Page 94 of Rich and Bossy

“How is she? This has to be pretty intense for her.”

“Forget Hazel right now. What the hell has gotten into you? What the fuck was that back there?”

He shrugs. “What? Someone has to be the asshole. It’s what they expect. This is a big deal. I’m taking the heat off you.” He stares at me like I just grew three heads.

“So that was all, what? A show?”

He shakes his head. “Jesus, man. Don’t you play chess. I know you’re serious about her. I’ve never seen you like this. You even said think long term. Have you thought that about yourself?”

I’m so taken aback I don’t know what to say.

He just smirks at me, still smiling. “They’re all going to find out about her. I’ve seen the way you talk about her, the way you look at her. It’s for real. Which means at some point your relationship will be public. I’m trying to minimize the fallout from that, when it happens.”

“You’re more worried about my love life than the company?”

“No, I’m worried about both. So what I just did was the correct play.”

“You couldn’t have let me in on your little plan before blindsiding me like that, fuckhead?” I glare at him.

“No, I couldn’t. Your actions needed to look real and genuine, and you’re a fucking horrific actor. And you’re a self-righteous piece of shit who wouldn’t allow me to do it, so I did it anyway. You handled it perfectly. We’re doing the right thing. I rattled their cage. You have plausible deniability and looked like a decent, well-respected leader. Mission accomplished, if I do say so myself.” He looks very pleased.

I rub my temples, trying to get a handle on this. Finally, common sense dawns on me, and all I can do is look up at him. “Thanks, man. You really are the best friend I could ask for.”

“No shit. Now, let’s get to work. But first, answer my question.”

“How’s Hazel?” I shake my head. “I don’t know. It was all going pretty damn well last night.”

He laughs. “No shit, you two were together last night? I’m guessing she didn’t tell you about all this.”

My stare hardens. “No, she did not.”

“That chick has balls. I’m starting to like her more. I see why you fell for her. She’s devious as shit.”

“She’s not devious. She’s a good person, I just…”

“I know we both wish she would’ve told you, but you understand why she couldn’t, right?”

When I don’t respond, he just stares.

“She couldn’t man, so you need to let that go, and we’ll figure out what to do. Together, okay?”

It still feels like betrayal. I know what John’s doing, but I disagree with him. I don’t like the fact she slept with me, smiled at me all night long, knowing this was going to happen. Last night was incredible, but I don’t know. I’m so confused.

“Look, we have a lot in front of us and you need to stay focused. The task is twice as difficult now. We have to do what’s right for this place,andsave your relationship.”

“I don’t know if it’s possible. I feel like I have to choose. I don’t even know if there’s a relationship anymore, to be honest.”

“You’re fucking brilliant. We both are. We’ve always found a way.” He stares me down, looking serious, like for real serious, for the first time today. “We have to. There’s no other option here.”

“Okay.”

“Look, don’t get me wrong. I think this is a bunch of bullshit, and it’s obvious she blindsided you. But you have to figure out how to deal with that. That’s a future problem. In the meantime, we need to look like we’re stomping this thing out, so that’s what I’m doing to do. I’m going tolooklike I want this thing fucking crushed. Just let me know if I go too far.”

Sometimes, he surprises me. It shouldn’t surprise me, but it does, knowing there’s someone who cares about things the wayhe does. “Thank you.” I manage a helpless shrug. “That’s all I can think to say. Thank you.”

“It’s actually kind of fun. I haven’t felt this alive in a while. Reminds me of when I thought I might switch my major to acting for a few weeks there.”

“Because you were fucking a crazy actress.”

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