Page 87 of Don't Quit the Day Job

"You liked him, right?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I know we don't know each other super well, but I could tell that you thought he was cute and he thought you were cute, and I almost thought that you guys hooked up, but then he hasn't been in the office in so long I just figured I imagined it."

"We did hook up," I admit, my voice barely more than a whisper. I don't care who knows. He's a dog and he deserves to be treated as such by me and my friends.

"You hooked up with him? Holy shit. No way."

"It was pretty amazing," I say. "And I kind of thought he liked me and then he just disappeared, but maybe that's when he found out. Maybe that's why he hasn't been in the office. Shit, maybe that's why he messaged me that day asking if I was on birth control."

"You guys did it with no protection?" I blush at the gentle admonition in her tone.

"I was caught up in the moment, and I know it wasn't my smartest decision, but I am on birth control, so it doesn’t matter that much."

"Wow. Do you think that he was nervous he might have two women pregnant at the same time? Holy bananas. Could you imagine? He'd be on Jerry Springer if Jerry Springer was still around.

"I don't even want to think about it." I groan. "Maybe he's just trying to be a standup guy, and that's why he’s gone back to her," I ponder out loud. "Maybe he wants to be there for his kid." I bite down on my lower lip. "I don't even know what to think. Oh my gosh. I can't work for him if he's going to be getting married and having a kid with someone else. I'll just feel disgusting, but I need the money."

"Well, I hate to bring this up now, but you can make $1,500 on Saturday if you dance at this party with me."

"Fine, I'll do it," I say. "Just send me over the information."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. You said it was fun, and, well, I need more experience dancing anyway. What if I get an audition to play like a stripper or something?"

"Yeah, this way you'll ace that audition." She giggles. "I mean, not that you want to play a stripper."

"I mean, it's not like I have many options right now," I say and let out a deep sigh. "Oh, Skye, what am I going to do?"

"I don't know. I'm sorry. It sucks when they're so good looking but also so obnoxious."

"Wait a second…" I say.

"What do you mean? What?" she asks innocently.

"How's it going with you and Kingston?"

"Girl, I cannot stand his ass. He is one of the most annoying men I've ever met in my life."

"Oh, no. I didn't realize it was going that poorly."

"Yep," she says, sighing.

"If I could quit right now, I would."

"Oh shit. It's that bad?"

"Maybe even worse than that. He thinks he's God's gift to women. You won't even believe what he said to me the other day."

"Oh, what did he say to you?"

"Well, I was about to head to lunch—" My phone beeps and I see that it's Max.

"Hey, I hate to cut you off, Skye, but Max is calling me. Can I call you back in a little bit?"

"Of course. In fact, you want to grab a drink?"

---