Page 64 of Sweet Heat at Bayside
“Now I’m going to be aroused all evening thinking about you naked.”
“I like knowing I can get you all hot and bothered. Did I tell you I’m wearing the white lace panties and matching bra that you love? The one with the bows on my hips.”
He made another sexy sound.
“Or that I bought thigh-high stockings to wear home tonight just for you? There might be garters involved.”
“Serena… How fast can you get home?”
“Traffic’s going to suck.” She lowered her voice as a group of men walked past and said, “I’m going to be starved by the time I get there because I’m too excited to eat.”
“I’ll be your feast, baby.”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.” She flagged down a cab and said, “Safe subject time. I’m getting in a cab.” She climbed into a cab and gave them the address of her office. Then she said, “I reconfirmed the bands for the grand opening tomorrow, and we have no last-minute cancelations. I can’t believe it, and I can’t wait to see it all come together. It seems outrageous that you ownfivemusic stores. You’re like a music storemogul. Remember how nervous everyone was when you opened the first one?”
“You weren’t,” he reminded her.
“Because I knew you’d succeed. You’re too driven, toobullheaded, not to.”
Another call rang through, and she checked the screen. “Ugh.That’s my boss. Hold on.”
She switched to the other call and said, “Hi, Suzanne. The meeting with Seth Braden and Jared Stone went tremendously well. I can’t wait to get started. And we’re making headway on both the Younger project and the Wilkinsons’ library renovation.”
“That’s good to hear, Serena. I’m calling because I’ve just been told that you were never notified about the client appreciation day tomorrow. Apparently, the email invitations went out the weekbeforeyou started.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I don’t mind. I have plans anyway. I’m going back home for the grand opening of Drake’s music store.”
Silence stretched for a beat too long. Serena looked at her phone to make sure she hadn’t lost the call.
“Suzanne? Are you there?”
“Yes, I’m here. I’m sorry, Serena, but it’s imperative that you’re at the event. Your clients will be there, and as a new associate, you’re still making a name for yourself with them.”
“Yes, I understand, but we’ve been working toward this grand opening for several weeks, planning it for more than a year. Would it be okay if I asked Laura or Spencer to go on my behalf?” Yet another valid reason to have the junior designers as close to the clients as she was.
Suffocating silence ensued, and panic clawed its way up her chest.
“Serena, if you still worked for Mr. Savage that would be one thing, but you work for KHB now, and you hold a very prominent and important position in the firm. Your employment contract covers these types of monthly events, which are critical to the firm’s—and your—reputation.”
There was an icy chill to her voice that made Serena’s skin crawl. How did people reach a point where they completely lacked compassion? “Yes. I’m sorry. Of course. I’ll be there.”
She closed her eyes against the sting of tears as they ended the call and she switched back to Drake.
“Babe? Everything okay?”
“Nothing is okay.” As she relayed her situation to him, her sadness turned to anger. “I feel powerless, but we both know I’m not. I’m going to talk to her when I go into the office and see if I can change her mind.”
“Serena,don’tjeopardize your job for this. She’s right. Your loyalty has to be to KHB right now, and you are building a reputation there.”
“No way she’s right! This is your biggest, most important opening yet, in a town thatmeanssomething to you. This is the opening that matters most, the one where you have pressure to do everything right because so many of the people who will come have known you forever.” She knew how proud Drake was to finally feel comfortable enough with his business, his success and practices, to open a store near his hometown. She’d taken extra steps to make sure it was everything he hoped for.
“I know, but it’s okay,” he said. “I understand.”
“Well, don’t, because you should be upset, like I am. I would never make an employee miss something they’ve worked on for so long. We spent months looking for a location, negotiating with vendors, setting up distribution, talking with schools…Tomorrow is the big payoff! It’s the moment when we stand back and see it all come to fruition, whenyourcommunity comes together in celebration of whatyou’veaccomplished. There will never be a repeat of that day. That’sourmoment, Drake. Yours as the owner and mine as your friend who has watched you plan and put blood, sweat, and tears into every element, every decision.” She couldn’t slow her thoughts as she paid the driver and got out in front of her office building. She stormed inside and pushed the elevator button repeatedly. “I’m going to lose you in the elevator. I’ll call and let you know how it goes.”
“Supergirl, wait—” he said hastily. “Please don’t mess this up because of me. Take a breath. What if she fires you?”
“Then she does, but at least I’m not a doormat.” She ended the call and rode the elevator up to the fourteenth floor, preparing to give Suzanne a piece of her mind.
