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Chapter Fourteen
Mia
“All right, everyone. Please sit down so we can get this meeting started.”
Ally was up in front of the conference room, attempting to get everyone settled so the weekly status meeting could begin. People were still filing into the space. I sat to her left, allowing her to get things rolling the same way she always did. I was trying not to look at Terry. He had decided on a chair directly across from me, and he was looking me right in the eye.
Julia, a leggy blonde and former model, sat beside Terry. Julia was a smart girl and a valuable member of my design team. I sat back and watched the interaction between them unfold.
“Terry,” she said. “Were you the photographer for my Victoria’s Secret shoot I did for the catalog?”
Terry watched me watching him. Most of the eyes in the conference room were on him now. Julia’s breasts had always been a distraction for many, and the way she was looking and talking to Terry had everyone’s attention. The conference room was on the smaller side, so conversations that were occurring across the table could be heard by all.
“Ah, yeah, that was me,” Terry answered her in a low voice. If he was hoping to keep the others from hearing, he had his work cut out for him. Julia didn’t care who heard her or saw the exchange with him or any other guy she flirted with.
“I thought that was you. We had so much fun at that shoot. Remember what happened on break? You said I was tense, so you asked me to join you in the bathroom.” Julia smiled. Before he could answer her, Julia began talking again. “You had no problems getting those easy smiles out of me after that.”
Julia giggled as Terry’s cheeks flushed.
“Is that how you got all of your models to smile for you?” I asked him, my tone sharp. Terry shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He wouldn’t look at me, and it gave me a surge of pleasure that he felt ashamed. It helped quell the heartache that was bubbling up. “Anywhere to get a good romp in, huh, Terry?”
Julia giggled. I wondered if she thought it was merely some polite banter between us. She seemed oblivious that this could be considered a spat between former lovers.
“Oh, and Terry—now you’ll be photographing shoes, not models. Hopefully we can get some good shots of them. Nothing for you to sleep with on those sets,” I added, my tone flippant. I was twisting the knife in just a little bit more.
But Terry was ready for me.
“I’m sure I can find something,” Terry shot back. My face fell and I opened my mouth to say something, but no words would come out. From the cocky look on his face, I could tell he decided to play just as dirty as I did. I didn’t like that this took me down in front of my staff.
There were a few snickers that could be heard in the conference room. I just shook my head, trying to hide my embarrassment. Terry smiled over. He looked sorry that he had taken a shot at me. Thankfully, Ally started the meeting, avoiding any further conversation. I kept my gaze away from him during the meeting. Each department gave their update and I took notes, as did Ally.
When it was time for Terry to report about his work in the Art Department, I looked anywhere but at him. Finding a spot on his chest, I kept my eyes glued on the denim shirt he wore. This way, I gave my staff the illusion that I was looking at him when I couldn’t.
I could feel him watching me, but I ignored it.
The meeting was a short one. As soon as it ended, I bolted up from my chair and headed for my office. From behind me, I could hear Terry call my name, but I kept moving.
He was following me to my office, and I was hoping Ally was too so she could field him off. I entered my office and left the door open a crack, using it as a shield.
Terry came storming into my office area, but Ally was quicker. She must have cut Terry off and refused him entrance to my office.
“Can you please move?” Terry asked. “I need to speak with her.”
“Please have a seat and I will see if she is available.” I smiled at her words, thinking to myself, That’s my girl. She certainly always had my back and, sometimes, was a better friend to me than I was to her.
“Come on, don’t pull that fucking assistant crap with me. I want to see her.”
“Terry, you cannot see her until I clear it with her, for a few reasons. One being that this is a professional environment, and you will treat it as such. Secondly, you are an employee of Ms. Blake’s, so watch your mouth. And finally, I’m her assistant, which is about all I get to be lately because I stupidly collaborated with you to protect her. All that did was cause her pain. So sit your ass down, and I’ll see if she can see you now.”
I beamed with pride at Ally’s little speech. She meant more to me than just an assistant. I would make sure to clear that up.
“Yes, ma’am,” Terry drawled.
Ally lightly knocked on the door and waited for me to grant her access before entering. I stepped back from the door before answering. “Come in.”
Once entering my office, Ally shut it and pressed herself against it like the weight of her small frame was somehow going to keep Terry out.
“Are you all right?” I asked her. She looked exhausted.
