The Boss Crush

The more of that, the happier my sister usually is. But right now, she just looks annoyed.

The meeting lasts another forty-five minutes, and by the time James leaves, we’re signed on to do his next five advertising campaigns using Dalia’s designs.

Shaking his hand, I guide James out the door. Turning back to Dalia, I give her a big smile. “I’m taking you out to lunch for that. You deserve it. Seriously, nice job. James loves your stuff. You just did what no one else here has been able to do—ever.”

“Really?” Dalia asks, her cheeks blushing slightly. “No one else has won him over?”

“Not a soul,” I answer, flashing her a big, proud grin.

Clearing her throat, my sister grabs my wrist and starts to pull me away. “Excuse us, Dalia. Lyle, I need to talk to you alone for a minute.” Sandy drags me out of the conference room, and into the hall. The door closes behind us, clicking shut. And with that sound, Sandy’s entire demeanor changes. “What the fuck was that?”

“What?” Furrowing my brows, I keep my eyes on hers.

“That,” she says, throwing an arm at the conference room door. “No one else here has ever done this, blah blah blah—” Her voice is deep as she mimics me. “And now lunch with her? No, it’s not happening, it’s not a good idea, Lyle.”

“Why the hell not? She just landed us a huge client. One, do I need to remind you, who no one else could ever win over. Why shouldn’t she be rewarded?”

“Is that what you’re going to call this? A reward?” Her fingers flap in air quotes as she rolls her eyes. “What do you think the other employees will say? You’ve never taken anyone else out to lunch. How’s that going to look?”

“First of all, I don’t really give a shit what they think. I’m their damn boss. I’m half of this damn place, same as you. And secondly, no one else has ever done what she has in the amount of time she’s been here. Maybe this will be a good motivator for them.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I puff up.

I’m not backing down from her. This isn’t her choice to make.

Sandy’s really starting to annoy me. Why is she so against taking an employee out to lunch? That’s all Dalia is, an employee.

Is that really all she is? The question sits on my brain, but I don’t answer it. I don’t need to.

“Or,” she says, drawing out each letter, “maybe there’s something else going on between you two.” She dances two fingers back and forth in front of my face.

Scoffing, I scratch the tips of my fingers over my scalp, and groan. “Come on, Sandy, don’t start with this crap. There’s nothing going on between us. I just think she deserves to be recognized for the work she’s done. If the others don’t like it, fuck them, I don’t care. I’m not going to ignore the fact that she’s given us recognized brands to work with, and not just some little mom and pop places that no one’s ever heard of. With her talent, people are going to know who we are, and if they don’t, they’ll learn quick.”

“Well, I’m telling you no. You’re not taking her out to lunch.”

“You—” I say sharply, using a hand to brush her to the side of the hallway as I take a strong step forward. “You don’t get to tell me what to do. We’re partners here, which means I make decisions too.”

“Fine, do what you want.” She flaps her hands in the air, darting her eyes to the floor. “You know better than to get involved with an employee. . .” She drops her arms to her sides, brows folding up into hard arches.

I know what she’s doing, and I’m not getting sucked into it. She isn’t a victim here. I’m not going against her, this isn’t me being defiant. She’s not our mother, and I don’t owe her anything. We’re equals. Sandy doesn’t get to make all the rules.

I’m not going to give her the satisfaction of a response. Taking another step forward, I reach past her for the door handle. I’m done with her lecture, she isn’t my boss, no matter how much she wants to have total control.

“And,” she says louder, catching my attention, “you definitely know better than to get involved with a girl like her.”

Looking back at her over my shoulder, I snarl, “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Sandy smiles, resting her hands on her hips happily. “You know what it means, Lyle, don’t act stupid. We’re treasure, she’s trash, nothing’s changed, we’ve just allowed the lines to blur between us, that’s all. It doesn’t mean she’s one of us now.”

“What the hell is your problem, Sandy? This girl is making you money, she’s landed us two huge deals in the short time she’s been here, and you want to act like she doesn’t deserve something for it?”