What You Need(100)

I closed my eyes. To further complicate matters, after four cocktails the whole mess with my mother had poured out to Annika. I’d cried like a freakin’ little girl in front of the woman who would be my boss.

The defensive voice inside me retorted that I needed to talk to someone, and better her than to lay the burden at Brady’s feet. Annika had been so warm and understanding. She’d mentioned issues with her own mother, but then she brushed them aside as trivial when compared with what I’d dealt with. It hadn’t occurred to me that Brady might be upset that I’d spoken to his sister about my troubles rather than him.

I watched the time tick away until fifteen minutes had passed.

Then the door opened. I stood and Jenna, Brady’s admin, hustled out and rushed past me without a word.

Why was Jenna down here talking to Lola?

Not my business. I smoothed the wrinkles from my skirt and approached the partially opened door, knocking twice.

The barked “Enter” should’ve been my first indication that all wasn’t well. The instant Lola saw me, her scowl deepened. “Lennox. What is it?”

I’ve come to tell you I received a great opportunity for advancement within Lund Industries. I’ll be assuming the position of office manager for the PR department in two weeks. I’ve enjoyed working with you.

But of course that wasn’t what I said. I blurted out, “I’m quitting.”

“Shut the damn door.”

I did as she asked and then lowered into the chair in front of her desk that sat a good foot below her throne.

“You’re quitting. And of all the days you decide to tell me . . . of course you choose today.”

It didn’t make any sense to me, since I’d just been offered the job last night. “Yes. That’s company policy—”

“Oh, stuff the company policy and procedure. That’s what this whole mess is about.”

“Umm . . . pardon?”

She scrutinized me. “Did you have advance knowledge of this?”

I didn’t know how to answer.

“Did Mr. Lund give you a heads-up last night to offer your resignation so you didn’t get caught in the net and go down with the rest of us?”

“Lola. I didn’t see Brady last night. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you don’t. And to think that your questions about procedure and protocol are what started all this. Well, that chaps my ass, girl. Big time.”

I wondered if I was witnessing some kind of psychotic break when she shook her finger at me and warned, “Don’t you breathe a word of this to anyone. Got it?”

“Absolutely. We are talking about me giving notice, right?”

She looked at me and laughed. “Yeah, that’s all we’re talking about.” She pointed at the door. “Get to work. You’re still on main-floor reception the rest of this week.”

Great. “Thank you.”

She muttered something and spun her chair away from me.

Well, that hadn’t gone as I would’ve liked. But at least I’d gotten it out of the way.

And I was actually happy to be away from the craziness on the sixth floor for the day.

*

I didn’t eat lunch in the break room. I found a lunch counter on the other side of the tower that catered to lone diners, with single seats and no booths. Otherwise I would have been too tempted to tell Sydney my news. While I trusted her, I suspected she’d be upset I was leaving and essentially moving up before she did. Then again, Syd hadn’t struck me as the ambitious type—not that there was anything wrong with staying in one place and doing a job you enjoyed.

That brought my mind back to my conversation with Brady Saturday night.

I had been sprawled facedown on his big bed, my body limp and sated after Brady had proven to me for the third time how much he’d missed me while he’d been traveling. His fingers were trailing up and down my spine, and he’d stop every once in a while and feather his lips over my tattoos.

“You have the most beautiful skin.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because it’s true. It’s pale, almost translucent. No freckles or sunspots. No scars.”

“I’ve been called a vampire a time or two. But I’ve never been a sun lover. Not for any reason besides until recently I always worked until late at night and slept away most of the day. Cocktail waitressing is the ultimate SPF 100.”

“I can’t believe with how smart you are, and how hard you work, that you weren’t offered managerial positions.”

“Oh, I was. But I turned them down.”

“Why?”

“Because I had more freedom just clocking in, taking care of my customers and clocking out at the end of the shift. I looked at the managers and felt sorry for the poor bastards. Scheduling nightmares, staff that doesn’t show up for their shifts, or they show up high. Then they also had to deal with jerky customers and complaints. Plus doing all the ordering.”