Beck is the last to leave.
I try to pretend like he’s not there as I toss the cups into the bin in the corner of the room. That nearly becomes impossible as I catch a whiff of his cologne, followed by the feeling of his looming presence.
“You good?”
I pretend to be focused on the trash, staring down into it instead of looking at him. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
He huffs a laugh, barely audible. “You’re terrible at lying, Maddy. But for the record, I think you’re doing great. The first day is always rough, no matter where you work.”
As I turn to look up at him, he walks out, not looking back at me.
Well, okay then.
I stand there for a moment, staring at my reflection in the glass wall.
The rest of the day is a blur of phones ringing, emails pinging, and me trying desperately not to let my mind wander back to the night with Beck. But it’s like trying not to blink. Every time I see him—walking past my desk, talking to a client in the lobby, laughing too loud in the break room—I remember his hands all over my body, his voice in my ear.
And when the day finally ends, and Beck, Adrian, and Caleb leave, I power down my computer and jet out of there so fast I nearly trip on my way to the elevator.
On the elevator down, I pull out my phone, texting Riley back.
Me:Made it through day one and I’m ready for a drink.
She sends back a string of exclamation points and a GIF of a person high-fiving themselves in a mirror.
By the time I get to the bar, I have sweated through my blouse in three different places. The sun is just barely down, and there’s already a wall of sound inside our favorite happy-hour place with tons of people shouting at each other over cheap drinks and sports on TV.
A week ago, I’d just be happy to say that I’m employed again.
But Ineversaw this coming.
Riley is already there, sitting in a booth by the window and doing her best impression of someone not scrolling Instagram to avoid making eye contact with strangers. When she sees me, her face lights up.
“Tell me everything,” she says, even before I sit down. “You made it through the first day!”
I slide in across from her, drop my bag, and barely manage a smile. “You’re not going to believe this.”
She leans in, eyes hungry as she slides my drink across to me. “Give me all the details. Did you make any friends? Did you cry in the bathroom? Are there any cute coworkers to hook me up with?”
I put my hand up to make her stop. “Remember the guy I hooked up with after Elizabeth’s wedding?”
Her eyebrows jump. “Of course. What was his name again?”
“Beck.” I pause for effect. “He’s myboss. One of mythreebosses.” I slap my hands flat on the table and widen my eyes. “Like, I will see him every damn day.”
She stares at me, a look of horror on her face. “Wait, wait, wait… back up. Okay. Recap. Beck, as in hotel room Beck? You had sex with him after Wes, and now you have to work for him?”
“Yes,” I hiss. “And he didn’t say a single word about it. Not a look, not a wink, nothing. He acted like I was a total stranger.”
Riley’s face cycles through multiple emotions in seconds. “Oh my god, this is the worst thing I’ve ever heard. Or thebest? No, it’s definitely the worst. Is he going to fire you?”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Why would he fire me? He didn’t even acknowledge that it happened. Maybe he doesn’t even remember?”
“Maybe it’s a power thing,” Riley declares, then lowers her voice. “Like, maybe he gets off on pretending it never happened. Maybe that’s his kink.” She bites her lip and raises her brows.
“Do not,” I warn, “start psychoanalyzing my boss slash ex one-night stand. I can’t handle it right now.”
The waitress appears, grabbing Riley’s empty glass.
