“Another Bloody Mary Christmas?” the bartender asked, his eyes wide in shock at what I assumed was my swaying body and sloppy smirk. The punny beverage had become my drink of choice at the holiday party.
“You know me so well,” I replied with a wink. I tried to be professional today. I really did. I did the whole small talk thing with my coworkers and smiled when comments about the new managing editor came up. Many people were surprised that I didn’t get the promotion, and although that should have made me feel better, it didn’t. It actually made the entire situation worse. It wasn’t all in my head. I really did deserve this job, so why did Vaughn give it to his baby brother?
Vaughn’s family had old money and was well-known in the city. This media company was just one of their many streams of income. I understood why they wanted to keep things in the family, but still thought he could have started out at a lower position and worked his way up. He didn’t even seem like he wanted the job. The man child was sitting on his phone and taking selfies in the corner all night, not even bothering to chat with his future employees.
“Another drink?” Vaughn asked beside me. I swallowed. I hadn’t even seen him approach me.
I’d been avoiding my boss all night, but it didn’t stop me from ogling him from afar. Vaughn fucking Richards was too damn sexy for his own good. He had olive skin, brown hair and a coarse beard that I wanted to run my hand over regularly. He was tall. Polished. Hardworking. Every woman in this city had a gigantic lady boner for him—me included.
He came from a wealthy family. Was hardworking. Had a classic sense of style, and his bright smile was dangerous. Very dangerous. We’d worked closely over the years, and what started as a crush grew to something much deeper with time. It terrified me. I’d wanted to tell him how I felt, but worried about the consequences. His rejection would crush me.
“I’m just really enjoying the open bar,” I replied with a hiccup before turning to face him. God, he was so beautiful. It honestly should be illegal to look that good in a suit. His eyes danced playfully as he took me in.
“I like your dress, Sena,” he whispered. “Reminds me of that banquet we attended incognito. That story put Jet Times back on the map.”
“Ah, the mafia bust?” I asked. That truly was a fun time. We’d gotten dressed up and had a front row seat to the FBI’s raid of one of the largest criminal organizations in the world. When we broke the story first, Vaughn had champagne delivered by the case to the office. Everyone got a bottle.
“You seem off lately, is everything okay?” he asked. I hated his kindness. Vaughn was a good boss. He was always checking on his employees. He implemented a lot of ethical practices for the company, encouraging paternity leave and providing one of the best health insurance packages money could buy. He was a good man; it’s why I didn’t understand why he hired his brother. He had to know he was underqualified. I could list five people who had been working for the Jet Times who deserved the job more than he did—me included.
“I was just shocked by your announcement today,” I admitted.
Vaughn’s brow rose. “Oh?”
“Your brother is fresh out of college. He didn’t even intern here last summer, Vaughn.”
His face turned sour, and he turned his attention to the bartender. “Whiskey on the rocks, please.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course he would avoid this. “I’m not trying to be rude here, I just thought—”
“That you deserved it?” His eyes were far too playful for my tastes. The corner of his lip quirked in a way that made me feel childish. He could have patted me on the head to complete the patronizing effect.
“Well, yeah, Vaughn. We’ve worked together for almost seven years. You know I’m capable. I just thought you saw how fit I was for this promotion since we’ve worked so closely together. We were in Iraq together. We covered the Zika virus in Brazil. You’ve always liked getting your feet wet with a story. No other publication has an editor in chief willing to leave his cozy corner office and get in the trenches. I thought we bonded over that. I thought—”
“We’ve done a lot together, Sena,” Vaughn whispered, his voice a low rasp. I had to force myself not to imagine romantic affection in his tone. We weren’t like that. I knew Vaughn didn’t want me. If he did, he would have acted on it by now. Vaughn was the type of man to go after what he wanted. He didn’t hold back with anything in his life. Relationships and women were no different. “Look,” he began, “I stand by my decision. I think my brother will do great. You’re my best girl, Sena. This place couldn’t run without you. We can talk more about this later, okay? I have to go.”
The tears forming in my eyes made my vision blurry. Maybe Adam was right. Maybe I was clinging to this job for Vaughn and not for my love of Jet Times. Vaughn passing me up for this opportunity felt like a betrayal, but more so, this felt like confirmation that I was willing to settle for a stagnant career that was going nowhere for a chance with Vaughn. I’d seen all my friends take on better jobs and climb the ladder of success. I’d turned down opportunities for this man because I couldn’t stomach the thought of not working with him. How else was I going to spend time with him? I put my life on pause for a coworker who wouldn’t—couldn’t—love me back. And I didn’t even have the right to be angry with him. I allowed myself to get stuck in this role. Not anymore.
I guzzled my drink and grabbed another. My phone pinged, and I pulled it out of my pocket.
Mary: Happy Holidays, Love! When are you going to come work for me? I saw Jet Times hired an infant as their new managing editor.
I chewed on my lip and stared at the fuzzy screen for a moment while blinking. After a moment’s deliberation, I started typing with sluggish fingers.
Me: Lets do this thanggg. I aceptty.
Mary immediately replied.
Mary: I’m assuming you’re drunk, but I don’t care. I’m taking this and running with it. Check your email in the morning for your official offer. I’ll include a pretty nice moving stipend. You’re going to love it!
Oh shit. I actually did it. I was going to move to San Francisco.
The feedback of a speaker made me jump, and I spun around to face the front of the room where my boss stood, clutching a glass of whiskey and wearing a smile. “Hello, everyone,” his smooth voice said. “I wanted to thank you all for being here.” I grabbed my drink and took a gulp. I was totally drunk. “Jet Times has had many accomplishments this year. Our team has ethically and efficiently climbed the journalism ranks not only in this great city, but across the country. We couldn’t have done it without the hard work of everyone in this room.”
I snorted into my drink, making a nearby reporter take a step away from me. I was all aboard the hot mess express and surprisingly didn’t give two fucks about it. “I was the team lead for most of the reports that made the front page, but whatever. Let’s hire the incompetent man child who probably still spends his weekends at the frat house,” I murmured into my drink. Someone cleared their throat.
Vaughn fucking Richards continued his speech. “I am so excited to start the new year with my brother by my side. I know that he will excel here at the Jet Times. I also know you all will welcome him with open arms. We all feel like family here.”