Page 13 of Jilted

“It’s the internet. Nothing is ever really gone!”

“We can at least limit the damage. It will look better if we get sued.”

My eyes grew wide. “Sued! Oh my God. You think the woman is going to sue us?”

“Damn…” Elijah said as he pressed buttons on my phone. “This thing has eight hundred thousand likes. Do you usually get that many?”

“No!”

“Oh.” He frowned. “Sorry. Maybe no one’s noticed.”

“Why do you think it has eight hundred thousand likes? I haven’t been able to get more than ten thousand the last few months. My stats have been awful since I lost my mojo.”

“I didn’t meanno one, no one.I meant Bill or Hayes.”

“Then why are they on their way down here?” I yelled. “The CEO doesn’t stop by to chitchat with me on Monday mornings!”

“Well, at least there’s one good thing.”

“What could possibly be good right now?”

“You’re not going to have to wait long to find out.” Elijah lifted his chin toward the hall. “Because here they come now…”

“Fuck.” I opened my desk drawer and tossed my phone inside, as if hiding it would help.

Bill, the managing editor ofBridemagazine, knocked and peeked his head in the door. I forced a smile and waved him in. “Hey, Bill.”

“Morning, Sloane.” He entered and stepped aside for the gentleman behind him—the one in the expensive three-piece suit. “Have you met Mr. Hayes yet?”

I shook my head. “No, I haven’t had the pleasure.”

“Ted Hayes.” The CEO stepped forward, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you, Sloane.”

This guy is polite when he fires someone.We exchanged a firm handshake, and I stayed standing after.

Elijah excused himself, slinking out as fast as he could. Over his shoulder, he gave me a look that saidSorry I didn’t stay and join you in front of the firing squad.

Yeah. Thanks for the support, buddy.

“So how was the wedding this weekend? How was Piper?” Mr. Hayes asked.

“Oh, it was very nice. The bride was, uh, sweet.”

Mr. Hayes busted out laughing. “Really? Because she’s usually a spoiled brat. Or maybe you’re just being kind because you know I’m friends with her parents?”

I smiled. “The wedding venue was lovely.”

He nodded. “That’s more like it. And my son? I hope he was hospitable?”

I hadn’t gotten to talk to him aside from the introductions, because I’d stupidly been preoccupied with a certain blue-eyed jackass. So I gave a generic answer.

“Yes, Ted was very nice. I can see the resemblance.”

Mr. Hayes snickered. “He’s usually a bigger ass than Piper, especially when he’s around all those douchebags from Harvard. Went to state school myself, got a fine education. But you know how it goes. You do for your kids—and make them into the very people we thought were assholes growing up.”

I liked this guy. “I went to state school, too.”

He nodded. “Anyway, Bill here tells me the social media posts from the wedding are blowing up.”

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