Page 40 of Resist

“No. I’m not okay, and he’s not stalking me. Sterling works here now. He’s one of my new hires.”

When I give them the additional context, there’s a long and heavy pause on the line before my friends descend into maniacal laughter.

“It’s not fucking funny.”

That simply makes them laugh harder.

I groan, knocking the back of my head against the door a few times. I shouldn’t have called these two assholes. They’re bitches masquerading as my friends.

“This isn’t helpful,” I moan to the sound of their still tinkling laughter. “I need help.”

“Ain’t nobody got that kind of time, hon.” Phoenix manages through her giggles. “You’re serious? Sterling’s in your office this morning ready to start his new job?”

“You didn’t know?” I press a palm to my chest in a bid to stop my galloping heart.

“I swear I didn’t. He’s been pretty tight-lipped about his new position. I didn’t even know he’d applied anywhere until a few days ago.”

“What’s the big deal? People sleep with their subordinates all the time without any problems.”

“She lied to him about her name, for one.” Phoenix answers Maddie’s question before I can. “And for two,mensleep with subordinates and it’s okay. When women do it, it’s frowned upon.”

“All the more fucking reason for her to do it. They want her to marry to fully inherit the company, then surely she should be allowed to date, or fuck, or marry whomever the fuck she wants even if they work below her in the company.”

“I don’t disagree,” Foxy hedges. “I’m just saying, there’s a lot more shit thrown at women for damn near everything. She wants the board on her side, she’s going to need to be above reproach.”

Maddie sighs. “She’s right. Maybe you need to get your feet wet in the role before you...”

“Before she gets her pussy wet?”

“Too late for that,” I mutter.

They both crack up laughing all over again.

I can’t think straight. I don’t know what to think, what to feel, what todo.

“We’re supposed to see each other on Friday night at Thor’s for dinner.”

Phoenix dissolves into hysterics, while Maddie shushes her as she struggles to regain her own composure.

“You couldn’t write this.” Maddie wheezes between snorts of laughter.

“What are you going to do?” Phoenix is very clearly trying to get her shit together, but right now, it’s clear that my friends are fucking useless in this situation. I called them because I needed to be grounded, I needed help figuring out what the fuck to do now that I’m faced with working with Sterling.

Instead, I get obnoxious laughter.

My blood starts to heat. “I’m glad my sex life is so funny to you both.”

“I’m sorry, Cora. I really am.” Maddie’s clearly trying to get her fits of giggling under control to little avail. “It’s just... you have to see the funny side. How long has it been since you last slept with someone? And the one guy, theoneguy you meet and let near your downstairs kitty cat is the one guy who is now working for you?”

It hasn’t been that long. Dad only died a few weeks ago, and sure, he didn’t know I’d left Paul before he died, but it can’t have been that long, right? When did Paul and I last... huh... if I can’t recall it off the top of my head, it’s been too long. But I’m not saying that out loud. Maddie’s a gloater.

Phoenix snorts. “Downstairs kitty cat?”

“I watch too many videos on social media,” is all the explanation Maddie gives.

“Look.” Phoenix heaves out a sigh. “It’s a hiccup, it’s embarrassing, it’s unexpected. But you’re a strong and capable woman, and you don’t need to hide in your office all day.”

“How do you know I’m hiding?” My aggressive whisper escalates.

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