Page 67 of The Boss

No, she hasn’t told me about them yet. She’s not the kind of woman to sayI love youeven a year later. I don’t need anyone totell me that, either. I can tell after spending almost every single day with her since we first hooked up.

Other things have changed, however.

As Julianna and I grow closer, tension ripples through her executive office. While I deepen my knowledge under Vern’s mentorship, a rift erupts between Presley Bradford and the interns I used to work alongside.

When I first joined, there were ten of us—ten skilled students vying for one of the most coveted internships in Portland, possibly the entire Pacific Northwest. I barely snagged the last spot, relying on my knack for interviews and ensuring my grades and references were impeccable. Ms. Bradford herself conducted my final interview, her effortless charm putting me at ease enough to nail every question and even make her laugh.

My promotion to Julianna’s floor left a gap among the interns, though not one they couldn’t fill—I hadn’t exactly been indispensable. But now?

I walk downstairs on a bright, late spring day and find not one, but two empty desks. The other interns scramble more to cover the holes. When Vern doesn’t have a whole lot for me to do, I pop down here to help fill in. Not like I needed any training for a job I used to do anyway. Hey, I’m a boon now, because I know exactly what Ms. Marcon wants! Trust me when I say her personal instructions could be clearer and not as loaded with her jargon…

But, yes. Someone else has been fired since I was promoted.

Cher. I had no idea she was so jealous of me that she started spreading lies to Ms. Bradford, who then passed them on to my girlfriend. When I discovered she was the reason Julianna had me suddenly take a bunch of STD tests “to be on the safe side?” Even I was pretty pissed at her. I knew Cher had a volatile personality and was good at putting on a front to get positions like this, but damn! I couldn’t blame Julianna for firing her once she discovered who was behind my vicious rumors.

I didn’t like it, but I couldn’t blame her.

I don’t know what happened to Cher. I mean, one minute she was here, being a bitchy thorn in my side but otherwise harmless, and the next she was packing up her desk and calling me a skank-ass-ho on her way out the door. None of the other interns know what happened to her, either. She goes to a different school from me, so I don’t see her around my campus.

Days like today make it hard to come downstairs and see the empty desk by the window. Cher always brought life to the office with her vibrant designer outfits, bold earrings that danced as she moved, and rainbow-colored heels that announced her arrival with every confident step. Compared to her, the other interns fade into a dull backdrop—a monotonous sea of black, navy, gray, beige, and white. Their personalities likewise lack the same spark she brought to the room.

Who knew I’d miss her crazy ass? I actually felt sorry for her. Because for a while, I thought she was jealous of me sleeping with Julianna. Turned out she crushed on Ms. Bradley!

“I heard something about you guys needing an extra hand?” I say to Lizzie, one of the remaining interns. She drops her phone when I address her.

“Yeah, we're working on the new tech manual that's going out in a few days—it's all hands on deck,” she says, gesturing to the mess of papers spread across her desk. Highlighters and Post-Its are scattered everywhere, though it's clear Lizzie's been deep into her Candy Crush game for a while. Honestly, I can't blame her. My head is already pounding from staring at the dense, tiny technical print. “Kill me, Lessa.”

I flinch because that’s what Julianna calls me when we’re alone. “Can’t do it. I’m here to help you. Give me the last section there and I’ll get to work at my old desk.”

“You’ll want these too, then.” She slides two highlighters in my direction. Yellow and pink. Classic. “I’ll also give you a copy of the instructions. I’ve memorized them by now.”

“Yeah, well, I wrote them.” I ain’t lying, either. I did not envy these interns when I wrote up these repetitive orders and emailed them to everyone. Now I’m feeling the irony like a crowbar to the back of my head.

I take my section and the highlighters over to Cher’s old desk by the window. The expansive cityscape of Downtown Portland looks so much different than it did two months ago. Gone are the dreary grey clouds and ominous rain of a long winter. Now it’s nothing but beautiful sunshine. Spring came late, but when it hit us, it was overnight!

The thought of spending this summer with her fills me with excitement. I’m such a hopeless romantic, imagining us at outdoor restaurants, basking in warm breezes and the carefree atmosphere that a good IPA brings to both us and everyone around. Of course, I’m not naïve—I know Julianna probably isn’t going to be all that into it, but still…

I also think about her brother’s wedding next month.

Julianna’s the best woman, and I’m her date. It’s going to be the (gay) wedding of the summer, and I still don’t have a dress.

“Ms. Penrose.”

I barely hear the voice calling my name from the doorway. It takes another, louderMs. Penrose!before I recognize Presley Bradford’s tenor summoning my attention.

Huh? What does she want from me? If Julianna or Vern need something, they call me directly. This morning Julianna sent me a bouquet of fresh-cut roses for my desk… which I was kind enough to put on the receptionist’s desk to keep things bright on an equally beautiful day.

Ms. Bradford doesn’t look happy. Then again, she rarely looks happy around me.

“Oh!” I stand up from my seat. “Yes?”

“Can I see you in the conference room for a few minutes?” She walks away before I confirm that I’ll be there.

I offer Lizzie a shrug before picking up my purse and following Ms. Bradford into the conference room. She’s already sitting by the window, with nothing but a mug of coffee from the breakroom to keep her company until I get there. Oh, no. What the hell is this about? Have I done something? This woman has been unhappy with my arrangement with Julianna ever since we blew up two months ago.

Is this going to be an ultimatum?

“Have a seat, Ms. Penrose.”

---