maybe that’s what most people do. How would I know?
By the time we’re done eating, I’m fired up and maybe a bit jealous of Steph. I finish the last of my second cooler and slam the bottle on the table harder than necessary based on the way Renee and Paige startle in their seats.
Who does this Steph think she is? It all makes sense now why she was so snippy and clearly trying to make me feel like an idiot the night I met her. Well, too bad for her. She can’t have him. And I’m going to tell Bastion exactly that.
Why am I so worried about messing around with Bastion because he’s my boss when apparently he’s already messing around with another one of his employees?
“You guys ready to head back?” Renee asks.
“Yup.” I jolt up out of my seat, eager to get back to the club so I can confront Bastion. Once I’m standing, I wobble a bit and have to grip the edge of the table.
“Whoa, girl. I think those drinks might have gone right to your head.” Paige comes around the table and grips my elbow.
“I’ve never really drank before.” I grin at them, then devolve into a fit of giggles.
I think they share a look before Renee says, “You’ve never had alcohol before?”
“Nope.” I pop the “p” on the word.
“Oh boy. If I’d known that, I would’ve slowed you down.” Renee leads the way out of the restaurant.
Paige and I follow, her supporting me by my elbow.
Once we’re outside, Paige says to me, “Are you okay to walk on your own?”
“Of course.” I pull my elbow from her grip and head in the direction of the club.
“Do you want us to take you home?” Renee asks.
“No!” The two of them look at me from my panicked reply, but I can’t let them know I live with Bastion. “I’m going back to the club. There’s something I have to do there.” I start walking again.
