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Themorning went by like every other,Lilygetting caught up in the rhythm of her work.Herfeet were killing her.Whyshe had to wear her three-inch pumps in the office instead of her sneakers was a crime against humanity.Butthe dress code was professional at all times.
Thethinking was that one never knew when a call from a high-end client would require a face-to-face. “Thinkof yourself as aGirlScout,” her boss,Chelsea, had said during orientation. “Beprepared.”
Lilywondered if podiatry care was included in her health plan.
“Hey,Lily.Nolunch break today?”
Herco-worker,GayleErikksonleaned over the partition between them.Noone knew how oldGayleactually was.IfLilywere to venture a guess she’d put her at sixty . . . going on thirty.
Lilymade an effort not to stare at her unnaturally long eyelashes.Werethey fake or a result of that serum, the latest fad to take off?Shecouldn’t bring herself to ask.Instead, she focused onGayle’sblood red lipstick. “Nah, it’s too darn hot outside.I’llgrab something from the vending machine.”
“Didn’tyour mom ever teach you to eat healthy meals?”
Lilybroke eye contact.Hermotherhadtaught her that.Whenshe was a kid.Butshe’d been gone for ten years now. “Yeah, she did.”
“Whythe sad face?Everythinggoing okay withPeter?”
Ofall the people on the planet,Gaylewas the last woman with whom she would share anything personal.ThoughGaylewas a warm, caring person, she was the office gossip.Notoriouslyso.ThethingsLilyheard from her over the five years she’d been with the company would blow most people’s eardrums.Interestingly,Lilyknew little to nothing aboutGayle’spersonal life. “Everything’sgreat.”
Gayleoffered a skeptical look then smiled, sweetly. “Oh, good.I’llsend you my address.Forthe invitation, that is.”Shebatted her eyelashes, nearly sending her airborne.
Lilylaughed, good-naturedly even as the reference to a wedding,herwedding, made her antsy.Itwas the natural progression for her relationship withPeter.They’dbeen together since meeting at a real estate conference inVegasfive years ago.Afterhearing she was unhappy at her previous job, he had called a work contact and landed her an interview at her current firm.She’dbeen working there ever since.
“Sure, text it to me.”Lilysaid, standing.Shewaved goodbye toGayle, effectively ending the conversation, watching as her co-worker strode to the elevator, handbag in tow.Lilymade her way to the vending machine in search of an unhealthy lunch.
Tenminutes later, she was settled back in her cubicle, a bag ofCheetos, candy bar, and aDietCokein hand.Mostpeople were at lunch, away from their desks, the ringing phones temporarily quieting.
“Ican’t possibly go!Mymother’s surgery is scheduled, andIneed to be here for her.”
Lilyturned to see the door to her boss’s office was left ajar.SeemedChelseahad also chosen to work through lunch.
Herboss was a fickle woman, occasionally friendly, the rest of the time, curt and dismissive.Eachmorning was a crapshoot.
Snippetsof conversation seeped through the door,Chelsea’svoice tinged with concern.Intrigued,Lily’sears perked up.Theurgency inChelsea’stone ignited a flicker of curiosity which was quickly replaced by a pang of guilt for eavesdropping.
Thenagain,Chelseahad left her door open.Thisis my desk, after all.
Chelsea’svoice raised by an octave. “Yes,Iknow the project must be completed on time!Listen,I’llcome up with something.I’llget back to you asap.”
Chelseaconcluded the call,Lilyhearing her boss mutter a profanity.Then, the sound of footsteps reached her.
“Lily?Isthat you?”
IfLilycould crawl under her desk, she would have.Butthere was nowhere to hide.Sheclosed her eyes, and feigning innocence, stood, showing herself above the partition. “Oh, hi,Chelsea.Nolunch out today?”
Chelseafrowned, her mind clearly elsewhere. “No, not today.Ibrought something from home.”
“CanIhelp with anything?”
“Nothank?—”
Chelseapaused, the wheels turning rapidly behind her bespectacled eyes. “CanIsee you in my office, please?”
Lilyfelt a flutter of nerves.Thosewords always made her feel like she was about to get the ax. “Sure,I’llbe right in.”
Lilytook a deep breath, closed the file she’d been working on and made her way into the lion’s den.
ChapterThree
