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“And I hope that him owning the magazine won’t affect your decision to take a job there. As features writer?”
Happy tears fill my eyes. This has been my dream for so long. “What?”
“I always knew you were a great writer, Lily, but your last article really proved it. You know how much feedback we’ve had about it? It’s been huge. And did you hear that all the puppy farms you featured in your piece have been closed down?”
“What? No!” This is the best news. It makes me prouder than I ever dreamed possible to know that an article I wrote had that kind of impact.
“So. You want to start Monday?”
I swallow down a knot of emotion. Damn those three assholes for ruining my life. I worked hard for this chance, and they shit all over it. “You know I can’t, Julian.”
He grimaces but doesn’t look surprised. “You’ll have nothing to do with him. He has no say in the running ofGenevieve. I hate the prick for what he did to you, but he’s actually been reasonable where the magazine is concerned. He won’t interfere.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “I can’t work for Hellsgate Media. Ever.”
“They own three-quarters of the market, Lily. You’re cutting yourself out of a hell of a lot of opportunities.”
I blink back tears. I know he’s right.
He places his hand over mine, squeezing gently. “This is your dream.”
He’s right about that too, but… “I can’t, Julian. Nobody will ever let me forget what happened.”
He scoffs. “Fuck ’em.”
“Nobody will ever believe that I got the job on my own merit.”
“You’re wrong.” He shakes his head. “Everyone at that magazine knows what a good writer you are, and that has fuck all to do with West Archer. You hold your head high and you rock that job like you were born for it. Because you were. And I know you are strong enough to not give a damn what anybody else thinks.”
“Thank you for the amazing opportunity, Julian, but I can’t.”
The hope in his eyes disappears, and he sits back with a sigh. “I knew you were going to say that.”
Before he can try and persuade me further, our waffles arrive, distracting him with their sugary goodness.
* * *
I trudgedown the hallway toward Jen’s apartment, my heart heavy at having to turn down my dream job. But I will never work for any of those men. I can’t believe how a three-month relationship managed to fuck up my life so royally.
I’m too busy plotting extravagant ways to get my revenge, plans I will never put into action, to notice the man standing outside the apartment until I’m practically on top of him. It’s the wriggling black and tan ball he’s cradling in his arms that steals most of my attention though. Despite my crappy morning, I smile. Who can resist a puppy? Especially one as cute as this one, with its nubby tail wagging and tongue hanging out.
“Well, aren’t you adorable?” I coo, giving the pup a scratch on the head.
“Lily Sloane?”
I tilt my head. “Yeah?”
“Thank god,” he huffs, then dumps the puppy in my arms. “This is for you.”
The bundle of fur licks my face. “What?”
“Need you to sign here.” He holds out a pen and clipboard, like my hands aren’t full of baby Rottweiler.
“No. There’s been some mistake. I didn’t order a puppy.” I hold the squirming dog away from my body, trying to hand it back.
“No mistake. I definitely have the right name and address.” He shakes the pen and clipboard at me.
“I am not signing that. You need to take him back.” The puppy licks my face again, and I sputter.
