Page 19 of Grumpy Boss in Love

Not me, though. I was wound so tight that my shoulders practically touched my ears. Caroline Saunders, the dragon lady, was here, so it was hard for me to relax and enjoy the party. What was there for me to celebrate anyway? One month into my internship, I was here for the summer shindig and with the way things were going, I doubted I’d be here for the big Christmas party.

My hope of getting hired permanently dwindled each day. That thought made me pout harder.

“I need liquid comfort,” I sighed and trudged to the bar. An open bar. Yes! If only I had a drinking buddy.

The other interns, a.k.a the Brown Nosers, avoided me like I was contagious. Maybe I was. If any of them were seen cozying up to me, Caroline’s hate would probably spread over to them. I guess I couldn’t blame them. It was every man and woman for themselves in these vicious intern streets.

I would have invited Megan as my plus one, but she’d probably see Elliot—if he showed up—and he had his secret and all… Why I was protecting him, I had no idea. We weren’t friends, despite our rare civil moment when he gave me a ride home. He’d ignored my existence since then, which was what I’d wanted.

The messed up part? Caroline still hated me! What did a girl have to do to gain a little approval around here? Groaning my disgust at the pathetic weakling thirsting for acceptance that I had become, I signaled the bartender.

She sauntered over with a smile. “What’s your poison?”

I didn’t want any champagne like everyone else. That was for celebrating. I needed something to match my current misery. Still, I couldn’t go that hard because I was a lightweight and I couldn’t get obliterated at a work party. So I settled for a Mai Tai.

“You got it,” the smiling brunette said and got to work.

While I waited, I read my sister Lucy’s text that had come moments ago.

Hey, haven’t heard from you in two days. Call me!

My long, rueful sigh fluttered the tendrils that had escaped my loose updo. Guilt punched me in the gut for avoiding my sisters. I knew they’d ask me about the internship so far, and I’d have to lie to them and tell them it was going great. Plus, I had to sidestep the questions they asked about my other job.

No way would I admit to the girls that their youngest sister made her money as a half-naked waitress who got hefty tips from men ogling my tits. However, I couldn’t avoid them forever. Taking my drink, I smiled at the bartender and headed for the nearest exit while I dialed Lucy.

She answered with, “Ruby, finally. Are you okay?”

I shouldered my way through the throng of Westwood Collective staff. “I’m fine. Has anyone ever told you that being a worry wart gives you wrinkles?”

“Don’t be a smart ass, Ruby. You’re?—”

“All alone in a big city, and when I don’t check in, you guys worry,” I finished. “I know. I’m sorry.”

Lucy sighed. “It’s okay. I guess we have to understand that our baby is all grown up and busy.”

I rolled my eyes. “Jeez, Luce, I’m twenty-three. I should have graduated frombabysister status at eighteen.”

She chuckled. “So how’s it going? What’s all that racket?”

“It’s going great!” I winced at the amount of false cheer I forced out. “I’m at a company party.”

“Ooh, look at you, rubbing shoulders with the big execs.”

Hoping she didn’t hear the misery in my fake laugh, I said, “Yeah. It’s awesome, but I can’t stay on the phone long.” I stopped walking when I reached a set of elevators that was far enough from the ballroom that the music filtering out was barely audible. “You know me, I’ve got to work the room and make friends with everybody.”

Lucy laughed. “Yeah, I know you alright. Okay, I won’t keep you long. I’m just glad you’re okay and having a blast out there in Chicago.”

Tugging at the hem of my golden yellow cocktail dress, I said, “I’m having the time of my life. Things are great here. I’m making moves to climb the corporate ladder, you know?” At that, my lower lip quivered and tears welled up to blind me.And the Liar of the Century award goes to…“Pretty soon, I’ll be able to give up my night gig and get some sleep for a change.”

“Oh, Ruby,” Lucy sighed. “I’m so proud of you, but don’t work yourself to the bone.”

“I’m not,” I lied.

“Did you get your car fixed?’

“Um… yeah.” I pressed my nose with my index finger. If Lucy could see me, she’d know I was lying my ass off. “Since things are going great, I’ll be able to buy a new car soon too. So no worries.”

“Great. Have I mentioned how proud of you we all are?”

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