Page 84 of Pucking my Enemy Boss

“Yes, maybe … minimalist?” I manage, pretending I haven’t missed the last ten minutes of discussion. Minimalist sounds right, like clean, clear, honest. Oh, the irony.

It doesn’t take long for Lauren to pick up on my zoned-out gaze. She nudges Mia, who lets out an exaggerated sigh.

“Maybe we should take a break?” Lauren says, a too-casual look on her face. My excuse evaporates on my tongue. I’m about to argue, but before I can form a sentence, Lauren’s pulling me away from the decorator, shooing him off with a polite “We’ll let you know” that he thankfully doesn’t question.

As soon as the decorator gathers his bag and papers, waving a flamboyant goodbye, she shuts the door and raises an eyebrow at me.

“Holly, you look like you’re ready to pass out right here on the tinsel. I had to play interpreter for a solid hour in there.”

“I’m sorry—” There’s no escaping. She’s already eyeing me with that annoyingly perceptive look of hers, and Mia is watching carefully.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Holly, are you thinking abouthim and that womanagain?” Lauren rolls her eyes. “I thought you’d have asked him and all this would be over now.”

“I couldn’t.”

“What’s going on?” Mia asks with eyes narrowing.

Lauren shakes her head. “Let’s talk about it at the sushi place next door. I don’t think she’s eaten.”

Before I know it, we’re packed into Mia’s car and headed toward lunch, the ride filled with an uneasy silence.

The restaurant’s cozy, dimly lit, and brimming with the scent of gingerbread and miso. A cheery Christmas mash-up plays softly in the background and as we settle into a booth, an array of tuna rolls and spicy salmon rolls on their way.

Mia’s gaze is still questioning so I sigh. “Fine,” I mumble, tracing circles on the table. “I saw Ethan the other day … with this woman. And he never mentioned it.”

Mia and Lauren’s brows shoot up in unison, and Lauren goes from concerned to appraising in a flash. “Wait,whowas this woman?”

“Not a clue,” I say, feeling slightly queasy. “Tall, glossy hair, red lipstick. She looked like she just walked off the set of a perfume ad.”

“Oh, that kind of mysterious. Does he know you saw him?” Mia adds, popping a piece of tuna roll into her mouth.

I shake my head, still lost in thought. Just as a spicy salmon roll hits my mouth, the smell suddenly turns sour. My stomach rebels and everything spins. Oh no.

It’s a betrayal, really. I love sushi. But this—thisis the kind of nausea that no ginger tea can cure.

“Be right back.” The panicked squeak barely gets out of me. Bolting up, I barely make it to the bathroom in time.

Once the sushi-induced queasiness is dealt with, I return, forcing a strained smile as I slide back into my seat. Lauren’s eyes are wide, worry already carving little lines around her mouth. “Are you okay?” she asks, the words slower, as if talking to a wild animal. “This is, like, the third time you’ve been sick this week.”

“I’m fine.” The lie sounds weak even to me. “Maybe just stressed?”

“This is more than stress.” Lauren’s face softens, her usual sass turning to concern. “Holly, are you sure you’re okay?”

“No need to worry. Just some nausea.” I brush off their questions, but Lauren’s eyebrow only arches higher.

“You need rest.” Mia leans back, crossing her arms. “Look, Holly, you’re looking terrible, and no amount of good rating is worth you collapsing.”

“I know,” I sigh. “But the gala’s coming up, and I can’t just bail. Besides, I’m fine.”Except I’m not, not by a long shot.

Mia nods. “So, he hasn’t told you who she is?”

“I haven’t asked him.”

Lauren shakes her head and lets out a disappointed sigh. “C’mon girl. This kind of suspense isn’t good for you.”

“Maybe she’s just a friend?” Mia suggests, her face twisted into an expression that clearly doesn’t believe her own words.

“A friend he conveniently failed to mention? Yeah, right,” I reply, frustration seeping through. “And now … Ugh, I’m just tired ofnotknowing what’s going on.”

---