Page 91 of #Bossholes

Except every second that passes, the dread only gets heavier. The guys refuse to look at me or, at least, I think so. I’ve kept my head down, making sure to take an extra set of notes for no real reason. James is already on it, and I bet in ten minutes he’ll have a copy printed for each of the partners and topped with a hand tied bow. Showoff.

He did save my ass with this one, though, I’ll give him that. If he hadn’t caught the scheduling error, this could have been so much worse. At least now we know what’s on their calendar is not correct.

I don’t know how I let this happen. I really don’t.

As soon as the meeting ends, I’m up and ready to tackle this mistake when Brianna stops me.

“We’ve missed you at lunch. It’s not been the same since you moved up here.” She looks at me expectantly and bites down on her bottom lip. “Margo and I have been worried about you.”

Thanks, universe, for making me feel more like a dick than I did five minutes ago. “I’m so sorry; things have been crazy lately. I miss you guys, though.”

“It must be stressful working up here. Did you see what Mr. Ellis did to Zach?” Her voice drops, and she leans closer. “Is there something going on between you two?”

I’m not prepared for this question. In fact, as it really hits me, all I can do is laugh, and it’s borderline hysterical. I really try to rein myself in and wave her off super casually but end up chopping the air in front of us. “No, that would be insane. There’s no way. He’s my boss. That’s it. Nothing more.”

Yeah, I’m rambling, and I can’t stop. As you can imagine, it doesn’t help my case.

Brianna’s brows raise, and she tilts her head, her lips pursed as she assesses me. It’s clear she thinks I’m full of shit. “Yeah. Sure. I guess I’ll see you around.”

She turns around and heads straight for the elevator. She doesn’t look back, doesn’t even wave goodbye.

I’m a shitty friend, a terrible employee, and an awful liar.

And now I have a whole ass mess to clean up.

FORTY-SIX

Kinsley

“Well,well, well. Look who the cat dragged in.” Holly smirks at me and plops her ass down next to me as soon as I sit on the couch above her bookstore.

I glance her way and give her a droll look. “I’m always here for book club. Was there another meeting I missed? One I didn’t know about?”

Daisy cackles from my other side, and Holley’s eyes narrow as she stares at me for several seconds. “I don’t know why I thought getting details out of you was going to be easy. You didn’t even tell us about your ménage à trois with two of your bosses; this bitch had to tell us.”

Just in case there was a question about which bitch it was, she points over my head to Daisy who is now clutching her belly and struggling to breathe. I’m sure she’s dying about this impending conversation we’re going to have about my sex life, but I’m really not in the mood.

Not after the horrible day I had.

I don’t know why I thought coming here would make me feel better, but in my defense, that was before Brantley handed memy ass after the meeting fiasco. One thing is for sure, the guys aren’t giving me any special treatment at work.

Not that I want it. But maybe I’d like to get yelled at a little less.

Coming here and hanging out with friends should be an escape from the dumpster fire that is my life, but I already want to leave. Don’t get me wrong, I knew they’d have questions. I just thought I’d be better equipped to handle them.

“Can we at least talk about the book first?” I cringe, waiting for her inevitable shouted no, but instead Holly sits back and smiles. I hate this phrase with a passion of the fiery sun—but she looks like the cat who finally ate the damned canary. You know, that big cheshire cat smile. The one that definitely says she’s up to no good.

I’m sure I just walked right into her trap, but dammit, I speed read this book after the shit-tastic day I had, and I don’t want it to be for nothing.

“Ohhhhh yes.” Ava leans forward, framing her chin with her hands, blinking rapidly at me. Here it comes. “What was your favorite part? The Eiffel Tower or the spit roast? Based on your experience, which position is more enjoyable?”

Yep. Total trap.

“Oh, I don’t know.” I sit back and twirl a lock of red hair around my finger. “I really like how the relationship developed between everyone. You know, three grumpy bosses and our heroine who shakes up their life with her sunny disposition and colorful office decor.”

The irony of the situation isn’t lost on me. The guys have commented several times on the bright animal prints I have scattered through my office and surprise, they aren’t fans. Not even Maverick who is usually the more easygoing of the three of them.

June leans back in the loveseat with a groan and fans herself with the paperback copy of the book because apparently she’s an overachiever. “Ohmygodyes. And how they resisted her for weeks.Weeks. Then they put her up on the conference room table and devoured her for hours.”

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