Page 101 of February

“Ido, and they shouldn’t. They can think of it as your confidence, but you need to walk into that office and tell them what they need to hear, Bridge. They need you to step up now and save this company.”

“It would be easier for them just to–”

Monica connected their lips before she could finish her sentence, but Bridgette really didn’t mind. Monica’s lips could be on hers whenever she wanted, for all Bridgette cared. She held Monica closer as they kissed, and her mind calmed. No longer was she thinking about her parents’ company but of how good it felt to kiss Monica and how they could stay in bed all day today, exploring one another for the first time.

“We could call in sick,” she suggested when Monica pulled back for a second.

“No, we can’t,” Monica replied before she pecked her lips again. “Now, get in the shower. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Really? That sounds like the best way to start the day. But you can be in front of me, too.”

“Sexy swagger,” Monica said as she climbed off of her.

???

Bridgette pushed at the outer office door and rounded the corner with Monica on her heels.

“Mom, Dad, conference room. Now.”

“Uh…” Dan looked up at her. “They’re not here.”

“Oh,” she let out. “Damn. I thought that was good.”

Monica chuckled and said, “Very assertive.”

“Shut up.” Bridgette smiled at her.

Then, she saw the office door open behind her, and her parents walked through it.

“Mom, Dad, conference room.”

Monica winked at her and moved aside.

“Good morning, honey. What did you say?” her mom asked.

“Conference room. I need to talk to you both.”

“We need to talk to you, too. Let’s go into the office,” her dad said.

“Nope. Conference room,” she stated, and not waiting for a response, she carried her bag into the room, dropped it onto the table, and stood there, waiting for them.

“This is Monica’s office while she’s here. We–”

“It’s fine. I’ll sit at Bridgette’s desk for now,” Monica interrupted.

“Okay. Well, let’s go into the conference room,” Bridgette’s dad said.

Her parents took their time dropping their things off in the office, which meant Bridgette was starting to lose her nerve. She’d been working out what to say and building her confidence the whole way into the office, but with every second her parents wasted, she felt herself losing it. She looked out at Monica, who smiled at her and mouthed, ‘You’ve got this,’ at her. Bridgette wasn’t completely sure about that, but she’d try.

“Honey, we need to–” her dad started.

“No, please, let me go first. I need to get this off my chest,” she interrupted. “Sit.”

Her parents turned toward each other, looking confused, but then they sat down anyway.

“I know you called Arnette.”

“You know? How?”

---