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In the middle of reading it, of course, he placed his hand on my upper thigh.
I still remembered so distinctly being immediately horrified, but finishing reading my sentence first. I couldn’t understand why. Maybe as a way to try and convince myself that I was okay. That this moment of shock and horror might go away. I had been completely paralyzed.
But as soon as he started rubbing my thigh, I’d stood up and walked out.
“Obviously, I rejected his advances,” I said. “And the next time I tried showing up to my internship at RTA, they told me I had been dismissed. And then the next time I showed up at class, everyone was congratulating Corbin for landing the internship, because Schilling chose him to replace me.”
My throat briefly tightened when I remembered that day. How gutted I’d felt even before Schilling addressed the class about Corbin, speaking of “hypothetical” situations, and how in this industry, you always had to be ready to seize an opportunity, because you never knew what was going to happen. “The reality is there are often people who get the job, but aren’t actually suited for the position. Sometimes it’s nepotism or luck... or looks…”
For all to see, his eyes landed on me as he said that word.
“I’m going to kill that motherfucker,” Adam said seriously when I got to that part. I laughed.
“Trust me, I had these thoughts. And so did Emily, actually. But you’re not going to kill him. He’s kind
of huge in this town. I don’t think you could get away with it.”
“I’d find a way.”
“Stop,” I snorted.
“I hope you knew then that it was bullshit,” Adam said, changing the subject back fast. “You know you earned that internship.”
The edges of my lips quivered as I adjusted to being serious again.
“I know,” I said softly, my eyes back on the cutting board as I seasoned. “But it still fucks with you a little. It just… robs you of your triumphs, you know? All your achievements. Were they legit or were they just handed to you? I know I earned it, but does everyone else?” Shaking my head, I heaved a big sigh. “It shouldn’t matter what anyone else thinks, right?” I asked with a rueful smile as I looked up at him. “But you know how it is in this town. This industry. It shouldn’t matter. But it does.”
“I know,” Adam said solemnly, still frowning so hard that I just wanted to reach over and touch his face.
God, why does he have to be such a cute listener?
“Is this why you’re so patient about it?” he asked.
“About what? Not getting promoted?” I arched an eyebrow. “Yeah. I mean at the start of every season, Engelman promotes someone, and I’ve seen five go by where it’s not me. Granted, I don’t think I really deserved it till the last few years, but it still sucks to hear the buzz right now being that Davis is going to get it, since he only started last year,” I said honestly. “But I just keep my head down and work, and just stay patient, because I need to know that when I’m rewarded, it’s because I earned it. That nothing was handed to me.”
“Of course,” Adam said, his voice still serious, a murmur. I could feel his gaze on me right now, but I only peered up a little to give him a teasing smile.
“You gonna go crash a car out of anger now?”
He snorted. “Maybe. I’ve definitely never crashed a car into a house before. Where does Schilling live again?”
“Shut up,” I laughed, but quickly, the humor was gone from his face.
“Do I ever make you worry?” Adam asked.
“What do you mean? Do you ever worry me the way Schilling did?” I said incredulously. “Adam, no. Schilling fired me when I wouldn’t sleep with him. He gaslit me and made me doubt my own skills. You’re literally the opposite.”
“Thank God. But how do you mean?”
“Well, with you, I know my employment doesn’t hinge on me sleeping with you, considering we went five years not doing anything close to that,” I said with a smile. “Plus, you’ve given me more responsibility and opportunity than any of my fellow assistants get. I know hundreds of other assistants, Adam. I know not every boss out there is like you.”
I laughed. “Yeah, trust me, I never would’ve guessed you’d be this good of a boss based on my first impression of you.”
“Wow, alright. Well that was nice while it lasted,” he said, pretending to be offended. “And what was your first impression of me?”
“Honestly? That you were hot as fuck, but definitely an asshole that was used to getting away with everything.”
“Accurate.”
