Page 104 of Pretend Girlfriend

“No,” Landon replied, though he was still looking at me. “But they instituted a hiring freeze.”

Oh.

Oh no.

42

Joanna

“What’s a hiring freeze?” I demanded. “What does this mean?”

“We had one at my company a few years ago!” Marisa chimed in, way too cheerfully. “I think it only lasted a year.”

“A YEAR?” I exclaimed.

“Why are you upset about Landon’s company?” Marisa asked.

“They don’t issue hiring freezes lightly,” Landon told me. “We’ve had two since I started working at DefTec, and both lasted at least six months.”

“But the position with Phil was already posted. I submitted my resume.”

Landon shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. This came down from HR.”

Six months. Maybe more. The job that I thought I was guaranteed to get was no longer an option. And I was unemployed.

“It’s going to be okay,” Marisa said, gently rubbing my shoulder. “Landon’s job is probably safe. Right, Landon?”

“I was going to get her a job at DefTec,” Landon explained. “But now…”

“Oh.” Marisa seemed to understand the circumstances, now. “Well, that’s okay! Your mom said she is already working on getting Joanna a job with a judge. That’s way better than your silly company. Everything will be okay, Joanna. You’ll see!”

Except Danicka would nix that when Landon and I broke up. Hell, based on the amount of influence she’d hinted at, she could probably get me removed even if I started a clerkship before Landon and I broke up.

Marisa’s cheerful attitude was rubbing my last nerve, so I gathered my things and excused myself. The last thing I saw was Landon’s concerned expression as he watched me go.

I wanted to skip dinner that night, but I had to make an appearance after missing it the night before. Danicka went on and on about the judges she had contacted, and how they would trust her recommendation and make room for me. I smiled and nodded, but internally I was boiling with frustration.

I shouldn’t have quit my job until I had a new one lined up.

Coming to Jamaica was a mistake. I could have gone to my boss and groveled for my job, blaming my drunk phone call the night of the wedding on the alcohol.

I should have tried.

Once dinner was over, my frustration had burned out and I was left with only despair. The only silver lining was that everything at the resort was included; I didn’t need to spend any money from my now-precious bank account. I went to the poolside bar and started pounding drinks like it was my job.

But alcohol wasn’t the only thing I wanted to lean on tonight.

Me: I want to do the sex with you tonight. With your penis.

Theo: LOL, have we been drinking?

Me: Yes, we have. Because drinking is good and not-drinking isn’t good.

Me: So, sex? When is the sex?

Theo: Let me see if I can ditch these guys.

Me: Sorry, the correct answer was: ‘right now.’

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