“All right, so the promotion is good. What else happened?”
“I slept with my boss,” I spit out, knowing he can’t help if I don’t come clean.
He blows out a harsh breath. “That’s not healthy, Bailey. Addictions come in different forms.”
“I know, Jeff, and I’ve been handling things. I know it’s not the preferred way, but it’s the only way that works for me,” I say defensively. “I haven’t slept with anyone since I stopped taking the pills.”
“If you feel like this is different, why are you calling me?”
“I bumped into Jet.”
“Bailey, don’t let your past control you. You’ve done so well. I’m proud of you.”
His scripted reply makes me cringe. “I know all of this, Jeff. What should I do?”
He sighs. “First things first, prioritize you. You need this job, right?”
“Yeah,” I admit.
“Then don’t let one mistake take that away from you. You set boundaries, and if your boss can’t honor them, you find another job.”
“He might allow me to keep working at the club so I’m not working one on one with him.”
He sighs. “You haven’t been sober long enough for that. Two years might seem like a long time, but if you’re constantly tempted with issues, you could fall backward. Baby steps, Bailey.”
He’s right, and I know it. “You’re right. I won’t go backward.”
“Remember, you can do this,” he coaches.
“Thank you. I’m going to let you get back to sleep. I’m sorry for waking you again.”
“I’m always here for you. Remember that.”
“I will. Thanks again. Good night,” I say as I hang up the phone. I finally let out the breath I was holding, and my shoulders slouch forward as the feeling of dread passes. Tomorrow, I will set boundaries.
No more temptation.
No more Drew.
Once I get back home, I throw myself into bed, hoping to forget the events of tonight. Sleep comes easier than I thought it would.
26
Bailey
I wake the next morning with a new resolve. No more distractions. This job is my lifeline, and I can’t allow anything to get in my way. After bailing on work last night, I’m sure some groveling will need to take place. I’m prepared.
Calling isn’t the mature way to handle this, and I don’t want to be unprofessional. I need to face Drew and secure my position as the project manager. It’s time we discuss business.
I walk in and square my shoulders. Standing extra tall, I see Drew standing by the bar in front of the register. Does this man ever look bad? Focus, Bailey.
“Drew, can we talk?”
He looks up and nods toward his office upstairs. Without another word, I take off with him following close. When the door shuts, he doesn’t make a move to come near me, and I appreciate it.
“About yesterday . . .” I pause for him to interrupt or say something, but he doesn’t. He waits for me to continue. “What happened between us shouldn’t have. I’m not blaming you because I wanted it, but I really need this job. I can’t have sex getting in the way of that.”
He purses his lips but remains quiet.
“I left because I didn’t know how to handle what we’d just done. I was embarrassed. I felt . . . cheap.”
He blanches as he pops one fist on his hip and runs his other hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Bailey. I never wanted to make you feel cheap.”
“It wasn’t you. It was the way I acted. It . . . it reminded me of my past,” I admit, lowering my gaze to the floor.
He takes a step toward me, and I take a step back. He grits his teeth. “I don’t know who’s hurt you in your past, but I’m not them, Bailey. What happened here yesterday was two consenting adults. Nothing cheap about it.”
“Like I said, it wasn’t you who made me feel that way,” I say, getting flustered. “But that’s beside the point. What matters here is that we need to be professional moving forward. I need this job.”
“And as I said, I didn’t offer you the job with any expectations of sex. I’m not going to lie and say I don’t want it to happen again, Bailey. But I understand where you’re coming from. You want professional? I’ll treat you like every other girl who works for Silver.”
I wince at his harsh tone. If he’s going to go from hot to cold over my insistence of professionalism, then how the hell is this going to work?
His hard stare evaporates, and he rubs at his temples. “The job is still yours. What happened yesterday doesn’t impact that at all. If you want a strictly business relationship, I’ll respect that.”
My shoulders relax at those words. “Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity, and I just don’t want to do anything to make you change your mind.”
“Do a good job, and you have nothing to worry about,” he says.