Page 140 of Love Undiscovered
“Why? My results are always above par, I am in the lab crazy long hours checking and double checking everything. I mean, I work my ass off, Stephen.”
“I agree, you put in long hours and your work is good. Solid even. But we have a certain image to project outside the office and you don’t always fit that image.”
“Because I’m a woman?”
“Because of how you dress. Remi, your wardrobe can be, shall we say, a bit risqué at times.”
“To prove a point! The office is completely sexist. It’s a good ole boys club in there. Everyone treats me like a pretty face who doesn’t know anything. So I dress the part and kick ass at the same time. To prove a point and show you all you’re wrong.”
He raises his eyebrows at me and does a little shoulder shrug, head cock at the same time.
“I brought a very conservative suit to wear tomorrow,” I tell him.
“So did Donaldson,” he smirks.
What a dick.
“I may as well go back home then, no reason to stay here.” The waitress sets my drink down, I pick it up and down it in a few large gulps. The fire of the vodka coursing through my system, leaving a comfortably numb feeling in its absence. I take a deep breath and look at Stephen, whose mouth is hanging open. And then up at the waitress, who has yet to leave. Her eyes have widened to an almost comical size.
“I’ll have another please, and put them both on his tab.” The waitress looks to Stephen for confirmation. He nods.
“What is it with people not taking my word for anything?” I ask.
Neither answer. The waitress scurries away.
“Remi, it is important that you attend as second chair. In case Donaldson has questions on the research—”
“My research.”
“Or the audience has questions that he may not be able to answer.”
“Because it’s not his work.”
“I would appreciate you not having an attitude in regard to this,” Stephen says.
A short bark-like laugh comes from my mouth.
“Your cooperation is expected and, of course, appreciated,” he says.
The waitress appears with my second drink. God bless her for sensing this is a tense situation and getting drink number two back to me in a speedy manner.
I take a big gulp, immediately feeling better and nauseous at the same time. “Okay, well, if that’s all you needed me for, I’ll just take my cocktail and be out of your hair.” Then I laugh since he barely has enough for his comb-over.
“I will see you tomorrow, Remi.”
“Yep, see ya.”
I’m well on my way to drunk, a martini and a half on an empty stomach will do that to a girl. I don’t think I’ve eaten since dinner at Chance’s parents’ last night. If I don’t count all the gummy bear heads at Kat’s.
My God, was that just last night? It seems like forever ago. I head out of the bar toward a small lounge area in front of a fake fireplace and take a seat in the middle of one of the couches facing it; just to make sure no one sits next to me. I don’t want company, I have no desire to interact with anybody, and I’m beyond pissed off.
How dare he do this. I am so fucking tired of men.
Men in authority.
Men named Chance Bauer.
Really, just one man named Chance Bauer.
