Page 38 of Date and Switch

Ivy and Hillary had arrived and were talking stats and numbers and gave me a folder with a full corporate prospectus with dippy call outs like “try using trending hashtags,” like that was something I didn’t already know. However, they were paying my salary while I was jaunting around the globe, so I felt I needed to give them most of my attention.

Bryce: Those petals reminded me of how lusciously pink your pussy is. Just a few more hours and I’ll be worshiping it like it’s my church.

“What do you think, Sera? Is this something you’d be interested in?”

Of all the times for Bryce to be distracting me.

“I’m so sorry. Bryce sent me a message and I panicked thinking we needed to be back on ship. Can you repeat that?”

“I said.” Ivy smiled the strangest smile at Raven.

It felt like there was some kind of office pool going around and my mention of Bryce had them confirming in secret knowing looks and smiles that yes, in fact, we were doing the horizontal samba.

“I think you have a real future in social media marketing. And, given your music background, even if it’s of the classical nature, I think you would make a really awesome addition to our team.”

My brain must have still been in vacation mode. I couldn’t comprehend exactly what she was inferring. I think she wanted me to work for her, but then again I kind of already was.

“She wants you to work at Hursch, even after the cruise. To be our Social Media Director.” Raven beamed across the table from me. “Well us and probably a few other high profile morning shows.”

“I know this is a lot to digest right now. Just know that we want to continue that conversation once you get back to Boston.”

“New York,” I said. “I gave up my lease in Boston before I left, so when the cruise is over I’ll be in New York, with my sister until I figure out my next move.”

“That’s great!” Hillary chimed in. “We have an office in New York. Or, if you decide you want to come and hang out with us in Chicago, we’d be thrilled to have another body at H.Q.”

Bryce popped his head around the door smiling his apologies to the group. Just seeing his stupid face had my whole body erupting in goosebumps. I wanted to smack my dumb circulatory system right upside its head for being so smitten.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize your meeting was running long.”

“Think about what I said, Sera.”Ivy pushed her chair from the table. “I know you have a really small window here in L.A. But once you get settled in New York we can talk about a contract, pay your moving expenses if you decide to come to Chicago.”

“Tillie can send the contract to the Ellis attorneys,” Bryce stepped in. “If you can do it while we’re still docked, I’ll be sure to have our attorneys look it over while we’re traveling and Sera via our attorney can probably have preliminary comments sent back by the time we dock in Hawaii next week.”

“Fantastic.” Ivy and Hillary both stood, gathering their folders and such, and wishing everyone safe travels. “Oh, Raven.” Ivy stopped at conference room door, tossing her mane of curly strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder. “I vote a resounding yes. Like zero chance it’s a no.”

Raven burst into a guffaw that bounced off the walls of the high ceiling room. Bear, seeing his sidekick unravel into hysterics, joined in. Bryce, me, and Penn—who appeared in the doorway just as the other two exited, were the only ones apparently not in on whatever was so funny.

Bryce: Go to the front desk and tell them you are there to pick up the key I left for you.

Bryce: This meeting shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.

Bryce: Please be waiting in only the lingerie.

* * *

During a break between their meetings, Bryce escorted me to a conference room where I met Naomi, a buyer from Neiman’s. He told me she came with clothing for me to try on and all I had to do was tell her what I liked. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

Afterward, I took an elevator to a room as he directed on the keycard, and inside the massive suite was a woman in a lab coat waiting patiently at the dining room table.

“You must be Sera. I’m Dr. Raj. Mr. Ellis asked that I make a house call. I understand you’re both on a cruise around the world. How exciting!”

“I’m sorry. Mr. Ellis sent you here because?”

“I apologize. I thought I was here at your request. I’m here to provide you both prophylactics.” She held up a canvas bag that appeared to be misshapen with the amount of condom boxes were inside. I barely hid my surprised giggle behind a cough. “And also Mr. Ellis wanted me to see if you were interested in an injectable birth control.”

There was something oddly charming thinking about Bryce—who was laser focused on his meetings today—similarly sourcing an on-call doctor to come and dispense a birth control prescription for me while we happened to be docked overnight.

“Can you give me just one second? I need to use the restroom. So much water at lunch!”

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