Page 141 of One Bad Idea
I felt my gaze narrow. "Do Ireallyneed to work? Or is this some sort of excuse?"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course it matters," I said. "I need to know."
"No. You don't. The only thingyouneed to know is that you're busy Saturday."
I was glaring now. In reality, I'd been busyeverySaturday.
With him.
Wasthatthe problem? That he didn't want our fun infringed on?
If so, I didn't like it. Regardless of whatever was going on between us, there was no way I'd abandon a friend when she needed help.
I edged closer and lowered my voice. "So what is it? Are you worried it'll take away from…" I hesitated. I really didn't want to spell it out, especially here at the office. As a rule, we kept our personal relationship separate from our work relationship, and I was very determined to keep it that way.
Oddly enough, this was the first time there'd ever been a real conflict.
Jaden said, "I'm not worried about anything, because you're not going."
I made a sound of disbelief. "Are you telling me this as my boss? Or as something else?"
"Both."
"You can't be serious."
"Alright, if it makes you feel better, I'm telling you as your boss."
Was he crazy?I didn't feel better. I felt worse. "So you're serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
No. He didn't.But I'd known that already. I crossed my arms. "So tell me, what'ssoimportant that I have to work?"
"I'll tell you Saturday."
This was too maddening for words. Trying hard to keep my voice under control, I said, "You know, I don't appreciate power trips."
"Yeah. And I don't appreciate carelessness."
"Oh come on," I said. "You're just bossing me around because you can."
"No, I'm 'bossing you around' because you don't know trouble when you see it."
I gave him a good, long look. "Oh, I know trouble, alright. And I'm looking at him now."
"Yeah? And we know how well you avoidedthat."
His words stung, and I drew back. He was right and wrong all at the same time. Yes, I'd utterly failed at avoiding the trouble that was Jaden Bishop.But did he have to rub it in?
I wasn't liking any of this.
And now, I had a choice. I could either let down my friend or risk losing my job. I paused.Or maybe not.
Very carefully, I said, "And what happens if I don't show?"
"If you mean Saturday, forget it."
