Page 21 of Why Not Both?

“I didn’t stay here.” She’s still not looking at me.

“So where did you stay, Vic?” I ask, dread coiling in my gut.

“None of your fucking business, Spencer,” she responds.

“Noooo. Vic. You promised. We made a list. Do I have to get the list?” I turn my head toward the door. “Derek, Adalie, get in here and bring the list,” I shout.

“Fuck you, Spencer,” Vic says.

But it’s too late. Derek comes into her office and slaps the paper onto her desk. “I keep a copy printed out. Just in case.”

Adalie follows him in with a sympathetic look on her face.

“Fifteen reasons not to call Emily,” I say, pointing at the list. “Do we need to read them out loud?”

“No, we do not need to read them out loud. And I didn’t call her. She called me.”

I drop my head into my hands. “That doesn’t make it better, Vic. Has she called or texted since?”

Vic’s silence is answer enough.

“You know she’s a bitch. You know she takes advantage of you. Don’t let her do this to you,” I plead.

“You’re only saying this because you hate her.”

“I only hate her because of how she treats you. If she made you happy, I would be on board. One hundred per cent. But she doesn’t. She calls you in the middle of the night and you go to her and then you feel awful for days because she doesn’t call again, and she leaves your messages on read.”

“That’s number three,” Adalie says, pointing to the list.

“You deserve better than her,” I say.

“That’s number one,” Derek says helpfully.

There’s a soft knock on the door and we all turn to see Lis standing just outside, looking confused and worried.

“Was there a staff meeting I didn’t know about?” she asks.

“This isn’t a staff meeting,” Vic says, standing. “This is three assholes not knowing when to mind their own business. And if you three don’t want to get fired, you’ll get out of my office and go do your fucking jobs.”

I stand and catch Vic’s eyes. “I’ve got your back, no matter what.”

I hold out my hand, pinkie raised. She sighs, rolling her eyes, and links hers through mine. “Even when I fuck up.” Then she sits and pulls the list toward her.

Derek and Adalie file out of the office. I head out as well, feeling like the asshole she called me. So I turn before I’m out the door.

“Whatever you decide to do—”

“I know,” she says, cutting me off. “Now get out of here and do some real work.”

Lis follows me into my office, concern on her face. “Should I ask what that was about?”

“Probably not. Stick around long enough, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. But it’s not something I should share, I think.” I sit at my desk and look up. “Did you need something?”

“I was going to ask if you guys wanted to try some of the things I made before we really get started on the menu for lunch.”

I grin at her. “Why didn’t you say so?” I pull out my phone and send a message to the team. Then I look up at her, realizing something. “You’re not on the group chat,” I say, looking down at my phone and making a couple quick updates. “There. Now you can text us any time you want someone to taste something.”

I hadn’t meant that the way it sounded. But fuck it if I don’t enjoy the pink flush on her cheeks. I stand and follow her to her kitchen where the rest of the team meet us in a few minutes and we all get to taste the menu. It’s fucking delicious.

---