Page 60 of The Boss Situation

“I was pissed.”

I think back to what Josh said about how he couldn’t get Billie off his mind. Deep down, I knew the curse was alive and festering inside of me. Now I’m officially fucking doomed.

“This is so unprofessional,” Nick says as he colors the lettering.

“This is old-fashioned trolling,” I confirm, knowing Billie thrives on the constant push and pull.

I read over the gigantic sign, proud of what it says.

Does your boyfriend know about me?

Nick shakes his head. “Last week, you said this wasn’t personal.”

“It wasn’t. But I changed my mind. I’m determined to go harder than she ever expected,” I explain.

He stares at me for at least a minute. “Do you have a thing for her?”

I suck in a deep breath. “Definething.”

“Wow.You do.”

I scoff. “I didn’t say that.”

“You don’t have to. I know how to settle this.” Nick cups his hands over his mouth. “Lauren! Lauren, come here!”

“Don’t,” I warn, raising my voice.

He moves toward the door, still yelling. A few illustrators stand from their cubicles and stare at us.

“Nick, you’re making a scene.” I don’t want any unnecessary attention. Enough has been said about the firm over the last week because of the deal with Lustre. I’m not looking forward to dealing with new rumors.

Lauren enters, glaring at us. “Nicolas Matthew Banks. Don’t you ever yell at me like that again. I was on the phone.”

“I’m sorry. Just come in and close the door.” Once she does, he continues, “Do you think Asher has a crush on Billie?”

“Calloway? Yes,” Lauren answers.

My jaw clenches tight. “This conversation is ajoke.”

Lauren crosses her arms over her chest. “No one is laughing.”

Nick doesn’t take his eyes off me. “Holy shit. You’re actually in lo?—”

“Okay, that’s enough,” I cut him off before he can finish his sentence, but I know what he was going to say.

“Lauren, get out. Nick, help me hang this sign; then you can fuck off too.”

He chuckles, completely unfazed. Lauren leaves, and I rip down my disrespectful sign, tossing it aside.

Nick grabs the new one off the conference room table, and we climb some step stools to put it up. Once we finish taping it, we both climb down.

Billie and Harper stare at us from across the way.

“Oh shit,” Nick mutters as Billie storms out of her office.

Harper flips me off and rushes toward her.

“Guess it was the right message,” I say. “Anyway, I need to step out and clear my mind. I’ll be back this afternoon.”

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