Page 52 of Twisted Fate

“Wow. I mean, this is awesome. I would love to.” I make a mental note to text Allison when I get a break. We’re going out for drinks tonight to celebrate. Our friendship has been somewhat strained lately with the whole Evan thing, but there’s no one I’d rather toast to this new opportunity with.

“Great.” She feigns enthusiasm. “You’ll be working with me. Max is also on the gala committee along with several other employees, but I’m sure that won’t be a problem, right?”

“Right,” I answer, my voice more uptight than normal. “When do we start?”

“Now, and it’s going to take more than your one day a week here. Can you make that work?”

“Of course. My Friday class finishes at noon, so I’ll come here right after, and I can do some evenings and weekends, too.”

“Good,” she says before handing me a list. “This is everything we have to do.”

I scan the paper until the words blur. “Sure. When is the event?”

“A month tomorrow,” she answers.

“That’s soon.”

“You can read a calendar. Good for you. Let’s get to work.”

After a couple of hours, Skylar announces she’s leaving for the day, and Max takes her place on the other side of the table. He’s dressed in more casual attire than I’m used to seeing around here. He’s wearing a navy blue collared shirt with a loosely knotted tie and black jeans.

“You’re still alive, I see,” he says after sitting across from me.

I force a smile. “Looks like it.”

“What’s keeping you around, blondie?” he asks, raking a hand through the mop of hair on his head.

“Uh, my education,” I answer. “I need this to graduate.”

“You don’t need the dozens of extra hours this charity event will give you.”

“Maybe I enjoy doing something for a good cause. Or maybe I like working here.”

“Really?” he inquires with an amused expression.

I shrug. “Yeah. Do you hate me or something? Are you still mad you didn’t get to kill me?”

Max laughs. “I don’t get to have a lot of fun around here, so I find entertainment in screwing with you. You’re such an easy target.”

I stare at him, scowling. “You’re such a child. I’ve been working my ass off around here for a while now, and you’ve treated me like shit since the beginning.” I stand and walk out of the room, leaving my belongings behind. I need some air—I need to take a break so I don’t attack Max and get my ass handed to me. Stepping off the elevator into the lobby, I offer Marisa a quick wave on my way to the door.

“Aurora, come here,” she calls after me, so I turn and walk to the reception desk.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“You look pissed. I didn’t think Mr. Westbrook was in the office today.”

I laugh. As agitated as I am, Marisa is good at making me feel better. “Yeah, he’s not.” Which is making avoiding him a bit easier. “It’s Max.”

“Ugh, he’s a major dick. All the time.”

“Tell me about it.” I sigh.

“Remember when you told me you play piano?”

I nod.

She glances around as if to make sure no one is overhearing our exchange. “I saw some movers bring a piano into the ballroom.” She points to a hallway off of the lobby. “The double doors at the end of the hall. You can’t miss it.”

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