Page 3 of Wolf.e

My eyes snap back to my greasy superior. His combover is extra mussy today and his polyester shirt—covered in cat hair—is more wrinkled than usual. I’ve always been taught not to judge someone on appearance, but his is accurate. He works like he dresses—messy and unorganized.

“Brinley,” I say, reminding Paul that doll is not my name.

Keep quiet and be polite, would be what my mother would say. She’d tell me not to burn any bridges, but that doesn’t really matter now. What difference does it make if I let him know how disgusting I think he is? I’m officially unemployed, effective today at noon.

“Right, sorry I forgot how touchy you are,” he raises his hands in truce.

I’m not touchy, you prick. I just don’t enjoy you looking at me like I’m dessert every damn day.

“You’ll get a severance, six weeks’ pay in full, from corporate, and the four weeks’ vacation you haven’t taken.” He pushes his glasses up on his nose. “Look, I’ve always been fond of you, Brinley.”

I don’t miss the way he emphasizes my name just to prove he thinks I’m touchy. My eyes meet his and I feel like I might vomit. A sixth sense tells me he thinks of me in very inappropriate ways.

“I’d be happy to write you a good reference. We could go for drinks and talk about what you’d like me to put in the letter?” He continues opening his remaining mail like the way he’s speaking to me isn’t highly unprofessional.

My position of assistant design director paid me peanuts. So, what I’m hearing is, if I play my cards right, and let this man openly stare at my breasts and split a dinner bill at some shitty diner, I’ll get the reference I already deserve?

I smile sweetly and fold my hands in my lap, resisting the urge to stab him with his letter opener, and be courteous, the way I’ve always been taught.

“Oh, Paul, I’m not going out for anything with you, but I’ll take the reference anyway because you owe me that after putting up with you leering at me for three years. I know Brenda wouldn’t want to hear how often I catch you doing that.” I mention his wife as I stand and hope he doesn’t notice I’m shaking like a leaf.

“Thank you for the opportunity, can't say it’s been enjoyable,” I hold in my need to tell him what a disgusting pig he is. I cock my head and smile bigger, my mother Wendy Beaumont’s type of smile that says he’s less than. “I’ll expect that reference letter before I leave, or my first stop tomorrow morning will be HR.”

My former boss doesn’t speak, only leans forward, like he’s trying to decide if I’m bluffing. The buttons on his shirt strain under the pressure of his beer gut.

“Good luck to you, Brinley. I’ll have the letter to you by noon,” he says meekly.

Wow, acting like my mother really works.

I nod and turn, feeling proud of myself for standing up to Paul as I round the corner to my tiny office down the hall. Normally, I wouldn’t even correct my Starbucks order if it were wrong, I’d just smile and say thank you before dumping it in the trash. A side effect from years of being told that it’s proper to be seen and not heard.

My phone buzzes in my pocket as I shut the door behind me.

EV

Stopping for a haircut after work, I’ll meet you at home by six. Can’t wait to share tonight with you, make sure you’re ready babe, I have reservations.

Evan has had this night with me planned for a week and he’s being so secretive about it. It leads me to believe he might finally be proposing. After two years together, I feel like it’s the next step and I’ve been hinting at it for six months. I’ve tried not to push him but ever since my mother died, I have been feeling a little disjointed, like I just don’t really belong anywhere or to anyone. Having a husband like Evan, maybe starting a family, exactly what my mother always wanted, will help me feel like maybe I’m on the right path, one she and my father would’ve been proud of.

Thing is, I know he’s been struggling to get through his final year of law school and all he wants to do is get it done and please his own parents.

I sigh, wanting to be honest and tell him I just lost my job, but instead I make the instant decision to wait. After the day I’m having, I seriously need something good to come from today.

I’ll be ready. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?

EV

Nope. But be ready for a life changing night. *wink face*

I lean back against my office door and stare out my window at the brick wall of the building next door. Taking a deep breath, I try to stay calm.

This morning sucks, but it’s only the morning.

Maybe tonight will make up for it.

Evan squeezes my hand in the back of the limo, the same familiar comfort he always offers washes over me.

“You look lovely,” he says, taking in the way I have my long black hair sculpted into a high twist. I left some pieces out and curled them into loose waves just the way he likes and I’m wearing his favorite dress. It's not mine but he likes the structured, navy A-line that falls slightly off the shoulders and accentuates my pale skin. He says it’s pretty but leaves something to the imagination.

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