8

Out of all thestupid things I could have said and done, insulting the rich and influential guy who could make or break our business has probably topped the charts. Calling someone a creep isn’t so bad, is it?

I bet none of his employees ever dared to call him that. At least not while he was tuning in to the conversation.

As much as I want to blame it on the flight (never get seated next to someone who takes over an hour to clip their toenails), the stress (this is our first job), and lack of sleep because of money problems, I know I can’t.

He’s been nothing but kind by paying for my flight and accommodations, canceling Brenda’s charity bid, and then proceeding to give our company a real chance. Ishouldbe thankful, but the truth is I just can’t stop behaving like a sulky kid.

Not around him.

This meeting is a blessing. Only, I can’t go through with it. There is something about Tyler Becks that makes me want to run and hide, which is why I hope Lucky will know what to say to lift my spirits.

I’m sitting on one of the plush sofas in the restaurant’s bathroom as I try to type on my iPhone as fast as autocorrect will allow me. I’ve been in here for at least ten minutes, conversing with LuckyLuke because he’s easier to talk to than Tyler Becks who’s probably getting impatient waiting for me.

But any diversion is better than facing him. And that’s exactly what Lucky is to me.

Subject:Re: Can you hide in a bathroom forever?

I’ve never triedbut I wouldn’t think so. At some point, you’ll need sustenance in the form of food and drink. Maybe a bed, too, and someone to keep it warm for you. Why would you even want to hide?

On a side note, you never called. I’m beginning to take it personally. Is it possible that you aren’t single like you claimed to be?

— LuckyLuke

Subject:Re: Re: Can you hide in a bathroom forever?

I’m not really hiding.I’m just postponing the inevitable, which is talking to the creep who’s flown me to Vegas under the pretense of a job offer. Did I mention it’s the same guy I met at the auction?

Let’s face it, my impressive résumé wasn’t what caught his attention, and now I don’t know how to deal with it. My bestie’s outburst would probably send the entire cosmos into mayhem if I told him that I’m not interested in anything he has to offer, be it a job or whatever he has in mind.

— Bumblebee07

Subject:Re: Re: Re: Can you hide in a bathroom forever?

Why all the hostility?Are you attracted to him and think you couldn’t work for him knowing that you’ll act on that attraction at some point?

— LuckyLuke

Yes,why all the hostility indeed?

I skim over Lucky’s message as I try to push the nagging feeling that he’s right to the back of my mind.

I am attracted to this guy, but there’s no way I’d ever act on it for countless reasons.

One being…

Subject:Re: Re: Re: Re: Can you hide in a bathroom forever?

He’s a creep.That’s all.

— Bumblebee07

Subject:Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Can you hide in a bathroom forever?

A creepwho’s giving you a chance.

— LuckyLuke