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I sigh and shove on my shoes, hissing and grimacing when I put weight on my feet. I hold my head high, trying to remain calm and collected as I reenter the pyramid, flashing my badge towards the guard. Lauren and Dr. Arnaud are standing near the closet with our bags. Arnaud’s hands are crossed, andshe looks irritated as she stares down at Lauren.
“Ah, Miss Miller, you’re finally here.”
I want to tell her I was finally taking my lunch break, but I bite my tongue, knowing the only way to win bees is with honey. Forcing a smile, I murmur, “Sorry,” and wait for her to give us her final farewells. Seeing how work is supposed to end at four, I assume she has nothing more for us to attend to.
“I was just telling Lauren, we need to attend to the records, but apparently she has other plans.”
Lauren winces, glancing at me before sliding her gaze back to Dr. Arnaud. “I’m so sorry. I thought the internship ended at four every day.”
My brows furrow and I turn toward the doctor. “I thought the same.”
Dr. Arnaud sighs and shakes her head. “I swear, every year they sound more and more bratty little kids,” she mutters.
I swallow, trying to fight the nerve to either cry or scream. I have been working my bottom off all day, running from one side to the museum to the other; helping with the documents, cleaning the portraits, rewriting the descriptions, helping tourists find their way around when I had no clue what I was talking about.
Now, now, Rachel, I admonish myself, you are in Paris. You have a freaking internship in Paris. Stop acting like a spoiled little girl.
“Well, I suppose I can let you go early today, if you have plans,” says Dr. Arnaud while placing her hands behind her. “But tomorrow, know that you are here until five. And,” she turns to Lauren, her gaze narrowing, “try to be on time.”
Lauren nods so sharply, I expect her neck to snap. “Yes, of course, Dr. Arnaud.”
Dr. Arnaud gives us one more hard look before turning down the hall, leaving Lauren and I alone, in the lobby. Well, I guess, not alone, since there are so many tourists, but more alone that we’ve been since the morning.
Lauren scowls in my direction before huffing and turning on her heel. “I can’t believe I have to spend my whole summer with you,” she calls while she strides briskly away.
I glare at her back, stalking towards her since it’s the only way out of this building. “I thought we weren’t talking to each other.”
Lauren rolls her eyes.
“And what was with giving me the wrong directions to the Mona Lisa?” I stumble in my heels, finding any brief movement in my shoes excruciatingly painful. “That was complete bullshit.”
Lauren laughs bitterly and shoves open the door. “You would’ve known if you were here yesterday.”
She does have a point, but there’s no way I’m going to tell her that. “Like you’re any better than me,” I say while trudging out into the sun, holding a hand up to my face to protect my eyes from the rays. “You were late today.”
Lauren spins around, her face contorted into a mixture of frustration and rage. “By like five minutes. At least I didn’t skip a whole meeting, because I was dilly-dallying around.”
“I was not dilly-dallying around!” I shout while throwing my hands into the air. I feel the stairs of several tourists watching us and quickly lower my hands, my face either heating due to the summer’s rays or embarrassment. Perhaps both.
“Oh, really,” says Lauren while placing her hands on her hips and giving me a knowing look. “Then what were you doing, Rachel?”
I open my mouth, not knowing exactly what to tell her. I can’t tell her I brought the bros, knowing what she would think; that I’m a whore, that I spread my legs for anyone. I know she thinks those things about me. It’s the reason why our friendship fell apart. The reason why she is taking Josh’s side in the whole sexual harassment case I reported to the police several months ago. I can tell her it was jet lag, that I took a nap and didn’t wake up until the next day.
It could happen to anyone.
Just when I’m about to say that very thing, I see a familiar face appear behind Lauren, looking around aimlessly before settling his blue eyes on me. His lips twitch upwards into a bright smile and he raises his hand, waving at me while walking forward.
“Rachel!” Hunter shouts. The wind whips his hair around and he quickly pushes the locks back.
I grimace, watching Lauren turn around and give a curt nod. She turns back to me, smiling bitterly before saying, “I see.” She looks me up and down with a sneer. “So that’s who you were doing yesterday.”
My shoulders slump and I feel myself deflate, unable to fight her any longer. I know I shouldn’t apologize. I haven’t done anything wrong. I can date whomever I want. I can be with my guys if I want. We’re happy together and who cares what the world thinks.
Yet, somehow, as Lauren continues staring at me, I feel like she wants an apology from me and I don’t understand why. I haven’t done anything to her. If anything, the only one who is suffering from my actions is Josh, but that’s because I have decided I will never let him attack another woman ever again.
Lauren shakes her head and stalks past me. I let her go, not wanting to continue whatever it is we were doing. She can be upset if she wants. Right now, all I want is a bear hug from my Hunter and a very large coffee.
Or ice cream.
