“That was my plan.” I cringe, just thinking about it. “But that rando turned out to be Chase Winston. So, there I was, on his balcony. In my underwear. In the rain. At six in the fucking morning,” I say.
She stares at me in shock and then laughs. “You knocked on our boss’s window, in your underwear?” she gasps, between fits of laughter. Her eyes are so wide she looks almost comical. “Oh, Lanna! What did he do?”
“He let me in,” I say. I shudder, remembering the moment he realized it was me. “He was so amused by the whole thing, and I think he loved the fact that I was so embarrassed. I asked for a shirt to cover myself up, and he gave me something that wouldn’t fit even you,” I say, eyeing her tiny, petite frame enviously.
“And now you think that's what this promotion is all about?” she asks, confused. “Because you turned up on his balcony in your underwear?”
“I'm sure of it. Between that and last week, he probably thinks I’m an easy score.” I frown. God knows what this promotion entails. Between the blow job talk and the free peep show, he’s probably wondering what he can get if he pays me more.
“If you really believe that, then why not just say no?” she asks. Her eyes narrow. A smile creeps across her face as she reaches over and slaps my leg again. “Ah, I get it. It’s because you like the idea of him wanting you like that, don’t you?”
I open my mouth, ready to argue, and then close it.
“Fine, maybe I do, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to set myself up for disappointment,” I argue.
“What do you mean? Are you worried about him hurting you?” she asks.
I snort. “God no. I know the type of guy he is. That part is fine. I’m scared that I’ll get my hopes up about this promotion leading somewhere, when he has no intention of letting that happen.”
“So, talk to him about it. If he’s so sure you’re an easy lay, he’ll probably agree to whatever terms you throw at him.”
I think about that for a second. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I can bargain with him. I just want the chance to prove to him that I can be an asset to him in a business sense and not just run around him in circles, like a lapdog. I glance at Peyton, feeling bad for describing the job like that.
“You really think I can do that?” I ask her, hesitating.
She nods encouragingly. “Just keep your head above water and remember why you’re doing this. You’ll be fine, as long as you don’t get caught up in his charms,” she assures me.
“I can assure you I have no intention of letting him get under my skin,” I say with a laugh. “I mean, sure he’s attractive, rich, and he has the ability to make me feel like I’m standing in front of him, naked—”
“Because you know, that’s what you’re known for now,” Peyton cuts in with a giggle. I glower at her and then continue.
“As I was saying, I can think of a thousand other gorgeous guys I could be with who’d be much less trouble.” I say. Peyton raises her eyebrows, as if she doesn’t quite believe me.
Hell, I’m not sure I even believe it myself.
The biggest problem is that I don't know if I can be that close to him every single day and not give in if he made a move on me. And here I go again, thinking that he’s even interested in me like that. I bet this is nothing more than a game for him. I’m just another chick throwing myself at him, only I’m more creative about it than most. He probably fired Jade, just so we could mess with my head some more.
“Still not convinced?” Peyton asks.
“I'm just not sure that it's worth losing my sanity over,” I say honestly.
“What do you mean? It's a great opportunity for you. Isn’t this why you’re still here? Hoping for a chance like this to pop up?”
“But that’s just it,” I argue. “This isn’t a chance to further my career. He doesn't see potential in me. He sees a chance of getting himself some action. I’m sure that’s all this is. His way of trying to work his way between my legs.”
“What you’re describing wouldn’t really be that bad,” Peyton smirks. I roll my eyes.
“You know what I mean,” I say. “I don't want to get my hopes up and think this could actually go somewhere for my career and then have it fizzle into nothing.”
“But you don't know until you try. If you’re right, and this is all just to get you into bed, then you can sue him for sexual harassment and make millions anyway,” she says with a sly grin.