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Would I have ignored those warnings and spent the night with him anyway? Absolutely. But I would have known what I was getting myself into. At least partially.
My phone buzzes on my desk. I pick it up to find a message from Eloise in our group chat.
Eloise:
Tonight, we’re coming. There is no more hiding from us, Danielle Marie!!!
Oh shit, she full-named me. Damn it, I really thought they’d forget I’ve been skirting around them for days now. After I found out my boss was my unforgettable one-night stand on Monday, I made the excuse that I had to work late and couldn’t meet them all week. I’ve been avoiding them since. Because I don’t know If I’m ready for them to know I fucked my boss—or rather that I let my boss fuck the hell out of me.
Me:
Can we make it tomorrow? I’m really tired. It’s been a long week.
I send my reply and leave my phone on my desk. Then I stand, exit my office, and make my way to the kitchen—one of the best perks of this job. It’s always fully stocked with pastries, cookies, cakes, and just about any kind of drink you could want. I make myself a cup of tea and carefully carry it back to my desk. Sitting down, I pick up my phone and groan when I see the influx of replies.
Eloise:
Not a chance.
Claire:
Too late. I’ve already bought the tequila.
Daisy:
I’ve got the limes.
Me:
Okay, but I am tired, so I’m not promising I’ll be the best of company.
Daisy:
You could be in a coma and you’d still be great company.
I laugh. Maybe a night with my girlfriends is what I need to rebalance myself. Hit the reset button on everything and get back to me just being me. I put down my phone and look at the clock. One hour to go. I have one more hour before I can leave this place and escape everything that is Alistair Warner.
Bringing my tea to my lips, I notice a small black gift box sitting in front of my keyboard. I look up at the door like the answer to how this got here is going to miraculously appear. It’s not.
So I lower my cup and pick up the box.
My heart pounds as nerves unsettle me before I slowly lift the lid and peer inside. There’s a card. I pull it out and read the logo printed in red foiled lettering.Fire and Ice.Then I see the word ‘guest’ written on the back. Something sparkles from inside the box and catches my eye. Reaching in, I find a diamond tennis bracelet with a heart-shaped padlock around it. This is too heavy to be costume jewellery. My fingers run across the diamonds, before I turn the piece over and read the initials ‘AW’ engraved into the platinum on the underside of the heart.
He has to be kidding me. I can’t accept this. I carefully return the bracelet to the box and place the card back on top. I close the lid and push the entire thing to the side of my desk. I’m working up the courage to go and shove his gift in his face. To tell him that I can’t accept it. That I don’t want it.
As pretty as that bracelet is, I can’t take it.
An email pings on my computer, and I decide to open it before I go and face my boss.
* * *
Sender: Alistair Warner
Subject: Invitation
Dear Miss Hutchinson,
I trust you’ve received my invitation for tonight. Meet me at nine p.m.
