Page 246 of One More Kiss

Chapter8

The Fourth cameand went with fireworks, burgers, and margaritas, and before she was ready, Bailey was back to work.

The office was buzzing with clients wanting to schedule fall makeovers for their homes and offices, something she never quite understood. Why not just pick one look to stick with and then add pops of color for a holiday?

Oh well, it kept her in business.

“Hey, Bailey!”

Surprised, Bailey turned to see her boss, Cecilia, coming out of her office and heading through the hall of cubicles.

“Miss Cane.”

Cecilia smiled widely. “I hear you did wonderful things with the Lawson home.”

Cecilia wrapped an arm through Bailey’s and pulled her toward her white and gold office.

“I just gave the client what she wanted.”

Cecilia scoffed. “It’s just us, dear, We all know Gertrude Lawson has horrid taste. You did what any great designer does and turned what she thought she wanted into something better.”

“I guess.” Caught off guard and still not fully awake, Bailey let herself be pushed down into a fluffy chair.

“So, let’s chat.”

“About?”

Cecilia winked. “These came for you this morning.” She handed Bailey a bouquet of roses that had been sitting on her desk. “From Brett Lawson.”

Bailey winced, when was this guy going to get it?

“Since it seems you know him well enough that he apologized—I read the card—I want you to introduce us.”

“Wait. You read the card? My card?”

Cecilia laughed. “There are no secrets here, darling. This is my world.”

Bailey wasn’t sure what exactly made her snap. Was it the breach of privacy? The lack of recognition? The lack of sleep maybe? But she’d finally had enough. The years of working here for this succubus had finally caught up with her, and she stood.

“You can have these.” Bailey thrust the flowers back at Cecilia hard enough that some of the water spilled out onto the woman’s white jumpsuit.

“Easy!”

“I quit.”

“Excuse me? You can’t quit!” Cecilia set the flowers down and tried to grab the door before Bailey could leave.

Bailey spun. “Oh, I can, and I will. I have been busting my ass here for nearly six years, and what do I have to show for it? A cubicle in the corner and your name on every single transaction. Tell me, Cecilia, when was the last time you did any actual work?

And now, not only do you want the credit for everything, but you also want me to introduce you to a man I briefly dated? A man who sent me flowers? Pfft!” Bailey yanked the door open and headed for her cubicle.

“If you leave this office, you will never work for another design company! I will have you blacklisted from every single one!”

Bailey shoved the few personal items she had into her bag and turned to smile at Cecilia. “Good luck, and goodbye, bitch.”

Shaking from excitement, Bailey stepped out into the warm July air with a smile on her face.

She had absolutely no damn clue as to what she was supposed to do now, but for the first time, it felt like she was in complete control of her own life.

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