Page 3 of Dirty Little Secrets

“ M ake sure you’re ready at seven, Nori,” Landon’s says, his toned clipped leaving no room for an argument.

I shut down my computer a little too hard, the dull thud drawing Kristina’s attention from the next cubicle.

Her eyes flick to Landon as he strides off like the building was on fire.

I’m surprised the flimsy makeshift wall behind the monitor didn’t fall over.

He acts like being my boyfriend gives him power over my time and wardrobe.

I’m surprised he didn’t mention what I should wear.

What an asshole?

“I will,” I call after him, my voice flat.

He barely glances back. “And dress appropriately.”

There it is.

I glance down at my blouse. Soft red. Fitted, not revealing, but that doesn’t matter. If it’s not black covering every inch of my skin, it’s inappropriate.

Kristina waits until the elevator swallows him. “Why do you put up with that?”

I sigh. “It’s….complicated.” She doesn’t know about Seattle. About my mom. About why going back isn’t an option, or more importantly why I’m with Landon.

She tilts her head. “Is it complicated, or just toxic with a dose of control?”

I laugh, weakly. “Maybe both.”

“You owe him nothing,” she says matter of fact. “And I swear, if he has a microdick and you’re dealing with all this?”

My cheeks flush. “Average. At best.”

I’d once asked Landon to pull my hair. Just once. To pretend. He stopped mid-thrust and left the room. Later, he told me men don’t respect women who want that kind of thing. Not the kind they marry. Somehow, I ended up feeling ashamed which given my past, is crazy.

She groans. “Girrrrl.”

“He helped get this job,” I mutter.

“And now he holds it over your head.”

I hate that she’s right.

“You’re hot and way out of his league,” she adds.

I roll my eyes. “He has connections, an apartment, a career. He’s driven.”

“And you’ve got brains and a body. And…what are you wearing tonight?”

“Red dress.”

Her grin spreads. “Now that, I love.”

“He prefers black.”

“And I prefer you free of his stupid ass.”

I laugh. She means every word. But it’s not that simple.

“I wish I could see his face when he sees you wearing red,” she says and continues, “Dinner is at Drazen’s, right? One of Xaiden Drazen’s places?”

“Yeah.”

“Fancy.”

I nod, rubbing the pad of my finger over a hangnail.

“You’re nervous?”

“Just a little.”

When it’s time to head out for the day, she pulls me into a hug. “Text me when you get there. And take a picture of how you look before you leave.” She winks. “So I can remind you how hot you look if he gives you shit.”

“Thanks.”

She walks in the elevator and before the doors close, she calls out, “Remember, you’re smart. Amazing. He knows it. Don’t let him try to dim you.”

I gather my things and removing the hidden jump drive from the PC. Her words linger when I head to the apartment I share with Landon. But so does his voice in my head.

I’m trying to help you.

The Uber pulls up as I adjust the neckline of my red dress just a little lower. “Happy Friday,” the driver says. “That’s a hell of a dress.”

I smile, sliding into the back seat. “Thanks.”