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Gemma: We could call mid-dinner with some emergency?

Lil: Maybe activate the fire alarm in the restaurant?

Mary: Thanks, girls. But I’ll just go for an hour or so and then leave.

Lil: Seriously though, do you have to go alone? Postpone it to Sunday and we’ll come home for the day? Safety in numbers and all that.

Mary: Thanks for offering. I’ll be okay, though. It’s just a few hours of polite smiles and pretending to be interested while they talk about themselves. I can handle it.

In truth, I’d rather eat glass than make small talk with those leeches all night. But for Dad’s sake, I’ll grin and bear it. He put them in my care, so... I have little choice but to suck it up and endure their unwelcome advances.

Gemma: If you change your mind, text us! We’ll come running with emergency margaritas.

Lil: And pepper spray!

Mary: Haha, noted. Love you guys more than you know. Have to go. Duty calls.

Lil: Call or write when you’re out of there. ??

Gemma: We love you, too. ??

I’ve handled them before, but each time, my skin crawls a little more. My shoulders slump as I put my phone down. Whatam I supposed to do? I need to prove to my father that I can do this job. After all, he is a hard man to impress.

A knock on my door startles me, and without waiting for permission, Connor strides in, impeccably dressed as usual, with a suit and no tie.

I fix him with a pointed look. “What are you doing here?”

“Nice to see you, too.”

I have seen little of him today. He’s only been nagging me to drink more water and fewer energy drinks these last few days. As if that wasn’t enough, a water bottle stood on my desk when I returned from lunch today. Meanwhile, my stash of energy drinks has mysteriously vanished. I’ll have to pick up more tomorrow.

“It would be nice to see my energy drinks back where they were. So? Where are you holding them hostage?”

He’s propped against the closed door, appearing far too comfortable in here. “I’ll tell you if you’re a good girl.”

“This isn’t a game.”

“You were drinking those like water. I’m just looking out for you. How about a trade? I’ll tell you where they are, but only if you agree to cut back. Say, one can a day?”

“One can a day? That’s like asking a fish to live on land.”

“It’s either that or go on a treasure hunt for your caffeine fix. Your choice, Blue.”

I’ll get new ones on the way to work then. “Just leave me alone.”

“Can’t. Did you forget? You invited me for dinner.” He folds his arms across his chest.

Shit.

“I’m sorry I forgot. As you can see, I’ve been rather busy.” I point towards the paper stack on my desk.

“What’s wrong?” Concern etches into the lines around his mouth.

“Nothing.”

“You seem really on edge.”

“Oh, I wonder why that is.” I rub my temples with two fingers.

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