My heart thuds out an accelerated beat. She can’t actually be asking me to do this. “So you want me to, what, just hang out with Seth twice a week for the next ten weeks?”
“Some tasks you’ll still have to complete on your own—therapy, for example, and the one-night stand, of course.” She throws me a piercing look. “But anytime you can do it together, you will. Think about what this kind of attention could do for you. TheChroniclewill surely take notice.”
Yeah, but at what cost? I told Seth I never wanted to see him again, and I meant it. “I don’t think I can do this, Natasha.”
“You can. And you will. I already talked to Seth. He knows you’ll be reaching out to set up a schedule.” She gestures toward the door, dismissing me.
“Seriously? I don’t get any say in this?” Natasha has never been the soft and fluffy kind of boss, but she’s also never dismissed my concerns out of hand like this.
“I’m beholden to a bigger boss now, Lana. This is my final decision.” A trace of sympathy flashes in her small smile, but it’s gone a heartbeat later.
I push out of my chair, too stunned to storm out of her office.
Seth:Assuming you’ve unblocked me and this message goes through, what tasks do you want to tackle first?
Lana:You’re unblocked. For now. I don’t care which, as long as it’s fast. Which of yours can we do quickly?
Seth:Easy. Furniture. I need some. I’d like to sit on something other than a milk crate.
Lana:Wow. Milk crate, huh? Very grown-up.
Seth:In my defense, I’ve been living out of a suitcase for the past six years, and before that I was living with my parents. I’m kinda starting from scratch here.
Lana:Stellar defense.
Lana:I’m free tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at 10.
Seth:And for your first task?
Lana:I was hoping you’d forgotten.
Seth:Not a chance.
Lana:Ugh. I guess I’ll get the blind date over with. I’m sure Corey or James has someone they could set me up with.
Seth:I’ll be taking care of the date portion.
Lana:I don’t want to date you.
Seth:Yeah, obviously. Same.
Seth:But don’t worry. I have the perfect guy in mind.
Lana:Mansplainer?
Lana:Gym devotee?
Lana:Misogynist?
Seth:The whole point of the date is to go in blind.
Lana:Oh fuck, all three?
Seth:Do you think, at least for the duration of the time we’re being forced to spend together, we can put the combat on hold?
Lana:Scared?
Seth:No.
