Page 39 of Unbossly Manners

I emailed Analise—she was in a meeting—with everything I found and suggested changing the passwords on our accounts for the time being.

Then I hopped on TikTok and caught up on work. When I was done making notes of the videos from our accounts that were gaining traction, I took the company’s iPad and walked around the studio taking candid shots of the hosts that were in the studio working or asking employees the question of the day to post on our accounts later—the company liked behind-the-scenes action shots posted on social media to make us more relatable.

I passed by Jackson’s office, not planning to go in. The company lawyer wasn’t exactly exciting social media content.

“Peyton, come in here,” Kat said. “I have a couple of things I want to go over about the apartment. Do you mind?”

“Mom,” Evie whined, making it into two syllables as only a teenager can. “I have to pee.”

She sat on the sofa, her legs crossed tightly.

“I’ll show her where it is,” I said. “Anyone want coffee? I’ll stop by the break lounge.”

I dropped Evie at the restroom and made the coffees. I carried them on a tray back to Jackson’s office. Evie was still in the bathroom when I passed.

I screeched to a stop in the doorway, the cups clinking. Jackson and Kat were wrapped together, kissing. I slowly turned around, careful not to make any noise, a strange, icky feeling running through me.

Evie approached the doorway and I stepped forward, blocking her path.

“Wait. Don’t—” I tried to stop her, but she glanced over my shoulder.

“I’m gonna kill him.” She rolled her eyes and walked away from the office.

Back at the lounge, I slid the tray of coffees on the counter. My body felt heavy like my blood had led running through it. I’d suspected things were unsettled between Jackson and Kat but to see them intimately together… My insides twisted in confusion.

“Are you okay?” I asked, steadying my shaking hands.

She plopped into one of the hammock chairs and swung her legs.

“That must have been difficult to see,” I said gently.

She batted her hand, unconcerned. “I don’t care about that. I mean, I do. But not the kissing part. Dad needs to get over her already. He’s such a loser. Have you noticed how his eyes follow her like a puppy dog when she’s around?”

That’s not exactly how I’d describe it, but he always knew where Kat was in a room. And the look was less sad puppy dog and more heartbroken.

“What about your mom’s boyfriend?”

“My mom and he are like committed, but they’re not exclusive.”

I bent my head to the side, confused. “What does that mean?”

“They identify as poly. Not like throuples or orgies. But like, they’re boyfriend and girlfriend, but they’re not monogamous.”

I shook my head, trying to understand.

“What’s a throuple?”

“A couple but with three people,” Evie said. “Relationships aren’t what they used to be.”

I help back a smile. She was ten years younger than me, but she treated me like I was ancient.

“My mom was like that.” I eased into the swinging chair next to her. “I didn’t realize there was a name for it.”

“There’s a name for everything,” Evie said, slamming her feet down and stopping her chair. “But my dad needs to grow a pair. It wouldn’t be a big deal, but it gets my dad’s hopes up. And it’s gross.”

I hooked my arm with Evie’s and guided her back to her father’s office, relieved she wasn’t scarred by any of this. If she wasn’t bothered by it, I shouldn’t be either. That’s what I told myself but the knot in my stomach didn’t release.

“You’re pretty wise,” I told her.

---