Chapter Seven
“Did you hear what happened at the Plush launch party last night?”
I sat up straighter in my seat. I had been slumped over the one of the break room tables for the better part of a half an hour, avoiding my email inbox, Rita, and Bryce—in that order. I’d almost left when the pack of secretaries made their entrance, not in the mood to listen to their chitter-chatter. But at the new topic, my ears perked up even as I felt my stomach drop, sure I knew what would be coming next.
“No! Tell me!” another voice demanded.
“Well, Becca was there on a date, some uber rich guy. Anyways, she told Jeannie, who told me, that Cooper Brighton was there totally making out with some chick outside the bathroom.”
I stifled a laugh and settled for an eye roll instead. Sometimes, I felt like I slipped into a wormhole and ended up back in high school.
“So what? He’s always with another woman. Every event he has some new hoochie.”
“No, no, this was different.”
“How?”
“The girl he was with works here!”
They all gasped in apparent horror. I stiffened in my seat and turned my face away, feeling my cheeks heat up.
“No way! Who is she?”
“Becca said there is a new girl that has been working with him on the new campaign, so it’s probably her, but from what I’ve heard, I don’t think she’s really his type.”
“Well whoever she is, she better hope Rita doesn’t find out.”
They all broke out in a cackle. “No kidding!” one of them added.
They were still laughing and whispering to each other as they filed out of the break room, coffee cups refilled, and headed back to their posts. I gathered up my granola bar and coffee mug and surrendered to the fact that I had to talk to Bryce about what happened and get his advice on what to do next.
Conveniently, he was already waiting for me back at my cubicle. Well, more accurately, he was pacing along the wall, scouting the office. As soon as he saw me, he pounced. “Where have you been?” he hissed. “I’ve been looking for you all morning.”
“What is the matter with you?” I said, looking down at his hand that was firmly grasping my arm.
“Sorry,” he released me. “But we need to talk. Now. My office.”
“Okay.”
I followed closely behind him as we made our way to his office. Once there, he shut the door behind us and dropped the blinds so no one could see us inside.
“What the hell were you thinking?” He spun around and stared me down.
I gaped at him. “What are you talking about?”
“I thought I made it clear that you were to keep Mr. Brighton happy until all this drama blew over. I also thought I made it clear that you are under no circumstances in a position where you can get involved with him!” He raked his hands through his thinning hair before turning his fierce gaze back on me.
“Nothing happened,” I answered, struggling to hold back the frustrated scream that was bubbling up inside me.
“Don’t lie to me. I’m risking my job to help you. I deserve the truth.” Bryce sat in his chair.
I looked down at my shoes and turned over ideas in my mind, stalling for time while I tried to think of how to say what I needed to tell him.
“Did you, or did you not, kiss him at the party last night?”
My head popped up. “Yes, but it’s not what you think. I didn’t want to kiss him! He kissed me!”
“So he forced himself on you? Is that what you’re telling me? If so, we need to go to Rita right now.”