"He will be when you return."
I nod, and unable to think of anything else and unable to conjure a second apology for my outburst, I make my way downstairs, my heart going a mile a second.
I find a box in the supply room and, ignoring the eyes that goggle at me, storm into my cubicle where I begin to shut down my computer and pull out the external hard drive assigned to me for backup.
I don't do anything personal on the computer at work.I really don't do anything personal, but I take it as it is. I've got my work on there. I throw it in the box, along with some papers and pens, and I turn to open a drawer.
Ruby appears again. "What did he want?"
I set my box down and just look at her.
Her eyes widen a bit. "Whoa. A little wild-eyed and feral there."
I shrug. "Yes, well..."
I continue to empty out the few things in that drawer.
She eats it up, silent for a few seconds. "What are you doing? Did he fire you? What a fucking asshole."
I shake my head, clutching the box, tears pressing at my eyes. "No. He gave me a promotion. Two, I guess. Well, a promotion and another job."
Ruby studies me. "That's great, isn't it? I mean, it sounds great. I would think it was beyond great, so riddle me this, Lola. Why the hell do you look like you're about to burst into tears?"
I let out a shaky breath.
Really, I don't know how to answer this in any form that won't require five hours of explaining, and I don't want to talk about any of that for five minutes, let alone hours. So, I just say, "I've got a lot on my mind."
Ruby checks her watch. "The day's almost done."
"So?"
"I know you're done with work."
"But I'm sure Mr. Marino wants me to learn all the ropes, and?—"
"Ropes? Kinky." She laughs. "I'm coming up with you, and I will tell him you're going out at five on the dot."
"No—"
She grabs my box, walks away, and just leaves me here.
Fuck.
I grab my bag and my jacket and speed walk after her, somehow unable to shake the feeling this is going to be a long day.
Ruby is a true force of nature. She not only bullies Enzo into cramming my learning the ropes into the time left in the day, but she also informs him we are going out for drinks.
And we do.
There is a bar that is a little pricey near Central Park, a few blocks from the building. It has walls of glass and Edison globes and is the kind of place to entertain clients of a certain level for mid-managers and for workers from the surrounding buildings to let off steam.
I usually keep away because the prices are out of my league, but tonight, with a looming pay raise right in front of me, I don't have that excuse.
We squeeze into a booth in the corner, and the conversation fights with the latest hits playing, while laughter and shouts muddy it more, yet it turns into something borderline fun.
Ruby elbows me as she sets our drinks down, Manhattans, which I'm thinking are her favorite.
She makes me keep up with her until the next round, and a pleasant buzz hits my veins.
