When I got her the job in accounting, she wasn’t questioning her six-figure salary or the perks that came along with it. But since we lost our mom, she’s been pushing back, and now she’s pushing in the wrong direction.
The last thing I need is her ruffling feathers, and although she’s right, I need to keep her quiet. All of this aside, she didn’t take much time off work after Mom died. Although to be fair, neither did I. I think we thought by throwing ourselves back into the company it would fill the void we were scared to face.
Selma needs some time off away from work, but suggesting it might just piss her off more. I need to think of something I can have her do to occupy her time and stay out of the board’s line of sight. The last thing I need is them using her as a reason to not promote me. She might not like my career path, but in the end it will benefit the both of us. That’s how I’m justifying what I do next.
I send an email to HR reminding them to double-check that all staff hired for the event needs to have their non-disclosure agreement signed before entering the building. I tell them that I want the pay doubled and security at the door after they enter. I meant what I said to Selma, that I’d never want a woman to do anything she doesn’t want to, but I’m not going to stop the ones that do. With the money they’re getting paid for the event, I have no doubt they’ll be lining up to be leered at.
After I hit send, I lean back in my chair. I don’t feel good about any of this, but I’ll feel better when it’s finished. Thankfully it’s only the board and a handful of department heads that will be in attendance at the party. Wives and girlfriends aren’t invited to attend this year since the theme is Gentlemen’s Club, but now I can see why after the invoices. I close my eyes and force myself to focus on what’s important here, and a waitress dressed as a bunny is the absolute least of my worries.
3
Lux
I rub my eyes, still feeling beyond tired. If I could I’d pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. I’m not used to the sounds of the city, and when the car alarm goes off outside my window I know it’s not going to happen anytime soon. Plus, I have an appointment with a temp agency in a few hours. My plan is to be an hour early so that for once I’m not late.
Tossing the blanket back, I crawl out of bed and almost trip over a pile of clothes before getting to my bedroom door. I pause when my phone starts to ring, and I glance over to the stack of boxes I put next to the bed as a side table. The only piece of furniture I have right now is a bed that was delivered late last night.
“Crap!” I yelp as I stub my toe on something and grab my phone. “Hello.”
“Why are you all breathy? Already meet some hottie out there?” Juno teases. I fall back onto my bed.
“I wish.” She snorts and I rub my foot. “I stubbed my toe.”
“Of course you did.” I can see her smiling face now. “So how's the new roommate? Should I be jealous? Is she stealing my best friend title?”
“No one could ever take your spot, but it’s okay, I guess. I still haven't met her.”
“What the hell?”
“The management office gave me a key to get in.”
I may have forgotten to mention to Cooper yesterday that I haven’t actually met Avery. When I came out here with Juno, the maintenance man showed us the place, saying Avery was in class. I did run a quick background check on her, and she’s in college, but I didn’t see a job listed. Going off the way the people in the management office talk, she’s some kind of model.
“Hmm. That’s twice she hasn't been there. I’m thinking she’s probably a drug dealer.”
“You know, if you’re that much in need of excitement, maybe it’s time to come back to the city,” I suggest.
“Maybe.”
I’m surprised by her response, but I don’t push. I’m going to let her settle into the idea because Juno can get scared easily, and I’m not trying to make her do something she doesn’t want to.
“I have to get ready. I have an appointment with a temp agency.”
“All right. Text me after because I want to know how it goes.”
“You know I will,” I tell her before we say our goodbyes.
I grab everything I need for a shower and head into the hallway. There’s only one bathroom, so we have to share. Everything is clean and put away, so that’s nice, but I have seen a few men’s items here and there. Especially in the bathroom.
Maybe Avery’s boyfriend stays over. I never thought about the possibility of one of us having a man over, and now I’m wondering if that would be awkward. No, this is what grownups do, and it’s totally normal stuff. If anyone can deal with a bunch of boys, it's me, and I’m determined to shake my small-town mentality and live the big city life.
I take my shower, making sure to clean up everything after myself. Once I’m finished I wrap my towel around myself before exiting the bathroom. As soon as I step through the door, I freeze. A guy about my age is standing at the end of the hallway and he looks up when he sees me. He’s got wavy blond hair, blue eyes, and looks like an Abercrombie and Fitch model.
“Hey!” His smile is so big and his teeth are so white. “Sorry we’re only just meeting. Between shoots and classes my schedule can get crazy.” He walks down the hallway toward me and holds his hand out. “I’m Avery.”
What. The. Hell.
I’m going to be in so much trouble.
His eyes soften a little and he asks, “Are you hearing impaired?”
“No! Sorry.” I take his hand, realizing I’m being rude.
“Oh, okay. My mom is and wears hearing aids, so you just never know.” He releases my hand and then cocks his head to the side. “Is everything okay?”
“Honestly?”
“Yeah, I think if we’re going to be living together we should be honest with each other. If one of us has a problem we should put it out there.”
“I thought you were going to be a girl.” I’m really going to have to look back over that background check. How did I miss that? Juno is going to have a good laugh about this one, but my brothers won’t think it’s funny at all.
“Sorry to disappoint,” Avery chuckles.
“It’s fine,” I rush to say, and he lifts his eyebrows in disbelief. “Really it is. My brothers might flip, but other than that it's totally cool.” Why am I talking so loudly?
“Don't worry, sunshine. You’re not my type.” He winks at me before heading toward his bedroom.
“Sunshine?” I ask, and he turns back around to face me.
“Lux, it means light, right?”
“Right.” He shuts the door to his room, and I lean up against the wall. That went great for a first impression. An alarm on my phone goes off, reminding me to get moving. I’d set a few to be safe and keep me on task.
I’ll make it up to my new roommate later by ordering a pizza or something. Wait. Can models eat pizza? Everyone eats pizza, right? I think getting him a salad would be weird. I would assume the person thought I was chubby or something. I’ll have to ask Juno later.