Page 23 of The Boss Situation

Carlee and Lexi listen to the CliffsNotes version of what’s happening with Bellamore, Banks, and Lustre. Their expressions go from happy to confused to angry. The most basic details are given, but they’re married to my brothers, so they understand the code.

When I’m finished, they look at me, concerned.

“Do you have a picture of this sign?” Lexi asks.

“Sadly, no. But I’m sure you can search it online. Someone has posted it. Anyone in the surrounding buildings can see it.”

“What will you do?” Carlee asks.

“Survive,” I tell her. “Just as all the other women who came before me in fashion did. It may be full of pretty dresses, but this is a man’s world. I’m just determined to rule it.”

Carlee nods. “Wow. I might have to quote you on that when I write the article about how Bellamore took down Lustre and outsmarted Banks’s firm. You’re going to be a hero.”

“Don’t flatter me,” I say. “But if I outsmart them, you have my permission. The devil’s in the details though.”

“I’ve got you,” Carlee whispers and grows giddy.

She runs a gossip website called LuxLeaks and is the writer behind it. She is LadyLux. I only discovered it a few weeks ago, when I took her laptop to push her and my brother together. To my surprise, I learned they’d done the same to Lexi and Easton. Iffashion isn’t the industry for me, maybe I’ll go into matchmaking with the two of them.

As I drink my champagne, I realize it no longer has a taste. Drunk Billie has officially arrived. The lights slowly lower and rise—an indicator that the ceremony will begin soon. It’s being televised, which makes me more nervous. However, I have a prepared speech, just in case I win, and enough champagne in my body to keep me toasted until the morning.

“Let’s get together soon,” Lexi offers.

“Can I join you?” Carlee asks.

“The three of us. And Harper,” I add with a grin. “I’ll plan something.”

We hug before going our separate ways. I find my seat in the auditorium, unsure of who will be on either side of me.

Moments later, I smell him. Asher fucking Banks. I turn my head, and our eyes meet as he sits beside me.

“You’re kidding me,” I mutter, shaking my head.

“Wonder who I pissed off to be sat here,” he mutters under his breath just as the lights dim and fade to black.

Everyone focuses on the stage as the opening speech is given. We sit through different skits and performances between awards.

Banks laughs at every dumb joke and is having the time of his life. I’d rather be at home in my bed, watching D-rated slasher films as I reply to the hundreds of emails I haven’t read yet.

“And now it’s time to present the Cityscape Award,” the announcer says. “This is one of the greatest honors any CEO can be given. It’s dedicated to someone innovative who continues to move the world forward by focusing on people instead of profits. The nominees are Asher Banks, with Banks’s Advertising and Marketing Firm. Asher Banks brought the company from the bottom to the top and is known for discovering the next hottest companies and giving them a chance to succeed.”

The camera zooms in on his face.

“Josh Lustre, with Lustre Fashion. Established in 1905 and still the industry leader in fashion.”

I look at the screen and hate that he still looks that good. I sigh.

“Billie Calloway, with Bellamore. A corporation that worked its way from the bottom to billions and changed a manufacturing process that helps lessen the environmental impact that fast fashion creates on the world.”

I nod at the camera, not smiling.

The woman unfolds the envelope and smiles. “And the Cityscape Award goes to … Asher Banks.”

“Told you so,” he leans in and whispers in my ear as the camera zooms in on him and me.

“Fuck off,” I cover my mouth and whisper as applause fills the room.

I give him a slow clap, and he shoots me a wink.

---