Ally gives me wide wild eyes and they walk faster out of the area.
I haven’t said a word about that Lingo scam disaster thing he pulled to her or Meryl. Ally accused me of being Iron Mountain on the bus ride over here. I told her I had a rough afternoon and begged her to drop it. She let it go at that point and I’ve been stewing in my anger, processing.
Suddenly, Mr. C is coming down the hall with Austin and Ben, the VP of Sales.
“Hey,” Austin greets with a smile. His eyes are on us, and dancing with amusement. It’s so obvious something is going on here even if we aren’t in a lip lock like when the girls were coming. Mr. C is smiling, too, but not looking at us.
I straighten up and come away from the wall and rush out ahead of them, not smiling, not anything. I rush outside to the bar.
“I’m going,” I tell Ally.
She goes wide-eyed. “I’ll come.”
“No. I need some space. I’ll text you tomorrow.”
She nods and squeezes my hand. “Text me tonight if you need to. Any time. Any time, Carly, okay?”
I grab my string backpack from the table filled with bags and coats by the bar and I rush out of there.
The place is not in a great area. It’s kind of industrial. I go to the Uber app on my phone, standing under a parking lamp. I didn’t bring a coat and it’s a bit chilly out. I reach into my bag and put my new CC pink hoodie on, on top of my blouse.
Aiden is outside with me suddenly.
“Carly.”
“No. Hell no. Fuck off, Aiden.”
He’s coming at me.
“You can’t tell your boss to fuck off,” he says, trying to be light about it, but his eyes aren’t dancing or mischievous. He looks determined.
I put my hand up. “I just did. We’re outside business hours. And the shit you just pulled, you don’t get to say that to me. Don’t step any closer. We’re done. That was bullshit. Bullshit!”
“What do you mean?”
“It was bullshit. You’re trying to fuck with me again. Don’t do that. Leave me alone. I’m going home.”
“I left the other helmet at the office. I’ll…”
“I’ll get an Uber. Go away.”
“Peaches… go back in and have a drink. I’ll go. Then you can catch one of the cabs. They have ten cabs comin’ at midnight.”
I don’t have enough money in my account for an Uber. Maybe I’ll look up a taxi company number and use the gift card.
Or, if he’s going, maybe I can just go back inside. It’s almost 11:30.
“Fine.” I stomp back toward the building, but then he catches me by the elbow and stops me.
He’s looking down into my eyes.
I try to pull away.
“Carly,” he orders.
I look up.
“Go, have a drink, then meet me at home. Cool off. We’ll talk.”