Page 19 of Sleepless Nights and Hockey Fights

I open my eyes and see Ashley beaming at me. Fuck, I wonder if she gives out gold stars. Then I notice movement over the laptop screen and see Richie standing in my doorway, one hand on the doorknob and the other motioning by his crotch. His tongue’s hanging out of his mouth and his hips are downright lewd in their gyrations. I flip him off outside the camera angle so Ashley won’t see. Richie falls to the floor in a heap of silent laughter.

“You know what, Ashley?” I say out loud. “I think all my anger stems from one of my brothers. He’s here with me now actually. Do you think he can join the session? I really think it’ll help me work some things out.”

Richie’s head pops up from the floor with a look of dread.

“Oh my god, yes!” Ashley claps her hands.

And that’s how Richie ends up joining me for my first session of anger management classes. Sadly, we’re both screwed up enough Ashley suggests quite firmly that we should meet daily for at least the next few weeks.

Chapter Ten

Molly

“Have I told you lately what a star you are?” Coco stops in front of my desk, perching half of her designer-suited butt on the corner.

Jason’s responding scoff is muted enough that I know Coco didn’t hear it. Jason and Maude have both made it clear that my getting Bobby’s contract is total bullshit in their eyes, and the contentious atmosphere this past week has been brutal. Coco may think she’s helping with this display of loyalty, but I fear it will only make things worse.

I send her a meaningful look that she pretends not to notice.

“We just officially acquired the contract for the Victorian on Newland.”

My responding smile is instantaneous. “That’s amazing!”

“And it’s all thanks to you. Niedermeyer and Associates tried swooping in, of course, but the owner and I had already established a rapport by then.” She returns to her feet and brushes the invisible wrinkles from her skirt. “Well, I have a lunch date, so I’ll be unavailable for the next two hours.” Shewinks at me. I swallow my laugh, and she sashays to the lobby where she stops to chat with P.J., our receptionist.

“Molly, I’ve been meaning to ask all morning. Did I see you arrive at work in aCybertruck?” Jason asks with a little too much interest for my comfort.

Shit. I square my shoulders and turn to face him. “Yes. I had an early appointment with a client.” It’s kind of true, isn’t it?

Maude’s responding laugh is unfriendly, at best. “Is that what we’re calling it now? At least it finally makes sense how you got his contract.”

I swivel the other way, intent on giving Maude a piece of my mind, but I force myself to stop. She wants me to react, and I refuse to give it to her. “I’m going to lunch,” I announce instead, opening the large bottom drawer of my desk to retrieve my bag. Neither Jason nor Maude comments. Good. They need to mind their own business.

It’s not until I’m out the door that I remember I have no car, so I’m forced to sneak back in and grab my packed lunch from the break room. I decide to make the three-block trek to the nearby park and eat there.

When I’m settled at a picnic table, I unpack my carrot sticks and hummus and pull out my phone. My first instinct is to call Ramona, but she’s at work at the hospital. I briefly consider calling Blake, but I don’t want him worrying about me. We’ve finally reached the point in our divorce where he’s gotten over his crushing guilt, and I don’t want him to think I’m struggling any more than he already suspects.

Not letting myself think too hard about it, I open Catnip, scroll to my chat with @PitterPatterLetsGetAtHerand begin typing.

@singlemomcatlady: Please tell me your day is going better than mine.

The ellipses immediately appear, telling me he’s online.

@PitterPatterLetsGetAtHer: Well, that depends. Did your boss almost murder you and your coworkers today?

I pop a carrot stick in my mouth with wide eyes.

@singlemomcatlady: You win. What happened? Did you do something to earn it or is your boss just a jerk?

@PitterPatterLetsGetAtHer: He’s not so much a jerk. Just demanding, which is probably a good thing. He’s new and trying to make his mark. He and I don’t see eye-to-eye on some things.

@singlemomcatlady: Ah. I see. I lucked out in that department. My boss is fantastic. It’s my coworkers who aren’t so much.

@PitterPatterLetsGetAtHer: When my coworkers are being asses, I usually just tell them so. But our workplace is casual like that. I’m guessing that’s not an option for you?

I brush a curious ant from the wood picnic tabletop and dip another carrot in the hummus while I think about that for a second.

@singlemomcatlady: I don’t love conflict.

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