Page 17 of Bridesmaid By Chance
He quirks his head to the side. “What the hell has gotten into you?”
Carefully and calmly, I set the pen and notepad down. “I don’t appreciate you calling me young when you don’t know anything about me or my life,” I say. “I don’t appreciate people judging me because of my age and assuming I’m inexperienced. Age means nothing in this world. Trust me.”
“It means something, as no one in their right mind with experience would be talking to their boss the way you are right now.”
“Because they don’t know how to stick up for themselves,” I say. “Maybe they went to the same weasel school you went to.”
Oh boy, now the tongue is flying, and there’s no stopping it.
“Sloane,” he says with such arousing command in his voice, which would normally make me feel weak in the knees, but something in my brain has switched, and I can’t stop poking the bear. Yup. Poke.
Poke.
Poke.
I know I shouldn’t be talking to Hudson like this, and if Jude ever found out that I did, he’d be livid with me. I do know better. I understand the value of playing the part I’m meant to play. But…I don’t know, today has been a whirlwind. I’ve been thrown to the wolves, apologized to, and then insulted. And maybe this is further evidence that I’m not cut out for this kind of work. Holding my feelings in all day, getting walked on for the betterment of the company, just feels icky.
And if you know me, you know I don’t take kindly to insults. I never have, and I’ve always stuck up for myself in those situations. Sure, can I be the polite girl who does what she’s asked? Of course. But I also can be a rabid beast with gnarly fangs when I’m doubted.
“Yes, Mr. Hopper?” I ask, crossing one leg over the other.
His jaw ticks as he stares me down. I can see the wavering in his mind, wondering how to handle this situation. If I were any other person, he’d most likely fire me, but because I’m Jude’s sister, there’s no way?—
“I think you should pack up your desk.”
Wait…what?
I uncross my leg, pressing both feet into the ground. “Hold on, what did you say?”
Staring me down, he says, “I said, you should pack up your desk.”
A nervous chuckle falls past my lips. “Oh my God, it…it kind of sounds like you’re firing me?”
He works his jaw to the side. “Listen, Sloane, I can’t have you talking to me like that and getting away with it. It’s not professional, and if you don’t learn now, then you’re never going to learn.”
Hold up…hold up…
“Wait. You’re seriously firing me?” My eyes blink in disbelief.
“Yeah,” he says. “I am.”
Holy shit, he’s really firing me.
I can’t…I can’t believe this.
After what he put me through only half an hour ago? He has the nerve to fire me when I stick up for myself?
And yes, the name-calling was out of hand, but what happened to a slap on the wrist and a carry on with business?
He’s just going to up and fire me?
Okay, sir…
This is not going to go well for you.
Apologies in advance for what’s about to come out of my mouth.
“Wow, okay.” I stand from my chair and smooth down my skirt. “If that’s how you want to play this, I guess good luck with your bridesmaid stuff. Seems like you’re going to need it. Especially after you promised Archie I’d help out. Then again, you reek of desperation. I’m sure you’ll have no problem finding a wig and stuffing a bra in order for you to play the part.”
