"I was working," she said, turning up her nose. "Unlike some people. You're going to ruin this marketing push. I can't believe they gave so much responsibility to someone with no experience."
"You had ample opportunity," I countered. "Mace chose me, not you. Now if you'll excuse me, we have a deadline to meet."
"You just slept your way up," she hissed.
I turned to her. "I don't sleep my way to get things."
"Yes, you do," she sneered. "You're living in his house, ingratiating yourself with his family. You don't care about him."
"You don't either," I shot back as she huffed out of the conference room.
"She's like this all the time," Willow said as she came in with a puffed-rice round.
"Why are you eating that?"
"It's all they have." She held the rice cake out to me.
I took a bite. "It's so gross."
"I wish they would get better food," Willow said, plucking the rice cake from me and tossing it in the trash can.
"We're ordering in fancy sandwiches for lunch," I told her. "Garrett said I could have an expense account for this project. I can't work off toasted rice puffs."
We worked all morning, tossing ideas back and forth on the marketing. Though I had worked on a basic outline and graphic direction, there was more that had to be refined. Plus we had to write press releases, design, and brochures, and create content for a website associated specifically with the product.
I was starving by the time lunch was delivered.
"Okay, everyone, take a break," I announced. My team looked at me blankly.
"Tara didn't let us take breaks," one guy said after a moment.
"Tara's not here, and I say you need some time to refresh. Meet back in an hour, and be ready to go hard."
"They do have a nice campus," Willow remarked as we walked outside. The view was great, and it really would be a shame if Mace built another factory here. I took a bite of mybánh mìsandwich. The tang of the pork made my mouth water. The bread had just enough bite, and the pickled veggies were spicy but not too much. They had also added a hint of spicy aioli.
"Mmh," I said, taking another bite. "I think this is one of my new favorite foods."
"So," Willow said. "Did Mace stick his hand in your candy jar?"
"Stuck his whole face was more like it."
Willow shrieked and grabbed me, making me slosh my drink. There were other people outside enjoying the sunshine. I shushed her.
"Tara already suspects something," I said in a low voice. "I can't be that dumb, idiotic girl who sleeps with the boss. Everyone will think that's the reason Mace gave me this project."
"He gave you this project because you're good at marketing," Willow countered. "You've accomplished more in the last few days than Tara has in weeks."
"I just hope it goes well. This is a really tight deadline," I said, contemplating my sandwich.
"What's the matter?" Willow asked, petting my head. "You're living large. Isn't this everything you always wanted?"
I sighed again. "I guess." My phone dinged. I ignored it, then it rang. "It's Marnie."
"Put it on speaker," Willow insisted.
"Hey, Marnie!" Willow and I chorused.
"Hey, ladies." She sounded frazzled. Usually our friend was unflappable. She had to be to put up with Greg Svensson day in and day out as his secretary.
