Page 5 of Reconciling With the Rival

Her eyes widen as she tries not to laugh.

“I’m serious! We have to go, or he’ll never get out! You know how stupid he is!”

“I’m so sorry, but I have to go deal with this emergency.” Alissa pats the guy on the arm before grabbing her purse.

“I totally get it. Younger siblings can be interesting sometimes.” He pulls a pen out of his jacket before writing down his phone number on a napkin. “Call me.”

Alissa pockets the napkin before I forcibly drag her from the bar, and when we get down the street, we burst out laughing. “I’m telling Leo about what you said.”

“Good. Maybe one day, he’ll actually get stuck in a mouse trap and cut off his toes.”

“Whatever you say, Ells. I’m positive he’ll love hearing that you talk about him.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m sure that’ll boost his already gigantic ego.”

“Let’s go home and watchLove Island,” Alissa says as she shoves me in the side.

“You really know the way to my heart, Liss. This is why we don't need anybody else.”

Alissa laughs as we head back to our apartment, and I smile as the warm June wind hits my face.Why would I need anybody else when I have Alissa and the girls?

Oh yeah, sex. That’s why.

Well, there's always next time.

2

I Don't Need To Be Handled

“Ella!”

I jump as I hear a loud clap.

“What! What?” I look up at Rae—my work bestie—as she makes a face at me.

“I’ve been talking to you for five minutes, and you haven't been listening. What’s up? Long night?” she asks as she takes a seat across from me.

“I don't know what’s up with me today. I can't seem to get anything done.”

“Were you up late fucking someone? I had this guy in bed last week, and he—”

I cut her off. “Rae, as much as I love our chats, I know you’re about to say something that will have HR up our asses again. What were you talking to me about before?”

Her face lights up as she remembers. “Right! Brody got the promotion! Can you believe they promoted him?”

“He’s a project manager now?” There’s no fucking wayBrodygot promoted. He’s the worst employee. I steal a glance of his office directly across from mine, and sure enough, it’s empty.Shit.“How did he manage to get that? Did he suck someone’s dick?”

Rae just laughs.Thank God my office door is closed.“You never know…”

“Does that mean Imogen is hiring someone new?” I ask, and she nods her head.

“Apparently, she already did. They start Monday.”

As I start to respond, there's a knock at my office door. “Come in.”

Adam, another colleague, peeks his head in. “Did you guys hear about Brody?”

“Yup. We were just talking about it.” Rae takes a sip of coffee from her mug.

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