Page 63 of Hell Hath No Fury

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Fraternizing with the boss is verboten, prohibidas, vietato. Forbidden.

I stop in the break room and pour myself a cup of coffee. I grab a diet Coke and two granola bars while I'm there. I'm going to hide out in my office and avoid the prying eyes while I can.

It doesn't take long before Jamie makes her way to my office. Her eyes are wide with wonder. Lord, have mercy.

She closes the door and sits down on the edge of the chair across from my desk. I take a sip of my coffee and wait.

She stands up, puts her palms on the desk and leans forward. "What the hell happened? Rumors are flying."

"Who started the rumors, I wonder."

Jamie sits. "Not me. I don't even know what happened. You didn't answer your phone and let your friend in on the details."

"No, I didn't. Shannon's went out of town for business Saturday evening. She's been calling and texting nonstop," I admit.

"I know. She told me. Now tell me," she pleads.

"Nothing happened."

"Oh, come on. You left The Vault with the three hotties," she says.

"That's true. I was drugged by some douchebag, and the 007 trio decided to take me home and make sure I was okay."

"They," she starts too loudly and I give her a look to quiet down. She clears her throat. "They took you home? Whose home? I can't even."

"Derrick's—Mr. Pierce. He insisted I call him Derrick since I was staying in his home."

"Holy wow."

I tell her the rest—all of it, including Dating 101.

"Wow," she replies. "Wow."

"Yeah."

"Your first date is Friday?" she asks.

I nod.

"In three days. Wow."

"Would you stop saying wow? It's freaking me out even more," I admit.

"I knew you wanted to bang him, but date him? Is he your type?"

I shrug. "I don't think it's like that. It's just pretend to give him direction. At least that's what Mark said."

"Mark's a troublemaker."

I nod in agreement. "He is."

"He might just be a genius," she blurts out.

"Huh?" I question.

"Nothing, nothing. Just a random thought. He is pretty clever," she answers.

"He is." I narrow my gaze. "I bet he's the one starting the rumors."

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