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“Sure.” I open it and thumb through the old-school printouts. Even from a few slides, her copy reads much sharper than before. I smile up at her. “Nice job. You’re getting better.”
“Oh, thanks! I started stalking Twitter trends just like you showed me.”
I nod. “See? All you needed was a little inspiration. You always had the writing chops.”
“Oh my God, I’m so glad you came to work with us, doll.” She leans in with a beaming smile. “I thought I’d been at this too long to learn any new tricks.”
“I’m happy I could help, Cheryl.” My heart flutters.
It’s nice to feel like I’ve actually helped someone.
Cheryl’s eyes trail behind me to Lincoln’s office.
“Hey, I can’t help asking... Have you given any thought to the fake marriage thing?” She suppresses a laugh. “It’s the talk of the whole office. Everyone’s waiting on tenterhooks to see if you and Burns tie the pretend knot.”
Yikes.
“Tell them not to wait up forever. It’s not happening. I wish Anna would just drop it,” I say, unable to keep the irritation out of my voice. Mostly because I’m pissed. I don’t need to be reminded how hilariously interesting it would be to get engaged to my hot cactus of a boss. Or how badly I wanted him to kiss me again that night, how my body ached to the bone when he did, and how he’s not actually a total Saguaro cactus at all.
Ugh. He’s a man who secretly helps his homeless best friend.
He’s a man who makes me brittle with his smolder and he takes me apart with a single muted kiss.
I hate that I wonder why he stopped, regardless of the idiot with the bad muffler.
Did kissing me disappoint him? Did it scare him? Was it just too flipping much?
“Sorry if I struck a nerve,” Cheryl says sheepishly. “Anna told me she’s just using it to tease Burns since he hates it so much. Or maybe she hopes you’ll both just do it to shut her up.”
I roll my eyes. I like Anna well enough, but what the hell? Is this multibillion-dollar company junior high school again?
“Ask Anna how much she likes being teased,” I hiss.
“Oh, I think the boss already did that, doll. He tore into her a couple days after that meeting. I don’t think she meant anything nefarious by it, though. She just thought we’d gain tons of traction, and isn’t that the goal these days?”
She isn’t wrong.
Still. Some lines can’t be crossed just for internet clout.
“Mr. Burns is rather strict about not fraternizing with the staff. He was probably upset by the suggestion,” I say, grateful that my boss is a decent guy in the office when he’s not hellbent on pissing me off.
“No, he was pretty adamant that Anna should apologize for embarrassing you and also make sure you didn’t feel like she was told to apologize,” Cheryl tells me with a frown.
“What? Why would he do that?” My eyebrows shoot up.
Cheryl shrugs. “I don’t know, but he went in pretty hot.”
Interesting. I honestly don’t know whether I feel protected or annoyed.
Then, as if saying her name calls her, I hear the click of high heels and a voice that’s definitely running on a double shot of espresso.
“Party at Dakota’s desk!” Anna runs up and rests her hands on the walls of my cubicle. “Is Mr. Burns in?”
“Yeah, but he’s still on a call, I think.”
Cheryl picks up the manila folder from my desk and hands it to Anna. “I have some new social media copy.”
“Great!” Anna opens the folder and starts flicking through it, laughing intermittently. “These are cute. Way to step up the game, Cheryl. The wedding campaign’s on track—well, aside from one thing.” She lifts her head and looks at me pointedly. “I just wish we had a unique hook. A personal touch. Something Vera and the other big brands couldn’t top to save their lives.”
I try not to glare at her. It’s painfully obvious what she means.
“Careful. I told her the boss demanded an apology,” Cheryl says with mock humor like she’s trying to diffuse the whole thing.
It’s not working.
Anna smiles down at me.
“Sorry. It’s a nonstarter,” I say, hating that I always feel compelled to apologize.
“Dakota, everyone notices how you two play off of each other,” Cheryl says.
“He’s ripped and loaded. Just bat your eyes and go along with it. Hell, maybe push for an extra performance bonus. Do you have any clue how many ladies in this office would love to be in your position for free?” Anna says sweetly.
Heat throbs under my face. I bury my head in my hands, willing myself to disappear before I open my eyes again.
Didn’t work.
I’m still here, being tormented by people who are supposed to be on my side.
“That’s enough, you two,” I say, trying to lay down the law. “I have my reasons for not wanting to be a stand-in bride. We’re just not interested and I—”
