Page 60 of Dangerous Encore
"Yes, we can. But we're getting old. And tired. And we both play bad cop." She stares back at me. "You're ready, Bella. You're ready to do this onyourown."
"Maybe."
"I'll hate to lose you as an assistant, but you'll make a great colleague. I won't bullshit you. It will be more hours. More work. More travel, even. But it will also be more money. More responsibility. More chances for you to use your brain instead ofyourtits."
It's appealing. "Can I thinkaboutit?"
She nods. "I'm going to start looking for Jayce's replacement soon."So don't think too long. "You're a great assistant, darling. You're welcome to work for meforever."
"Until you quit to screw yourboytoys?"
She laughs. "Yes,untilthen."
It's a lot to think about. In theory, this is a greatnextstep.
It's abetterjob.
Moremoney.
More roomtogrow.
But only if it's whatIwant.
I swallow my last drop of club soda. It does nothing to clear my head. Or ease my breath. "I'll think about it." I nod to the door and take a stepbackward.
Ugh. That nausea.Again.
"I'll walk you out,"Alessandrasays.
Which means she has some pep talk togiveme.
She doesn't get off her ass if she canhelpit.
And I mean that in the most loving waypossible.
I noduh-huh. We walk out of the office and through the lobbytogether.
The lights feel brighter. The colors seem more garish. And everythingisso—
Ugh.
I motion to the ladies' room and dart forthedoor.
It's open, thank God, and it's clean and empty. I dash into the handicap stall and throw myself at the tilefloor.
Fuck.
I slide my glasses off with one hand and pull my hair back with theother.
And I hurl until there's nothing lefttohurl.
Fuck, I hatebeingsick.
The door opens with a creek. Alessandra's slow, steady footsteps move intotheroom.
She taps a knock on the door. "You need anAdvil?"
"No.That'sokay."
