Page 70 of Love & Other Disasters

Twenty-Four

Violet raced after Monique, the gravel cold under her feet, and caught up to her at the car. Her friend’s face wore a mixture of surprise, amusement, and then turned angry.

“What the hell are you doing? He’s our boss.” Monique crossed her arms over her chest and glared.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell you.”

“I don’t get it,” she cried. “You never struck me as the type to screw the boss.”

The accusation hit her gut. She’s screwing him to save herself. “It’s more complicated than that.”

“How so?”

She told Monique the entire story of how they met, including her sneaking out of his hotel room, and the walk of shame. Monique laughed when she got to the part about how freaked out she’d been when he’d shown up as the new CFO. When finished, she stared at her friend hoping she’d understand.

“Only you,” Monique said, pulling her jacket tight. “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. But that still doesn’t change the fact that he’s our boss.”

“We have it separated. In the confines of that office building we are not together.”

Monique shook her head, frowning. “It’s a terrible idea. Deep down you know that’s bullshit.”

“I made him promise to fire me first if layoffs become necessary.”

“What will happen to you two if Bob or HR find out?

“I’d be the one to leave. And I’d quit willingly.”

“That doesn’t make sense. Why would you be the one to lose your job?”

“A friend of mine owns a company, and she’s offered me a job there.”

“You should take it and go. It’s crazy to put yourself in this position.”

“You sound like her.”

Monique rubbed her forehead and shifted from one foot to the other. “Why are you still working for Medi-Health?”

Violet paced along the driveway. That was the million-dollar question? Why? “I’ve put five years of my life into this company. I kinda want to help Jordan save it.”

“I get that,” she said.

“You do?” Violet whirled around to face her friend.

“Yeah. I even get the attraction to Jordan. Hell, I about swallowed my tongue when he opened the door shirtless… and that tattoo. Damn, girl. But I’m struggling here. Why didn’t you tell me? You lied when I asked. We’re supposed to be friends.”

“I couldn’t say anything. Please try to understand the tough position this put me in.”

“You lied to me.”

“I said it was too new to talk about, and that’s true. Why are you here?”

Monique took a deep breath and blew it out, the breath condensing in the chilly air. “I passed by here the other morning, and there’s a Mustang out front and thought maybe it was your mystery man. Then at work, Jordan got out of a similar car. So I drove by again out of curiosity…”

“Like a gotcha?”

“No,” she snapped. “Oh and maybe you can’t talk about it because you know its wrong.”

Sweat dripped down her back. “I’m allowed to have a private life and don’t have to tell you everything. What this is,” she pointed to the house, “is none of your business. I’m sorry that it hurt your feelings, though.”

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