Page 74 of Rich and Bossy

How am I supposed to explain this to Campbell? She’s going to bail. She had to have recognized him. I don’t think he knew who she was, though. He called her my friend. At least he hasn’t figured out what we’re up to. There’s no damn way he’d be here, saying the things he said, right?

Maybe he really likes you and just doesn’t care.

That can’t be true. You? More important to him than his business empire?

Why the hell did I agree to go on a date with him? Do I have to do it? Even though I told him yes?

What am I supposed to say to Campbell when I go inside? And I have to go in soon, or I may become hypothermic. The Charger lights come on and cast long shadows off the trees that dance all over. It rumbles to life and slowly pulls down the street, and eerily enough, I can still feel Paxton’s eyes on me as he leaves. The Charger is still loud, even when it’s over a block away and turning out of the neighborhood.

It’s like I can still feel it in my chest.

God, I love that car.

Paxton pulls away, the taillights fading into the night, but I’m still standing here, with my back to the house and my eyes focused on the street. I can feel Campbell and my mom watching me, the way I’m sure they watched everything else play out. I can imagine what they must be thinking. Campbell’s going to pack up and leave. No doubt about that.

My stomach is in a literal knot. I knew there’d be consequences to what I’ve done with him. They just always felt so far away, down the road, and now they’re right in front of me, staring me down.

I’m a grown adult. I can get through this. And that’s what I keep telling myself as I walk back through the door and slip off my coat. Like it’s a bad thing to talk to Paxton?

It kind of is.

I expect Campbell to be packing up her suitcase, but instead she’s just standing there, kind of awestruck.

“What washedoing here?” There’s no anger in her voice. More like amusement and excitement, curiousness.

It takes me by surprise. That’s why I can’t find my voice right away.

So she keeps going. “Was he intimidating you?” She reaches out for one of my arms. “Because we can use that. We have it documented on your camera.” With every word, she gets more excited, more animated.

“We need to have a conversation.” I take a seat at the dining table, noting the fact that my mom has made herself scarce.

I hear a light commotion off in the house and Dad’s voice saying something to her.

He must’ve come in through the back door. I have no doubt they’ll pepper me with questions the second Campbell’s back at her hotel. No doubt Dad recognized Paxton when he wandered in and walked over to see what Mom and Campbell were doing. Even if they didn’t recognize him, Campbell probably told them who he is.

“I’m confused. This is perfect for us, I mean, as long as you’re okay.” Campbell sits across from me, arms folded on top of the table. “Why else would he be here?”

“You couldn’t hear our conversation?”

She snickers. “No. We tried, trust me.” She laughs. “But the camera couldn’t pick it up out in the yard. I hope you don’t think we were spying, we just…” She sighs. “We thought he was bullying you and wanted to have the audio recorded.”

God, I want to bury my face into my hands. None of this was supposed to ever happen. I have to tell her the truth. There’s no way around this, so why is it so damn hard to do?

“You’re going to regret coming here once you hear this, but I need to tell you something.” I slide down a little in my chair.

“Why would I regret coming?” Her voice tightens a little.

Might as well rip this band-aid off quickly. “I’m kind of dating him, I think.” I scrunch my nose up and squint likeI’m not really sure what’s happening with us, but it’s something. “I still can’t figure out exactly how it happened.”

She sits back in the chair, and I wish I knew her well enough to read her expression. Does she hate me? I wouldn’t blame her, not even close, but I can’t pretend it wouldn’t crush me. I’ve never been the kind of person who can’t handle other’sdisapproval, and the stakes have never been higher. I’ve never craved another human being’s respect the way I do hers.

“I’m sorry.” I cringe a little. “I hope you don’t hate me.”

That’s what stirs her out of her thoughtful state. Instead of looking down at her folded hands, her eyes snap up to meet mine. “What? Why would I hate you?”

“Well, I just kinda told you I’m dating the CEO of the company we’re trying to form a union at. Seems like that’s at odds with our goals.”

She shakes her head gently, and the sight of her smile goes a long way toward easing the weight on my shoulders. “If I hated you for that, I’d be the world’s biggest hypocrite. It just took me by surprise.”

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