Piper
His words are still ringing in my ears "I think it's best if we keep our hands off each other and act like this never happened" but my body is refusing the memo. I need to get out of here and away from him. I withdraw my hand from his back and bolt for the door. I sling the large wooden doors with all my might and don't even bother closing them. I can feel the hot tears pooling in my eyes as he calls after me "Piper" and as sweet as my name sounds on his lips, I just can't…
I round the corner by the dragon queens, I mean Clara's, desk and beeline for the elevators without looking up. I can feel her staring at me as I punch the down button for the elevator repeatedly. Why does it seem like it takes forever for the elevator when you are in a hurry? Finally, it dings and as the doors slide open, I hurry on. As I turn around to hit the button to my floor, my gaze goes to the hallway…looking for him. But my heart knows, he's not coming after me.
The elevator zips down to my floor as my brain is trying to process what the hell just happened. One minute he is all over me then the next he is saying it was a mistake. I don't understand. The elevator dings signaling I have arrived at my floor. I step off cautiously and head for the bathroom. I keep my head down hoping I don't run into anyone on the way. The need to disappear is insane at this point.
I scurry in the bathroom, run for the safety of the stall and latch the door before putting the toilet seat down and sitting. My head falls to my hands as the dam holding back my tears busts loose. I don't understand why I am so upset. We both know what that night was and it's not like I was looking for more with him. But I also didn't expect him to wind up being my boss when he took me to pound town. I thought we had a connection. I know I felt it. What a fucking mess.
I need to talk to Ang, but I don't dare call her. My luck someone would overhear. I pull out my phone and opt to text instead.
Me: 911!
Ang: What's wrong? Bad first day?
Me: It's him! Hottie is my fucking boss!!!
Ang: What in the actual hell??? Explain please!
Me: I'm sneaking out early. Meet me at home?
Ang: Yes. I will grab the tequila.
I push my phone back in my pocket and try to compose myself. My mental pep talk did little to curb the need to get out of here. This whole situation is so messed up and I need a drink, a strong one. I glance around as I step out of the stall, walk to the sink to wipe my eyes and splash my face with cold water to help make me look less like a pathetic girl that just had her first heartbreak. Luckily, it's close to quitting time and everyone is mostly gone as I tip toe back to my cubicle. I tidy up and finish saving the paperwork I had started before all hell broke loose. I grab my purse and keys to get the hell out of here.
For such a massive building, I feel like the walls are closing in on me.
~
I arrive at the apartment just in time. Ang is parking her car as I pay my taxi and head upstairs. I unlock the door and head straight for my room, in dire need of a shower. I drop my purse and keys on the bed before heading to my bathroom. I don't even bother shutting my bathroom door. I start shedding my clothes while the water is warming. Looking in the mirror, I feel disgusted with myself.
I told myself after Tristan, I would never let another man have any kind of control over me again. Yet here I am. I gave everything to Tristan and thought he was the one. I chalk it up to being naive, but the heart will see what it wants to see at all stages of life. I now know that.
Cole showed me that.
However, brief the encounter part of me wanted to believe that the universe was at work with Cole. I have never felt like that with anyone, not even Tristan. Cole brought a part of me to life that I never knew existed. I felt so safe with him, like I could be anyone I wanted to be. The way he touched me, the things he did to me…I didn't know that was all possible. I think I desperately wanted to explore that some more. And then he just slammed the door on that.
Oh God, I sound like those rom-com movies. I need to snap out of this.
I step into the shower and let the water scorch my skin. As I'm washing, I hear the door squeak. I don't even have to look up to know it's Ang. "I brought Tequila" she coos. "Want to talk".
I rinse my hair before I word vomit everything "This is a whole new level of fucked up for me Ang. Friday was amazing. Cole, his name is Cole, was amazing. I felt things I have NEVER felt before. He did things to me, I never thought were possible. And then I find out today he's my damn boss!".
Ang blows out a breath "Damnnn. We might need more Tequila".
I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around me before walking over to the counter where Ang is perched. "Yeah, and to top it off he attacks my tonsils as soon as we get back to the privacy of his office. I though maybe he felt that cosmic connection too. Then he basically says it was a mistake and for us to act like it never happened".
Ang opens her mouth, but no words are coming out and I think this may be the first time she has every been rendered speechless.
I towel dry my hair and then slip into my closet to grab my comfiest pjs before yelling at her "I need this job Ang. And I feel like I just made a colossal mistake. How do I make this work?".
Before she has a chance to respond the doorbell rings. I look up at her, fear swimming in my eyes.
She smiles "Relax, I ordered pizza".
Thank God, because I don't think I can stomach any more surprises today.
I follow her to the living room and while she is paying the delivery driver, I get cozy on the couch. I hear her shuffling around before she waltzes in with pizza in one hand and the tequila bottle in the other. I mentally thank God for sending me a friends like her. I know I depend on her way more than I should. If I wasn't such a hot mess all my life, I could return the favor.
We each grab some pizza and as she is stuffing her mouth she says "So what are you going to do? Are you going to stay there?" To be honest, the thought of quitting never crossed my mind. I need this job and the money more. The opportunities that I will have at Hart Enterprises are unparalleled to any other firms. I need to make this work and build my connections here since I relocated.
"I need to figure out how to keep my job and keep him at arm's length" I reply.
She pulls out the shot glasses and pours us each a shot "Tequila will help us solve this! It's never steered us wrong" she laughs. I crack the first smile I think I have had all day "I'm pretty sure Tequila is what got me into this mess Friday" I retort.
We both laugh.
Ang studies me for a minute and I can tell she is formulating a plan in her brain as we speak. "I say, you stay there and work it...dress sexy as fuck and show him what the hell he is missing" she laughs.
"So kill him with my curves?" I smile.