Page 111 of When Glitter Meets Gold

He pouts dramatically. “I don’t know.”

“I do.” I raise an eyebrow. “You like me.”

“I do not.” He folds his arms.

“You had my back,” I say smugly. “Jesus Francis, does this mean we’re friends?”

“No,” he snaps, stroking the palm of his hand. “A friend would have gotten me an ice pack and a fresh martini by now.”

I fight the grin that wants to spread across my face, biting my lip before turning serious again. “I guess you want to know if what Drew said is true?”

Francis sighs. “Oh, Sara. Did you really think people believed the hiking story? You were like a kid with chocolate ice cream smeared all over their face, insisting they didn’t devour the entire tub.”

My gaze drops to my feet, recalling how he’d told me before that he didn’t believe I went on the hike. I had no idea the entire office shared his attitude. “Why didn’t anyone say anything?”

Francis throws his arms up. “Because it was the first time you ever spoke about doing something like that. You were driving everyone so nuts with your no-food and extreme hygiene policies. You never wanted to come out, or even leave your house, and I know you were going through stuff, but you were so shut off, it kind of made it hard to talk to you. We had no choicebutto get on board with the dumb hike. We were clinging to the possibility, tiny as it was, that you were actually attempting to change course.”

I stare blankly at a table with curling, golden legs, wondering how easy it would be to crawl underneath it andremain there for the rest of the night. Was I really that shut down?

“And—”Francis nudges me when I force my eyes shut, closing them so tightly my eyelids become rippling galaxies of stars and fuzzy shapes. “It looks like you did. Checking yourself into a luxury spa when you were meant to be hiking is diva behavior. It’s iconic.” He winks. “I don’t know what went on during that trip, but you were different when you came back. You chilled out,a little,loosened up a bit, and actually turned out to be kinda fun.”

I almost gasp at the compliment when a thought occurs to me.

“Is that why you sent Justin and Reza my pitch for the new app? Because you thought I was fun?” I eye him carefully.

He raises his chin. “How do you know it was me?”

I laugh. “Because Walter never would.”

Francis sighs. “Okay fine. I swiped your notes from your desk when I found out about the leaked documents. I was scared you might get fired.”

I’m speechless. He sent my idea to Justin and Reza to protect me.

“You…didn’t want me to get fired?”

He shrugs. “I haven’t enjoyed workplace squabbles with anyone as much as I have with you lately.” Then his eyes grow wide. “Oh, is it because you’re finally getting pounded?”

“You know, I think the not-so-fun Sara wants to make an appearance.” I grin.

“Oh hell no.” He cups his hand around his lips, “Quick, Vandenberg cock, aisle six.” Francis snaps his fingers and I’ve never fought so ferociously to cover someone’s mouth in my entire life.

47

SARA

Later that night, it appears people have forgotten all about the confrontation with Drew. Instead, they’re more interested in watching ballet dancers who are currently spilling in through the lobby’s arched entrance. They dance on tiptoe in floaty tutus and silky pointe shoes, gliding over a red carpet that leads into the ballroom.

I drop onto a long bench that lines the wall just beyond the entrance. It’s mostly obscured by a pair of enormous flowering orange trees that offer a small degree of privacy.

“There you are.” A soothing voice catches me, warming my bones.

Jack stands in front of me, one hand in his pocket, undisputedly remaining the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.

“Why are you hiding back here?” The corner of his mouth tugs upwards. “You should be out there making every head turn.”

The whole party seems to stop for a moment as my insides melt and his words play over in my head.

“I think I’ve turned enough heads for the all the wrongreasons tonight. I’m staying right here,” I say, making no attempt to hide my sulk.

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