Page 53 of Big Daddy to Go

“Renata, I don’t care about that show. I just want to finish telling you the items to order so that I can go home.”

She cracks her gum and huffs.

“You’ve been a real bitch lately.”

“Excuse me?”

“What’s your problem? Do you still have your panties in a bunch over Jason? Girl, you gotta move on.”

I slap my hand against the desk.

“I don’t give a flying fuck about Jason Peckham!”

Renata is shocked as I scream at her.

“Lexi!” Janice, one of the owners, calls out. “Can I speak to you in my office?”

Shit. Renata smirks at me as I step into Janice’s office. Janice closes the door behind us, and I look at her apologetically.

“I’m sorry I flipped out, but Renata has been getting on my last nerve…”

“Lexi, I’m sorry, but we have to let you go.”

“What?!” I gasp. “Over Renata? Come on, Julia can’t stand her either.”

“It’s not because of Renata. Though I would love to fire her too,” Janice sighs. “We can’t afford to keep you on. I’m sorry.”

“W-what about my clients?” I ask, not believing I’m being fired the same week I’ve been dumped.

Well, kind of dumped. Kane and I weren’t even an official couple or anything.

“Julia and I will split your clients. Look, it’s nothing personal. You’re a great interior designer. Business is just slow right now. We’ll call you if it picks back up.”

“Do I at least get a severance package?”

Janice bares her teeth in an unflattering way as she shakes her head… as if I’m asking for too much.

“Great,” I sigh and storm out of the office.

“Did you just get fired?” Renata asks, standing up with her mouth hanging open, as if the thought excites her.

I can’t resist the opportunity to smack her in the forehead, causing her to fall back down into her rolling chair. I gather my things quickly and storm out of the building. Is this really happening to me?

A couple of hours later, I’m sitting at The Drunken Bucket, and Ricky is keeping my glass full. I can’t help but scan the room every so often looking for Kane. It hurts to be in the same place I met him, but at the same time, it makes me feel closer to him.

Melanie walks in and sits on the stool beside me. She opens her arms to me, and I fall into them.

“It’s going to be okay, girlie.”

I know her words are meant to comfort me, but I can’t imagine anything ever being okay again. I’d finally gotten over being jilted at the altar only to get my heart broken and lose my job a month later.

Ricky comes over and leans forward to give Melanie a kiss. They have been on a handful of dates, and while I’m happy for my best friend, it hurts to see happy couples right now.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Ricky smiles at Melanie. “For my viewing pleasure and to slow Chugs down,” he pats my arm as he says this, and I stick my tongue out at him.

“Look, Lex, you hated working for that company anyway,” Melanie reasons.

“No, I didn’t. I hate Renata and my bosses and my clients, but the job…”