Page 4 of City of Sin (Men of Manhattan 1)

"You know what I mean." I looked up at her. This was supposed to be a stepping stone. I felt stuck. He's never going to look at me as anything more than someone to fetch coffee." And if I had to edit another one of his documents, I felt like I would scream. I hadn't spent four years busting my ass in school to be a secretary. This job was supposed to open doors, but I wasn't sure how much more I could take. And no matter how hard I worked, every door always seemed to be closed.

"Have you pitched him any of your ideas?"

"I've tried. He always interrupts me."

"Maybe do it in the meeting tomorrow? And then everyone will be listening, not just him. It'll almost force him into hearing you out."

"I'm supposed to be taking notes, not participating."

"Right, said no one ever." Kendra took a sip of her coffee. "But back to my other point. What did you do last night?"

"I watched T.V. And went to bed. Like a normal person."

"Normal people don't sit in their apartments alone every night. Come out with me tonight. It will be fun, I promise."

"I don't want to go out."

"Bee."

"Kendra."

She laughed. "There's a new bar opening up around the corner from here. And ther

e are so many eligible bachelors who work around here. I'm sure the bar will be packed."

"If you must know, I already have plans tonight."

"With your T.V.?"

"No. I'm going over to Marie and Carter's for dinner."

"Hanging out with a married couple doesn't exactly count as plans."

"Of course it does. You're being ridiculous."

"Maybe tomorrow night, then? I don't want to go alone."

"Maybe."

"Which means no."

The microwave beeped and I pulled out the coffee mug. "Maybe means maybe."

"Sure. At least think about speaking up during the meeting tomorrow. You can't be afraid to show them what you got. See you at lunch, Bee."

I felt cold despite the fact that I was still wearing my winter coat in the office. Am I afraid?

Chapter 2

Bee

I pressed the buzzer outside of Marie and Carter's apartment building. "Marie, it's me. Let me in." I pulled my jacket tightly around myself. No answer came through the speaker system. I pressed the button again. "Marie, please, it's freezing!"

A second later the door buzzed. Yes. I grabbed the handle and almost ran inside. Marie was the first friend I had made in New York. She used to work at Kruger Advertising with Kendra and me. She had gotten a promotion a few months ago and then used her new position as leverage for a better pay grade at another ad agency, Blue Media. She had her dream job and Carter worked for the same company as her. They were the nicest power couple I had ever met. And Marie hadn't started as a secretary. I couldn't help but think I was on the wrong path. If I wanted to be where she was in a few years, I really needed to make a change. Maybe Kendra was right. I was just worried Mr. Ellington would be mad if I spoke up during the meeting. And I was so tired of feeling afraid.

I knocked on Marie's door and she immediately opened it.

"Hey, Bee!" She gave me a big hug. "Geez, I feel like it's been forever since we've gotten to hang out."

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