“As if I would go to her baby shower,” Lauren declares.
We walk up to Jess’s apartment after picking up the paper sack of mouthwatering Mexican takeout.
Jess throws open her door before I even have a chance to knock. “Let’s get this girls’ night started.”
“So lame. You both are so lame. I’m taking you out clubbing with me next weekend, Mandy.” Lauren huffs into Jess’s apartment.
“Amy’s been posting a lot,” I tell Jess. “And everyone finds it very upsetting.”
“Yeah, I’m really digging Amy’s inspo pics for her nursery.” Jess snickers.
I poke Jess as Lauren wails from the living room.
“I stole the leftover cheesecake from the tenth-floor fridge.” Jess hugs me after ushering us into the tiny kitchen. “Johnny brought some for his team to celebrate the deal they landed. I figure we’ve earned it.”
“Yum!” I take a bite of the rich chocolate dessert. “I am already feeling better. You want some cheesecake, Lauren?”
“Gross. No.”
“Don’t you want some queso?” I offer her. “Did you eat lunch? I can make you nachos.”
“I don’t know how you’ve survived, what, two weeks with her?” Jess mutters under her breath.
She didn’t need to bother. Lauren is glued to her phone.
“She’s my sister. What am I supposed to do?”
“I don’t know—kick her out before she earns tenant rights?”
“My parents would be so upset,” I say lamely, not wanting to admit that my safety-in-numbers philosophy.
Jess makes a noncommittal noise and turns onSweet Home Alabama, a movie we’ve seen dozens of time. “This is a self-care evening. Margaritas—we toast to the first of many. Mexican, because we’ve earned it. We’re also going to find new jobs.”
“I don’t know.” I grab another slice of cheesecake and dish up taquitos, guacamole, and queso. “That sounds drastic. Isn’t the job market bad?”
“Anything’s better than working for Salinger, right? Look.” Jess points to her tablet. “See? There are tons of options, none of which will end with you crying in the bathroom.”
“I don’t think I’m really in a good headspace to look for a new job right now.” I fix a plate for my sister.
“I think this will be good for you,” Jess argues. “At least explore some options. It will get your brain working. You can stick it to Salinger.”
But the thought of actually leaving him, even though he is so awful, is making me anxious. What would I be without him? In danger, that’s what. Exposed.
Lauren feeds Pepper pieces of chicken. “You’re getting a new job?”
“Yes, Lauren.” Jess raises her voice. “A job. It’s a novel concept. See, this place is looking for a receptionist. It’s a high-end skin-care boutique. Look at how cute that office is.”
Yeah, an office right off the sidewalk, no security. My desk would be out in the open, not under the watchful eye of a six-foot-four muscular CEO with a hair-trigger temper who I know one hundred percent for sure is keeping Jaxon from coming anywhere near me.
“You’re wasting your time.” Lauren dips the barest corner of her tortilla chip into the guacamole.
“She just needs a push,” Jess says.
Lauren smirks. “You’re never going to find anything to compete with that man.”
“Of course we will.” Jess waves her tablet. “Rainier Equity isn’t the only high-end corporation in this city. It’s Seattle! Look at this company—it’s a swanky hotel, and they need a night manager.”
A manager in a hotel, at night, in the dark, all alone, and anyone could come in...
