Page 99 of Such a Good Girl

“All you can do is give Kaylee a chance to show you what’s she made of. Especially if you want her that badly.”

He was right. On the way back to the club, I vowed to do just that. What the hell would pushing her away now accomplish, besides ripping my own heart to shreds? Fuck that.

I wanted her.

I wasn’t giving up so easily.

When I returned to my office, Joey was there. He sat on the sofa scrolling through his phone.

“Hey, boss,” he said, quickly standing up when I walked in.

“Did we have a meeting scheduled?”

“No, I brought you lunch,” he said, pointing to a brown paper bag on the desk.

“Why?”

“You haven’t been eating much lately,” he said, shrugging.

“I’m not paying you to monitor my meals, Joey.”

“Oh, I know,” he said. “I went to the Crescent deli. I know you like it there, so I just picked up an extra sandwich.”

“Okay, cool, thanks,” I said, sitting by my desk. “So, what are you working on today? Did you secure that house for the set?”

“It’s in the works,” he said, then fell silent for a moment. I felt his gaze on me as I opened up the sandwich and took a bite. It was perfect. Just the way I liked it. I needed to be nicer to Joey.

“Um, can I talk to you about a concern I’m having?” he ventured.

“Sure,” I said, in between bites.

“It’s just…this recent press. With Kaylee. It seems the two of you are being spotted all over the city now. It’s really whipping up a frenzy with the paps trying to get the best shot.”

“Fuck, I know, it’s so goddamned annoying.”

“Right,” he nodded. “I just think maybe it would be good if you cooled it for a little while. You really don’t even know anything about Kaylee. What if…what if she has a background that could damage your rep?”

“Damage my rep? Did you really just say that?”

“I did,” he said.

I looked square in his eyes to make sure he was serious before I unleashed on him. All I saw was sincerity.

“Joey,” I seethed, but kept my words measured and firm. “I told you already to stay out of my personal life. You didn’t listen. This is your last warning. I’m in dire need of a break from you, to be honest. Take a week off. With pay, don’t worry. But just leave me alone for a while.”

“Oh, West, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect. I was just worried about you.”

“That’s not your job. Your job is to perform the tasks I assign to you. That’s it.”

“I know. It won’t happen again, seriously. I don’t need a week. Really.”

I sighed, shaking my head. He looked sincerely upset and apologetic. I was such a hard ass sometimes.

“Fine, just cut that shit out about Kaylee. I’m not going to put up with that and she’s not going anywhere.”

“Yes, boss,” he said, ducking his head as he walked out of my office.

ChapterThirty-Five

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