Page 19 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

“Yeah, I guess, but it’s only been a few days. No big deal.” I checked the time. A few more minutes. “What was going on with you last night?”

“What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? Everything, Christa. I’m sure I don’t have to spell it out for you. I know you don’t like me and Dre together in this way but—”

She whipped a bagel at me, and I caught it right before the blueberries smeared against my white shirt. “What the hell?”

“Did you eat anything yet?”

“No,” I said. “Are you changing the subject?”

“Yes, just like you were doing.”

I pulled a baggie from the drawer and stuck the bagel inside. I could probably munch on it on the way. “I know you’re rooting for my relationship to fail, but aren’t you supposed to be my best friend here and support me no matter what?”

She came over and gave me a hug. “I do support you, Perry. And last night I was just in a strange mood. It had nothing to do with you.”

I rinsed out my mug and put it in the dishwasher. “Do you want to talk about it?”Shit. I had to go. “Tonight?”

“No. To quote your words, it was no big deal.” She smiled. “Now get out of here before you end up getting fired on your second day.”

I slipped on my heels. “So hey, the guy you were entertaining for hours… who was it?”

She grinned wider. “Well, you did say you wouldn’t mind.”

My heart beat a little faster. “Wouldn’t mind what?”

“Me rolling the dice with Mr. Lucky.” She winked.

“Ah….” I turned my back on her as the words stuck in my throat.Fucking get it together, woman. “I guess it paid off, then. Good for you.”

“You sound upset. Shit, Perry. You swore you weren’t interested. I hope I didn’t fuck anything up.”

I was being ridiculous. Absolutely apeshit. I faced her and smiled. “Of course you didn’t. I’m with Dre, you know that. Now, I really do have to go.” I blew her a kiss. “Have a great day. We’ll talk later.”

I got into my little Focus and rested my head back on the seat for a quick sec before peeling out of the lot. My reaction back there had thrown me. I had no connection with that man besides a green piece of costume jewelry. I didn’t even like green. He was cute, that’s all. I ran into cute guys all the time. I didn’t even know his fucking name.

I nibbled on my blue-spotted hunk of bread. It clumped in my throat, and I wished I’d thought to bring a bottle of water. I could make the drive to work in fifteen minutes if I hit all the lights. I concentrated on that—focused my mind on a seamless drive, the change from red to green as I approached. Ugh.I hatedgreen.

Fortunately, it didn’t hate me back; I ended up making every stoplight and pulled into FiTech’s parking lot a minute early. I was feeling much better. I realized that I only needed that short time to clear my head and get my priorities straight. I was starting a whole new life here. I had a great job, and I was with Dre. It’d all work out. I just had to have a little faith. I was even happy for Christa. I mentally shook some pom-poms.Rah-rah. Way to go.

My phone dinged with an incoming text. I pulled it out of my purse as I stepped from my car, reading the screen as I walked up to the building.

I couldn’t torture you any longer. Sorry for making you suffer as long as I did. The guy in my room last night was an old fling I ran into after you left. Do-overs aren’t my thing, but like I said… weird mood. Luv ya. Kick some serious ass today. P.S. Interested yet?

Dammit, Christa. Damn damn damn.We had a rule between us:no going after the same guy. If one was interested, the other backed off. Now she was playing this game. I’d already accepted what I thought had happened, but this was almost worse. I was going to have to demand that she screw him now.

“Miss, are you planning on badging in or do you need some help?”

I noticed the sweet, balding security guard poking his head around the desk and speaking through the intercom. “Oh, right. No, I’ve got it.” I pulled my badge from my purse and held it up to the scanner. It beeped and I opened the lobby door.Nice, Perry. I made it there early only to daze out on the front steps for five minutes.

He tipped his hat at me. “Morning, Miss Sommers.”

“Good morning, Tom.”

“Beautiful day out there.”

“It sure is.” I smiled and walked past. I really hoped he had a gun stashed away somewhere because if someone did happen to break in, I didn’t think his legs even had enough muscle to support a fast getaway.

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