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She’d definitely put some of her credibility on the line so that Nicola could have that job. And Nicola had no doubt that she was going to be upset. She had just ruined any chances of getting back on her feet. And Warren was at the very root of it. Again.

“Fuck you, Warren!” Nicola shouted at no one in particular. She just had to get that off her chest. “Fuck you and your entitled ass!”

God, that had felt so good. She stretched her arms out to the sides and shook her head. She was going to have to talk to Abagail again soon because Abagail had her car. And if there was one thing that she couldn’t give up, it was that. She needed to be able to get to see Alanna.

She just couldn’t do that right away. She just needed a few more hours to get her anger under control. She just needed a damn break.

eight

“So were you fired or did you walk out?” Abagail slapped her palm against the bedroom door, finding Nicola lounging on top of the blankets and the sheets, already naked, the strap pressed to her hips, and her nipples with clamps on them.

“Uh…what?” Nicola blinked hard, shaking her head.

“I think that was a rather blunt and to-the-point question. What didn’t you understand about it?”

“I walked out…” Nicola moved to sit up, crossing one leg under her body as she eyed Abagail over. “But it’s fine, because I still havethisjob.”

Abigail guffawed, loudly. She threw her hands up in the air and shook her head. “This arrangement is for a few weeks at best. Working as a waitress can last much longer than that.”

“I-I know.” Nicola cocked her head to the side, as if trying to judge where Abagail was going next with the conversation or what she’d done to fuck this all up already.

Abagail straightened her shoulders and took in a deep breath. She’d known she was coming in hot to the conversation, but let’s face it, she was flat out pissed. Not only had her day been long and awful, but she’d gotten a call from Tommie thatNicola had walked out right when there was a massive rush of customers.

“Why the hell would you give that up?” Abagail fisted her hands and put them on her hips. “Why the hell would you walk out?”

“Warren was there!” Nicola screeched. Her chest heaved, and Abagail saw it for what it was. Nicola was upset. Either by whatever happened at the bar that night, which Tommie had clearly forgotten to let Abagail in on, or by whatever had happened between Warren and Nicola that caused their breakup.

“So you walked out because your ex was there? How fucking immature.” Abagail threw her hand up in the air. “I know you’re young, but I thought you were better than that.”

Nicola’s jaw dropped.

“Get dressed. Because we’re not doing that.” Abagail pointed up and down Nicola’s body. Without another word, she turned on her toes and stalked out of the bedroom and down the stairs. She needed to calm herself down, and she really needed to figure out exactly what had happened between Nicola and Warren. This wasn’t just about revenge anymore. She was tired of both of them acting like children.

She could barely handle it with her own family. She wouldn’t tolerate it with her lovers. Nicola had to do better. Abagail walked directly into the kitchen and poured herself a stiff drink and knocked it back. She poured herself a second one and wandered out into the main living area. She was restless. No matter where she ended up, she had very little desire to actually sit down and relax.

“You said I had to come up with a plan for tonight.”

Abagail stiffened and closed her eyes. “Don’t worry, you’ll still getpaidfor your services, even if I tell you no or you tell me no.”

“Really?” Nicola winced, her hands clasped together nervously.

Abagail frowned. “I told you that I wouldn’t force you to do anything you didn’t want to do—ever. I’m not that kind of woman.”

“All right.” Nicola wrapped her arms around herself. The tight white tank was way too thin, and Abagail could very easily see her dark nipples through it, and the fact that Nicola hadn’t removed the nipple clamps. She was going to have to ignore that, because she really didn’t want to fall into old habits. “Warren got me fired.”

“You were fired because you walked out on the job.” Abagail sipped her drink, staring Nicola down. “Warren did nothing to force you to walk out.”

“I…” Nicola stopped, her lower lip forming into a pout. “You’re right, I did walk out before they could fire me. But he was trying to get me fired.”

Abagail pressed her lips together hard, waiting for more of an explanation. She hadn’t thought that she’d come home to more of the same drama that she’d wanted to leave at the office.

“Who’s to say Tommie would have believed him?” Abagail kept her look pointed. “I suggest you go back tomorrow and beg for your job back. If Warren continues to try and get you fired, then it’s an HR and personnel issue that needs to be dealt with.”

“Right.” Nicola didn’t look convinced though. She rolled her shoulders and eyed Abagail’s glass. She reached for it, snagging it from Abagail’s fingers and finishing it off. “That was good.”

Abagail hummed and frowned. Nicola was going to give her a run for her money, wasn’t she? She was wild in ways that Abagail hadn’t quite understood, and even now she wasn’t sure that she had a full grasp on how that was. If she cared enough, she’d ask Warren about it, but she’d promised Nicola that she wouldn’t talk to him about the fact they’d fucked.

Sighing heavily, Abagail stared at her glass. “Fill it back up.”