Page 53 of Inflame

“Wait. Back up. Bidding wars? Why was I not privy to this information? Wouldn’t I be able to see who was fighting over me?”

“Whoever bids the highest shows up on the employee end. So, you would have the choice to either accept or reject.”

“Interesting. Had no idea. I was just using the agency for fun and restocking my petty cash fund. How would anyone know to request me if my profile is suspended?”

“Repeat customers. Word of mouth?”

I nod. I miss the easy money for going out and having fun. Ethan was a paying customer in the beginning, but when it became “more” we stopped the money transaction. It just felt weird. Dirty.

I think about my relationship with Ethan. He basically is still doing money transactions with me but under the umbrella heading of “allowance” and for much less than what I would be earning if I was still employed at Entice.

“I guess once I can no longer be on leave, I will have to officially resign.” Right now everything in my contract is paused.

“Why are you even a ghost in the database?”

“Insurance purposes. The chance of locking in a referral bonus. I don’t know. Ethan thought it was the logical next step.”

Nic does a firm nod. It is almost mechanical. “We better go find Graham and Angie before they wonder where we are. Did you take your medicine I left you?”

“Yes, and thank you. I hate getting sick, and I despise throwing up.”

We make our way down the elevator and find Angie and Graham in a cute boutique on the main floor.

“Sorry we took so long. Got wrapped up in solidifying plans,” I fib. I can feel Nic’s eyes on the side of my head. He needs to find something else more interesting than watching my reactions all the time. It is making me super self-conscious.

“No worries, we were just browsing,” Angie says, clapping her hands once. “I’m so excited for today, and I don’t even know what we’re doing.”

“You’re about to find out,” Nic says, pointing toward the exit. “Our ride is here to take us to ourotherride.”

I look out the glass doors and see a black stretch limo at the curb. We walk out and are greeted by our driver, who is a middle-aged man dressed impeccably in a solid black suit. The backseat is spacious, and we could easily fit more people comfortably if we wanted. Orange juice is poured into glasses and topped with champagne to create mimosas—except for mine.

Pouting my lips, I feel Nic’s body lean into me. “It’s not good to mix medication and alcohol.”

“Fine,” I grumble, accepting the pastry he keeps pushing into my lap. I take a bite of it and force my lips to smile.

“Cheers to Graham and Angie,” I toast, clinking glasses with everyone.

“Cheers,” everyone says in unison.

15

NIC

It takes fifteen minutes to pull into the parking lot at Elite Sky Tours.

“Are we skydiving?” Claire asks excitedly, looking at the icons on the sign.

She is fearless. Brave.

“Ha, maybe another time, sure. I’d be game, but today I thought we would all go on a helicopter tour of Vegas and the Grand Canyon.”

Angie smiles ear to ear. “I’ve never been on a helicopter before.”

“Me either,” Claire adds. She can’t stop looking out the window at the choppers lined up beside small planes and gliders.

I love seeing her excitement. It is obvious that she enjoys surprises, whereas I prefer predictability.

The driver pulls us up to the front of the building. We exit and meet our tour guide.

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