Page 66 of Dirty Boss

She was waiting for me on that old velvet couch, her hair a wild mess of curls, her ears bejeweled with gold rings and studs, her clothing oversized and fabulously chic. She stood when I entered and said, “Get over here, you little horndog.”

I laughed, embarrassed, as a few heads turned. My new friend wrapped me in a hug and sat me down beside her, where I noticed there was a vanilla latte waiting.

“Thank you,” I told her, gesturing to the drink.

“I didn’t want to waste any time.” She smacked the side of my thigh. “Now. Start from the beginning. You and Vaughn…?”

Deena and I had been messaging back and forth ever since we met, so I’d told her about my adventures. She knew I was working for Vaughn and knew that I found him attractive. Now her eyes glimmered, and I worried she might be a bad influence on me.

I told her the whole sordid tale and ended by giving her my phone so she could read the messages from James.

“Are you sure it’s him?” she asked, eyes traveling from my phone screen to my face.

“Who else would it be?”

Deena bit her lip, and the skin below her teeth went white. Then she blew out a raspberry and shook her head. “Girl, this is a mess.”

I groaned and slumped on the couch. Unbidden, my mother’s voice echoed in my mind:Sit up straight, Alba. Cross your ankles. You look like a slob.

I’d shifted into a proper seated position before I even registered what I was doing—and then cursed myself. I couldn’t even have a conversation with a friend without being judged by the memory of my mother.

That’s when I noticed Deena was typing on my phone.

“What are you doing?” I screeched, reaching for the device.

Deena cackled, angling her body so I couldn’t grab the phone. “One second! I’m just answering him.”

“Stop! Don’t!”

My phone buzzed in her hands and she hummed, throwing me a mischievous look over her shoulder. Her thumbs flew over the screen.

“Deena,” I growled.

“Calm down,” she said, handing me my phone back, a giggle slipping through her lips.

I blinked at the screen. Three new messages had appeared in the chat: two from me (Deena), one from James.

Me

Sure, I’ll see you.

James

Time and place, babe. I’m there.

Me

When we’re both dead I’ll see you in hell. Asshole.

I slammed my phone down on the couch cushion beside me and slapped my hand over my face. Deena cackled, leaning her head against my shoulder. Despite my best efforts, a giggleslipped through my lips. Laughing would only encourage her…but then again, laughing felt good.

I smacked the back of my hand against the side of her thigh, and Deena laughed harder.

“You’re awful,” I complained.

“I’m awesome.”

“That too.” I grinned at her, shook my head, and leaned forward to take a bracing sip of my coffee. I turned my phone around and took a peek at the screen. There were three dots below my last message, indicating that James was typing. Not wanting to hear anything else from him, I quickly tapped his number and blocked him. Then I let out a sigh.