Page 60 of Wicked Angel
“I mean, I’m not saying it would be my first choice. If I had a choice. But… maybe he’s the only person I know who needs this enough, right now, to give someone like me a chance. I’m probably lucky I caught him in a moment of weakness.”
Shayla raised an eyebrow at me again as she sipped her smoothie. “Weakness?”
“Drunkenness. He seemed pretty sold on my skills and connections last night,” I explained. “But the reality is this is my first real gig. It’s all on me. I don’t have Danielle and her team to support me. I’m flying a bit blind and I’m pretty desperate to make it work.”
“Determined,” she corrected me. “You’re determined to make it work. Change your language, babe. Stop shitting on yourself. And believe me, you’ll see, things will start to change for you.”
She was right. I knew how powerful word choice could be. I’d put hours into drafting the perfect press releases for Danielle’s clients, word by word. I needed to stop undermining myself. “I’m determined to make it work,” I said carefully. “Any words of wisdom on how to deal with your brother? Like how to get on his good side and work well with him?”
She gave me a wry smile. “You’re not on his good side?”
“Actually, I have no idea.”
“Come on, Angie. My brother wouldn’t hire you if you weren’t in his good books. He doesn’t tolerate people he doesn’t like.”
Hmm. Interesting, considering Johnny had never been all that warm and fuzzy with me. I was half sure he hated me as much as I hated him, he was so chilly around me most of the time.
Other than… well, that kiss was pretty warm. But that was just… madness. A weird, nonsensical blip in the past.
“I’d hate to know what it feels like to be on his bad side, then,” I said casually.
“You won’t be. You’re too cute.”
“Brianna’s cute,” I pointed out. “He got pretty chilly with her.”
“Let’s not speak of that ho.” She sucked back the last of her smoothie and put the cup in the sink. “And allow me to be more specific. There are different kinds of cute. You’re cute like… an adorable kitten.”
I rolled my eyes.
“What? It’s true, okay? Dylan Cope would carry you around in his pocket if he could. The guys all love you.”
“I know.” This kind of “love” was not the kind I was looking for, unfortunately. “Elle’s friends all think I’m a cartoon character.”
She laughed. “You do give off Pikachu vibes now and then.”
“I truly dislike you sometimes.”
“You’re a good, sweet person and no decent human wants to hurt you,” she amended. “And if my brother does, you tell me.” She gave me a sharp look and scooped up her things. “I’m outta here. Enjoy your day…cringe… working with my brother. And don’t you dare say I didn’t warn you, if it all goes to shit.”
“I won’t.”
“Good. And don’t wear anything sexy. Like, anything sexier than that.” She eyeballed the leggings and long, flowy tank she’d loaned to me, after I pointed out to her that I needed actual clothes to wear around, not just lingerie disguised as clothes. She frowned. “My brother’s got a one track mind. And that bra makes your boobs lookreallynice.”
“Relax. It’s not like that.”
She wasn’t really listening, too busy examining my shirt like she was searching for signs of translucency. “If you bend over and he gets an eyeful of the girls… Actually, you should really put on a sweater.”
“I’m not here for the eye candy. I’m not going to bend over. And it’s hardly sweater weather, Shay.”
“Babe. He starts giving you eyes or something, you’re telling me you’ve got it in you to resist?” She stared me down, actually waiting on an answer to that.
“Yes, Mom. I can resist the attractive man. I may even be able to keep my clothes on and refrain from having sexual intercourse with him while we have a work related conversation.”
“Are you sure?”
I gave her a look. “I hate him, remember?”
“Hate sex is the new workplace quickie. Hasn’t anyone told you?”
