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Chapter 9

Dirty Ideas

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“EARTH TO MAYA?”

I jolted upwards in my chair, slamming my knee into my desk. “Son of a—!”

“Sorry,” Aubrey said, wincing. “I didn't mean to scare you, you were just staring off into space.”

“Was I?” Running my hand through my hair, I felt the tell-tale sensation of my naked finger. I'd taken the engagement ring off before I got out of my Uber at work. I'd refused to let Conner drop me off, worried we'd be seen by someone who knew me. Removing the ring was the next logical step.

But I... kind of felt weird not wearing it.

Had I gotten used to it that fast?

“What did you need from me?” I asked, focusing on my friend. Aubrey was still peering at me like she was trying to figure something out. I stood taller, giving my best I'm the boss pose.

She relaxed her shoulders. “These are the newest client request forms. Can you go over them and sign off on any you want me to contact for following up?”

“Sure, but do we have time for more new clients?” I flipped through the papers with a mild frown.

“Generally? No. But I know you and your willingness to ignore the 40 hour work week, so I assumed you'd take on one or two and fit them in by working weekends.”

I sucked on my lower lip. “I can't do that.”

“Bwah?” she asked, not hiding her confused laugh.

“I can't work this weekend.”

“Okay,” she said, back to squinting at me. “Why?”

My face was getting warm—she saw my blush, and I felt my explanation disintegrating before I got it out. “I don't have to explain anything to you,” I snapped. Her eyes went wide. I regretted my harsh tone and fumbled to fix it. “I just... have things planned.”

“Okay, Boss,” she said, gathering the papers back up. “Your obedient assistant will remember her place.”

“Aubrey—”

“The Gibraldi group is coming in soon to go over mock-ups for their next event. I'll prepare the conference room.” With that she spun, stalking off with her head held high. I felt like total trash. Aubrey was my best friend and while working together had its occasional flaw, we were usually good at navigating the boss-assistant relationship.

Miserable with how I'd behaved, I sank low in my chair. This was a good reminder that I had to get the stuff with my mom solved ASAP. More than a week of this nonsense was going to strain things with Aubrey. She'd been there for me after Ben had crushed my heart and my self-esteem, and she'd asked no explanation for any of it.

She deserved better than this.

****

I FLIPPED THROUGH PAGEafter page of pretty blonde girls holding guitars. They all had on diamond earrings, luxury brands, and they laughed as they lounged on the hoods of expensive cars. Not one of them was playing an instrument. The mock-ups for the release packet for Nashville's newest—hopefully annual—music event, Summer Heat Fest, had finally arrived.

“So you see,” Michael said, “The plan is for these to hit coffee shops and music store shelves in two weeks.” He gestured with his hands as he spoke. I ignored his salesman smile, distracted by the flashy watch he wore. “If you see our vision—”

“What is that?” I asked, pointing at his wrist.

Michael blinked. “This? It's a Rolex.”

“How much did it cost?”

He creased his lips, flustered as he looked at the people sitting around the table with us. The Gibraldi team were all men. “I don't know, a few hundred dollars? Why?”