“Mandy,” I plead.
“Stop leading her on, Salinger.” Scarlett inspects her nails. “I win, Amanda. Guess your boss wants a hot young intern, not his washed-up, gross assistant.”
“That isn’t true.”
My assistant jerks away when I reach for her. “Stop gaslighting me. I’m so sick of you treating me like garbage.”
“Mandy, I never—”
“Yeah, you do.” Austin has, at the most inconvenient time, decided to finally grow some balls. He has his arm wrapped around Mandy’s shoulder protectively. The internglares at me. “You’re an asshole, Salinger Svensson. Mandy deserves better.”
“Fuck off, donut boy.”
“My name is Austin.”
Mandy glares at me, angry tears in her eyes. “Go to hell, Salinger. I’m glad you lost that contract. Fuck you. I quit.”
“You can’t leave me, Mandy,” I warn.
“Leave her alone.” Austin is stubborn. “You follow her? I’m calling the police.” He escorts her to the elevator.
“The trash takes itself out.” Scarlett smirks. “I guess now you don’t have anything stopping you from taking my deal.”
Scarlett’s palms land on my chest. I jerk away.
“You want that contract or not, big boy?” She slaps my backside.
I whirl around.
She jumps back, apprehensive.
“I’m going to go withnot,” I snarl at her. “And by the way, you’re fucking fired, Scarlett. Get the hell out of my office.”
41
MANDY
Ishoo Austin away when he offers to drive me home. I can’t go to my apartment. Jaxon will be there waiting for me. But where can I go?
Part of me aches for the safety of Salinger, but even if he hadn’t just been about to sleep with Scarlett, once he realizes I’ve ruined the port contract, he will be furious and dump me anyway.
I’m in shock as I turn on my car, still in soaking-wet clothes. It all seems unreal.
Pepper is gone.
Salinger is going to marry Scarlett. I know him. Despite his lies to the contrary, he’ll do anything for that contract.
And me?
My phonebeeps.
I yelp at the noise and debate fishing it out of my purse. I know it’s Jaxon. He’s going to gloat and threaten me. I just need to get it over with.
Lauren:OMG!
Lauren:OMG OMG OMG!
Lauren:Kenny cheated on Amy, and I have proof!
