Page 92 of Crazy for this Girl

“He’s just been overwhelmed with the CEO coming to town,” I defend. “Other than that, he’s been really good to me. He took a huge chance on me even, remember? That’s how we met. I knew nothing about this business. And, to top it all off, I’ve never been anyone’s assistant before.”

Khloe twists her long brown hair and tosses it over her shoulder. This is where she gets serious. “Laynee, it’s the beginning of the end. You’ve been working with him for five months, and now his true colors are coming out. Get out now before it’s too late.”

“Wasn’t it you that went over that contract with me that I signed? The two-year one, where I get a six-figure salary, signed an NDA to keep my trap shut, and work my ass off for one of the top hotel chains in the country?”

She snaps her pink-painted fingers and allows her spine to hit the back of her chair. “That was before he flipped his shit.”

“Khloe…my life isn’t in jeopardy yet. I’m not about to have a nervous breakdown because Elliot’s been on edge. I can handle him. I handle my mom, for God’s sake.”

She leans over our table and centers her mocha-brown focus on me. That means she has a bad idea cooking up in her pretty little head. “Listen…I dated this lawyer once.”

I chuckle. “The one from five years ago?”

“We still keep in touch.”

“For booty calls.” I wave a hand in the air because I’m not worried about what she is. I’ve had more bad jobs than the normal American, and I think I can catch all the red flags before shit gets bad. “I’m good. Everything is fine. See me”—I point at my chest—“I’m not freaking out. Now, bring my mom here, and I’ll really freak the hell out.”

Khloe makes a face, already hearing, experiencing, and fully aware of what is known as my mother. “She still on the kick about you coming home?”

“Yeah, and she was the one that once upon a time wanted to send me to Chicago. She got her wish.”

“Just block her.”

I shake my head. “Not really looking to give my dad a headache when she bitches about it.”

“She probably already is since you won’t respond back to any of her text messages or calls. Thankfully, your Aunt Sharon is bomb.”

“Who knew? She’s the exact opposite, so it’s probably why we get along so well. I just wish she’d step out of the early ’90s and get that website up and running that I’ve been talking about for her flower shop. She’s losing business.”

Khloe shoves another fry between her rosebud lips. “I went to school for marketing. I can make some spreadsheets and show her the money she’s missing.”

“Really?” Another fry goes into her mayo, and I inwardly cringe, followed by my stomach twisting in knots of revulsion. “Will you please stop doing that?”

Khloe slows her chewing, then must remember how much I loathe the condiment because she gives me a sheepish grin. “Sorry, my bad. But, uh…yeah, I can do those spreadsheets. When are you going over there to help or see her?”

“Wednesday. Elliott will be in meetings all day, and I told him I had to extend my lunch. Sharon has a big wedding coming up that she needs help arranging the centerpieces for.”

“I’m surprised she wants your help with anything plant-related,” Khloe drones on. “You couldn’t even keep the plant I bought you for our friendiversary alive.”

I scoff. “It was half-dead already because someone didn’t give it to me until a week after they bought it, while not watering it. And besides, I won’t be growing them. Just arranging.”

“Are you sure?”

“That’s what the job description said when she called me up this morning.”

“Lay, I love you. But you can barely wrap Christmas gifts.”

I roll my eyes and look heavenward. “Oh my Godddd, it was one time and I drank way too much wine from the night before.”

We both laugh as the waiter brings us the bill, and I snatch it before Khloe can grab it.

“Hey,” she argues. “I got this one.”

“I make more mulah,” I jeer with a bat of my eyelashes. “You know with the job you’re trying to get me to quit.”

Khloe smiles. “You’re lucky you’re pretty.”

“You should’ve said that to my last date. He thought I would’ve made a better redhead and said my eyes were too big.”

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