Page 7 of Wherever You Are

So…no. Whatever they’re up to, it’s a big capitalFuck Nofrom me.

Connor doesn’t miss a beat. “Then it’s work related,” he says. “Grab your things.”

Seriously?

I wrench my headphones back to my neck with a deeper sigh. Abandoning my work. It looks like Connor’s not going to let me bail on this. Plus, I’d prefer to keep my job.

To Lily, I say, “Just tell me where we’re going and why.”

“Ryke’s house—or cottage.”

I don’t get why they call it a cottage. It looks like a fucking house.

She adds, “It’s a surprise party for Connor.”

The wordsurprisejumps out at me. I’m living in a parallel universe where words don’t mean the same thing. I glance at my boss. “How is this a surprise birthday if you know? And why the hell do you want me to go?”

“Surprising me is so rare that everyone uses the term loosely.” He points at my computer. “You’re here at six in the morning and you leave at midnight.Sevendays a week. While I appreciate your work ethic, as your friend, it’s disconcerting.”

I inhale a tight breath.Friend.There’s that word again. “You’re my boss, not my friend.”

“I’m both,” Connor says easily, “and since you seem to be lacking in the friend department lately, I wouldn’t turn my back on one, especially friendships as valuable as mine.”

Believe me, I know how valuable his friendship is. The employees here can’t stop reminding me about it.

Lily pipes in, “Having no friends isn’t a bad thing.”

I pinch my eyes. “Can you both just shut up?” It’s hard to think with them in my ear. Another day spent with the famous couples: Lily and Lo, Connor and Rose, Ryke and Daisy. I should reject this forced invite, but for the sake of my job and my current sanity, there’s only one real choice.

I roll back the chair and grab my backpack from underneath the desk. Lily glances at my ripped jeans, but she doesn’t say anything about it.

Standing, I still have to crane my neck to look at my boss. The guy is six-four, and I swear the universe is playing right into his hand. People refer to Connor as some otherworldly being like an immortal god. He might as well be tall enough to touch the sky.

I sling the backpack over my shoulder. “If I go,” I say to Connor. “You have to stop calling me your friend. We’re not, okay?” I need him to understand this. I don’t want him as a friend. If we’re not, there won’t be more collateral damage when I lose Willow.

Before Connor can reply, I look to Lily. “And I have friends…” I pause.That’s not completely true.“One friend. She’s just not here.”

Willow.

My only friend.

Casually, like I didn’t just offer this grand stipulation, Connor checks his watch. “Most people would be on their knees to be my friend. This just illustrates your lack of judgment.”

Maybe.

I nod. “Thanks, boss.” Sarcasm bleeds from my lips.

“Follow me.” Connor motions to Lily and me. He saunters ahead with calm, reassuring authority. Most people love it. For some people, the arrogant superiority grates on them. After working months for Connor, I’m landing somewhere in between.

We pass a copy machine, Lily step-by-step beside me. I whisper to her, “Just so you know, you’re my favorite boss.” I’ve only ever had two. Connor and Lily.

She smiles wide, and a good feeling floods my chest.

I miss those days at Superheroes & Scones.

But I can’t have them back.

The Calloway Sisters & Their Men – Fan Page