Page 8 of Unleashed

"You’re hopeless. So, what stopped you from going out this weekend, other than being glued to your disgusting jammies?"

"The rain," I groaned. "You know I hate rain."

Erika sighed dramatically. "We’d be in and out of cabs. What’s your next excuse?"

I exhaled slowly, feeling the tension in my shoulders. "Slade said something to me. He told me men find me intimidating."

"Intimidating how?" Erika’s voice sharpened.

"He said I’m too pretty."

There was a beat of silence before she burst into laughter. "Are you serious? That’s his excuse? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Girl, you are stunning."

I rolled over and pressed my face into the pillow, mumbling into the phone. "Apparently, it’s what’s holding me back. Should I have suggested I scar myself?"

"God, men are idiots. It’s not you, Morgan. It’s them. If they can’t handle you, they’re not worth your time."

I laughed despite myself. "Maybe. But Slade isn’t wrong about one thing. Some of the guys at work are the worst."

"Oh, here we go." Erika sighed. "Spill."

I shivered at the thought of what I caught some of the men doing at work. It was gross and rude. It made me wonder how their wives put up with their antics.

"Thomas Marsden picks his nose when he thinks no one’s looking. I have to use hand sanitizer after touching any paperwork he’s handled."

"Disgusting!" she groaned. "What a pig."

"That’s just the start. Some of them burp out loud, scratch themselves, and don’t even bother to apologize. It’s like working with frat boys."

"Sounds like a toxic boy’s club. Why are you still there?"

"I don’t know." I sighed. "I’ve thought about leaving."

Oh, how I’d thought about it. With each promotion I was passed over for, I thought about leaving and what it would be like to take one of those jobs the headhunters were pestering me about. It was possible I could get a bigger office and maybe a couple of women in my department. I wasn’t sure if I would ever get my due at Abbott, even with Slade behind me.

"Then do it!" she urged. "What’s keeping you?"

I paused, staring out the window at the relentless rain. "I don’t know where I’d go."

"Anywhere, girl. You deserve better."

"I know," I murmured. "Maybe a vacation first?"

"Now you’re talking! Somewhere sunny, with cocktails and no gross men."

I smiled, imagining the escape. "Maybe I’ll go hiking. I've always wanted to do a two-week hiking trip."

"Hiking?" Erika scoffed. "Who are you, Kincaid?"

“Hey, I’m full of surprises,” I teased, propping myself up against the pillows.

“When was the last time you took a vacation?” she asked, her voice carrying that familiar blend of curiosity and disbelief.

I sighed, already knowing where this conversation was headed. “Three years ago. And I was bothered for half of it by phone calls from Abbott.” I shook my head at the memory. “Some vacation, right?”

Erika snorted. “Don’t you think it’s time for another? Summer’s coming up. Take some of that hard-earned cash and spend it on a nice oceanside vacation.”

I bit my lip, letting the idea hang in the air for a second. “I think I’d prefer hiking. I’ve always wanted to go on a two-week hiking trip.”

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