Page 57 of The Physical Attraction Seminar
“Thank you for your time, ladies.” With a nod, Idismiss the girls, and the sound of their shuffling footsteps fades away once the door closes behind them.
“Now that we’ve established that I was in fact on vacation last week and that my girlfriend is not my assistant, let's discuss the non-fraternization policy at further length, because I have a few thoughts…”
When I arrive back at my office, there’s a pretty brunette with long hair and hazel eyes sitting in my chair.
Her eyes light up the second she sees me. “Did it work? Did the board get rid of the non-fraternization policy?”
“It worked.” She stands up from my chair and leaps into my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I can’t believe you got Aspen and Nina to go along with it. None of us were expecting that.”
“I saw them at The Smoothie Bar when I was walking in, and since I don’t start my new job until Monday, they were wondering why I was here,” she explains with a big smile. “I told them what was happening, and they wanted to join in, and well, I couldn’t really say no.”
I can’t blame her. I learned long ago that it’s better to have the two of them on your side to keep your secrets than to let them snoop around and find out on their own.
“Thanks for your help,” I smile against Lyla’s lips.
“Thanks forletting me help.”
As Lyla presses her lips to mine, I feel a surge of pride filling my chest. The two of us make a pretty good team.
I pull back slightly, our lips still brushing against each other. “Two quick questions.”
“Hmm?”
“Where’s the zipper on this dress? And how good are you at being quiet?”
TWENTY-THREE
LYLA
“I can’t believeyou’re leaving me.”
“I’m only going to be working eighteen floors down from you. You’re acting like I’m moving to a different country.”
“You might as well be moving to Canada,” Camila huffs while fishing her keycard out of her bag. “It starts with going to work on a different floor, and soon enough, you’ll be spending every night at his gorgeous house. Then, at my loneliest, you’ll completely move out of the apartment.”
With a swipe of our keycards, we glide through the turnstiles and enter the lobby. I reach out and grab Camila’s hand, our fingers intertwining, and swiftly pull her off to the side. We’re hidden by a towering artificial plant, seamlessly hidden from the morning crowd bustling their way inside.
“Listen,” I look her dead in the eyes while clasping hershoulders. “I promise we’ll still have lunch together. And I promise I won’t spendeverynight at his gorgeous house.”
“Just most of them.”
“It’s a really nice house. There’s a bidet and a towel warmer and like a thousand rooms,” I explain. “You could move in, and we probably wouldn’t even notice.”
She scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest dramatically. “If I find a new best friend, don’t be upset.”
“Maybe try looking for a boyfriend first.”
Camila rolls her eyes, but her arms wrap around me in a tight, comforting hug. Our first day since knowing each other that we’re not working together. I can’t believe it.
Since we started working at Banks Brothers Enterprises, our paths rarely crossed unless we intentionally crossed them. Now I’ll be missing out on all the office drama that’s going to unfold.
Last night, I made her promise me that she would be my exclusive source for all the inside scoop on B.B.E. gossip, no matter how small. I also warned her that if I caught wind of old gossip from Nina or Aspen that she failed to tell me about, there would be serious consequences.
“Okay. Enough of that.” She pulls away. “I’m going to get a latte from the coffee shop before my meeting with Nicolette. I hope you have the worst first day ever and that you come crawling back begging for a job,” she says sarcastically, but I know there’s a hint of truth in her words.
“Bye, Cam.” I wave her off and head for the elevators.
My stomach is in knots already. I’m equal parts excitedand nervous. This job is a lot more responsibility, but I know I can handle it. And I know that I’ll make Aspen proud. I wouldn’t have taken a risk by all but telling her to interview me if I didn’t believe in my ability to be a good office manager.
