Page 64 of Hating the Boss

“Aww. Poor baby.” I said dramatically. “I think you’ll survive another ten minutes.”

“Doubtful,” she muttered before pulling three bowls from the upper cabinets, along with three matching plates.

She and Jessica began setting our small wood dining table as I finished heating up the soup. Once we were seated, between bites of buttery bread and melted cheese, we caught up on Brittany’s latest dress designs and Jessica talked all about her new motorized chair. It was nice to be with them. It had been a few weeks since we had all been together.

Jessica dabbed her mouth with a napkin and looked at me suddenly. “I forgot to tell you. A few boxes came for you today. I put them in your bedroom.”

“Boxes?” I asked in surprise. I wasn’t expecting anything.

“Yeah, they were fancy too. White with black ribbon.”

“You didn’t have to carry them,” I said worriedly.

“I can do anything now with this thing.” She tapped the chair proudly.

I nodded, trying to swallow that familiar worry down as I wondered what could have been delivered. Then I thought of it.

Brad. He had said he would make sure I had everything I needed. I had forgotten about it, figuring I would scramble tomorrow to try and figure out something to wear to the gala.

“What did you get?” asked Brittany, casting a curious glance at the open door of my bedroom. I could see her mouth twitching with a smile, eager to see.

I wiped my hands from butter, and made a run for my bedroom with Brittany and Jessica right on my heels, laughing loudly. I jumped onto my bed excitedly, making the boxes bounce.

“Oh, my gosh!” exclaimed Brittany. “These are from Bergdorf Goodman!”

“Who and who?” asked Jessica with a laugh, as she rolled over to the foot of my bed.

Brittany hopped on the bed next to me. “Open them!” she said, clapping her hands excitedly.

I pulled the biggest box onto my lap, surprised by the weight of it. I pulled the lid off the box and carefully unfolded the black tissue paper. Underneath lay a champagne gown with black beading. I sucked in a breath as I held it up. It was beautiful, with layers of fabric that hung like petals down the A-line skirt.

“That’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen,” said Brittany in awe, running her fingers carefully over the beaded bodice.

Jessica grabbed another box and pulled off the lid to reveal a pair of black strappy shoes with red soles. They were the perfect pair of shoes for the dress. Classic and elegant.

Feeling overwhelmed, my hand shook as I slid another box onto my lap. This one was much smaller and as I yanked off the lid, I gasped. Nestled inside was a necklace strewn with diamonds that shone even under the dull overhead light of my bedroom. At the center of it sat a large diamond, the color of a starless night, yet it glimmered even more than the smaller diamonds accompanying it.

“This can’t be real,” I whispered, scared to touch it.

“Who the hell sent all this?” asked Brittany, her eyes wide as she looked from the necklace to me.

I could feel the heat creep to my cheeks at the thought of Brad, and knew I couldn’t hide it anymore. Jessica and Brittany looked at me expectantly.

“I’m sort of seeing someone…” I said, biting back a smile.

Brittany squealed loudly. “What! When? Who?” she bombarded me with excited questions.

“It’s all new. I don’t know if it’s anything yet…” I said, trying not to get wrapped up in her excitement. I could feel Jessica eyeing me with a curious wariness.

“Enough with the vagueness,” said Jessica. “Spill it.”

I took a deep breath and told them everything. Brittany had already known about me accepting the deal to pose as Brad’s fiancée, but my sister didn’t, which was why she looked at me with her mouth open in shock. I went on to tell them about the late nights at the office. How it had been reckless, but was the best sex I had ever had.

“You naughty little thing!” said Brittany, giving me a shove.

I laughed nervously and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, still feeling my sister’s gaze on me. I squirmed slightly under it, wondering what she was thinking.

I continued on, telling them about Monday’s date, or whatever it was, and how it had changed something between us.