Page 27 of Sexting the Boss

Tara lets out a delighted little snort, quickly disguising it as a cough.

Brittany’s eyes flash, but she covers it up fast, giving me a tight, forced grin. “Oh, I just meant it as friendly advice,” she says smoothly. “You know, so Ryan doesn’t get in trouble for trusting the wrong person.”

Ryan winces.

And that? That pisses me off.

Because I don’t mind Brittany being a jealous little snake, but I do mind her making me look incompetent.

I look her dead in the eye. “Well, good thing Ryan’s perfectly capable of making his own decisions.”

I slump into my chair, exhaling as I reach for my phone, just out of habit—and there it is.

A new text.

Unknown Number: Took you long enough to reply, printsessa.

My lips twitch.

For the first time since this morning, my mood lifts.

I bite my lip, thumbs flying over the keyboard.

Me: Excuse me? I was having a crappy day.

His response is instant.

Unknown Number: Poor thing. Need me to make it better?

A slow, lazy warmth spreads through my chest, curling lower.

Me: Tempting, but I don’t think you can fix corporate stupidity.

Unknown Number: Try me.

I smirk at my screen, half of my stress already forgotten.

It’s ridiculous.

This is ridiculous.

I don’t even know who he is.

But something about this—about him—is exactly what I need right now.

A distraction. A reprieve from the real world, where Brittany exists and my job is exhausting and I can’t afford more than a matchbox-sized apartment.

Me: Fine. Work was annoying. People were annoying. I was unjustly blamed for something that wasn’t my fault, and I had to prove I wasn’t incompetent. So, you know. Standard Wednesday.

Unknown Number: Idiots. Should I handle them for you?

I let out a startled laugh, earning a confused glance from Ryan, who’s still at his desk.

Me: As much as I’d love to unleash you on corporate America, I don’t think HR would approve.

Unknown Number: Who said anything about HR?

My stomach flutters, but I roll my eyes, playing along.

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