Page 23 of Nutmeg + Mistletoe
Pepto Bismolpink.
And of course, I didn’t reallyseehow pink it was until I was already running late.
No time to change. No time to regroup. And even though Karmen normally has extra clothes in her office, she decided to have everything sent out for dry cleaning today.
So now, here I am, heading to meet my new team therapist and first official hire looking like a bottle of gas relief.
Still, it's not even close to the most embarrassing mistake I’ve made since joining the front office.
Like the time I confidently strode into the locker room after a huge win, clipboard in hand, ready to give a littleyou killed it out there, boys,speech! What no one told me was the press had already been let in.
Cameras were everywhere, interviews were taking place and most of the players weren’t even dressed.
I walked straight into a sea of towels, bare chests, and more dicks than I ever wanted to see in a professional setting.
Worse, one of the cameras caught my reaction. Eyes wide, face frozen, and—God help me—locked right onto the monstrosity of Luca Chidubem’s chubby.
This pink suit hasnothingon that twenty-four-hour Threads debacle.
But in my defense, the man’s penis was unethically big. I couldn’t look away!
I own every mistake. Every challenge. And when I get knocked down, I get back up and face the next day. Today, it means facing my very real fear of being mistaken for Buckhead Barbie. Bright pink and all, I’m walking in with my head high and making damn sure Eslin feels welcome.
Chapter six
Girl Power & Stuff
Eslin
Neither of us looks old enough to be doing these jobs. My new boss is a stunning brunette with long, dark hair, olive skin, and the kind of flawless complexion that screams she’s not a day over thirty.
But hey, I’m thirty-two and still get asked where I earned my degree every time I remind someone to call medoctor, so who am I to judge? Honestly, I’m proud to work for an organization that empowers women like this.
She’sreallygirly, though. Girly in a way that makes me pray she never wants to hang out.
“It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you in person,” Marlow says, wrapping up the formalities now that we’re alone in her office.
Which is gorgeous, by the way.
“Likewise!” I reply brightly. “And, can I just say—mad respect for being the boss at your age? I know it’s probably not PC to point it out, but seriously, you’re killing it.”
Thankfully, she grins—clearly taking it as the compliment I meant. “I appreciate that! It wasn’t easy convincing my dad to give me a shot, but I kept reminding him that if I were a man, it wouldn’t even be a conversation. He didn’t have much to say after that.”
“Valid!” I agree.
“So, how are you settling into Atlanta?”
“It’s beautiful here. Humid, but beautiful. I lived here for a summer once, but never really had the chance to explore. It’s been fun getting to know the city.”
“I love that!” she gushes. “Have you made any new friends yet?”
How do I explain? I don’t justmakefriends. They have to grow on me—naturally. No forcing, no pushing. And so far, I haven’t let anyone close enough for that to happen since moving here.
“No, not yet! I’ve just been busy getting my place together,” I lie smoothly, because let’s be real—I moved in with seven boxes and four suitcases. Not exactly a ton of unpacking to do.
“Well, you and I are going to be great friends,” she declares.
Oh, yay.Pretty sure that’s an HR violation or something.
