Thank god for my four brothers, because they dropped by his house when they found out about it. They never told me what they did to the guy, but every time I saw him at school after that, he would run in the other direction. The picture was taken down the same day.
I smile at the memory, but it fades quickly.
What would my brothers think of me working for Sterling House?
I shouldn’t care; it’s not their business, and the only reason I took the job in the first place was to help Scott, but I knowFlynn wouldn’t approve. He wouldn’t like the idea of me being exploited.
I step into the elevator as the doors open. There’s a woman inside whom I recognize from yesterday when I stormed into the conference room. I now know her name is Fran because she’s one of the few people Jones told me could always disturb him if there was a problem.
As I move to stand next to her, she looks all the way down my body, her eyes fluttering as they come to rest on my shoes.
My outfit is all black as usual, but I usually add a snap of color on my feet. Today my shoes are bright red, like my nails, and her gaze lingers on them for a long time before she looks away, her lips pursing.
I straighten, sticking out my chin. I may not look like a corporate clone, but I’m not going to be judged by someone who wears a suit two sizes too large. It may be designer, but she makes it look cheap.
I jab at the elevator button, my nail catching on the edge as I push my bag further up my shoulder. It’s an old backpack of my mother’s, and it’s faded to hell, but I won’t replace it. It’s perfect for my workouts and has a section at the bottom for my sneakers. I don’t care if everyone else is carrying around Berkins, I’m keeping my mom close by for as long as the bag lasts.
“That was quite the entrance yesterday,” Fran says as the elevator whirs upward on to the top floor.
I look over at her, giving her the same once-over she gave me. Her mouth is set in a thin line, and she has a stain on her blouse. Fran reminds me of every woman who has ever judged me on my appearance or looked down on me because of my family.
I shouldn’t let it get to me, but I’m rattled enough this morning that I can’t help myself.
“Thanks,” I say.
“It wasn’t a compliment,” she replies coldly. “If that’s the way your generation thinks they can get jobs these days, we’ve got a real problem.”
I clench my jaw, my fingers tightening into fists. “It worked,” I reply, just as coldly, and she scoffs.
“Yeah, well, if I had legs like yours and a tiny waist, I’m sure I could grab any job I wanted as well.”
My temper spikes, and before I can rein it in, I do something extremely stupid.
“Yeah, well, so far I haven’t had to sacrifice my looks for my position in life,” I snap, running my eyes pointedly over her figure again as the elevator doors open.
I watch her face pale as she stares at me, her mouth hanging open, stammering uselessly before she walks out.
I feel smug for about three seconds until I realize how unkind that was.
What the hell is wrong with me?
The elevator doors close before I can say anything to her, and I spend the rest of the elevator ride berating myself, wondering if I should go back down and apologize.
That was low. Women should prop each other up, not tear each other down. I had no right to target her appearance, even if she fired the first shot.
I step out onto the floor, feeling ashamed of my behavior. As I head over to my desk, my palms are sweating as I notice that Jones is already in his office. The door is open, and my nerves return in full force as I wonder if he’ll want a repeat performance.
“Next time we’ll do that in person, and I’ll make you lick it up after…”
Fuck.
I put my bag beneath my desk and am just about to sit down when I see movement from inside his office.
“Jacqueline, come in here, please.”
I swallow, glancing behind me, but no one seems to bat an eye.I mean, why would they?He’s my boss, and he’s asked to see me; no one is having fantasies about him bending me over his desk except me.
I enter the room, deliberately leaving the door open, and walk toward him, relieved when he doesn’t ask me to go back and close it.
