“It’s quite a huge one.” He pulled a pair of cufflinks from his pocket. “I was hoping you could tell me if you thought these were shiny enough for my photoshoot with GQ this weekend, or if you thought I should have them polished before then.”
OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD! “Are you being serious right now?”
“Yes.” He smirked. “They need to look good in all the pictures. Don’t you think?”
“You just made me miss out on sex for this?”
“No, I made you miss out on a disappointment,” he said, stepping closer. “I wouldn’t want you to fuck someone while thinking about someone else the entire time. Besides—” He lowered his voice and whispered into my ear, “He strikes me as an intern, and we both know that’s not your type.”
He moved back and looked me over, pinning me to the spot with his heated gaze. “I’m not sure if I’ve ever told you, Miss Lauren, but I don’t appreciate being ignored.”
“Noted,” I said, hating that my panties were soaking wet. “I’m not sure if I’ve ever told you that I hate you—”
“You say it every day.” He smiled and started to walk away. Then he stopped and looked over his shoulder. “I’ll take my coffee with you on all fours tomorrow morning.”
“What did you just say?”
“You heard me.”
Two Full Years Later
Eleven
Tara
Subject: Your Birthday Party (Sorry I Won’t Be There)
Hey, Mariah!
I’m so sorry that I won’t be able to attend your birthday party this weekend. I know it’s the big 3-0, and Ava and I promised that we would both be there in Vegas with you, but I won’t be able to make it.
I have to go with my boss to Belgium for a business trip.
Please send pictures!
Tara Lauren,
Executive Assistant to Preston Parker,
CEO of Parker International
* * *
Subject: Your Wedding (Can’t Make It)
Hey, Britney!
I know you traveled all the way to New York last month with your tailor to get me fitted for a bridesmaid dress, but I won’t be able to be in your wedding next month.
Three people have quit at my office, and my boss is taking me to Spain for an emergency strategy meeting for a new hotel he’s building there.
Please send pictures!
Tara Lauren,
Executive Assistant to Preston Parker,
CEO of Parker International
* * *
Subject: Your Graduation Tomorrow (I’m SO Sorry!)
Hey, Greg!
Thank you so much for inviting me to your graduation! I know that we’ve been friends since we were seven and you’ve done nothing but talk about getting your Ph.D. since we were in high school, so congratulations on finally reaching that milestone!
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it, as I’m still in Seattle with my boss and we’re getting slammed with new marketing work for a campaign. (If you get another Ph.D., I’ll definitely be at that graduation …)
Please send pictures!
Tara Lauren,
Executive Assistant to Preston Parker,
CEO of Parker International
* * *
Subject: Your Baby Shower (Can I Still Be the Godmother?)
Hey there, Elise!
Thank you so much for picking me to be the godmother of Baby Chase! I’m so excited for him to arrive this fall!
I know your baby shower is in four weeks, but I’m letting you know that I won’t be able to make it. My boss has just booked three back-to-back international tours. (I’m sending tons of diapers and onesies, though!)
Tara Lauren,
Executive Assistant to Preston Parker,
CEO of Parker International
* * *
Subject: Winners Never Quit (Excuse My Language)
Just curious, Mom …
Does your trademark phrase apply when someone is working for an asshole boss who is singlehandedly ruining her social life? Yes or no?
Tara Lauren,
Executive Assistant to Preston Parker,
CEO of Parker International
* * *
Subject: Re: Winners Never Quit (Excuse My Language)
Did you mean to send this to me instead of your mother?
Preston Parker,
CEO & Owner of Parker International
* * *
Subject: Re: Re: Winners Never Quit (Excuse My Language)
YES.
Tara Lauren,
Executive Assistant to Preston Parker,
CEO of Parker International
Twelve
Preston
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
There had to be a word in the dictionary that was far stronger than “torture.” A word that perfectly captured how it felt to have the world at my fingertips, with the ability to get whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, except the one thing I wanted most. The one thing that was always right next to me, all day, every day.
Except when she’s purposely “running late” …
Looking outside the windows of The Coast Bar, I watched rain pelt the white sands of the beach, wondering just how late Tara was going to be to our private lunch today. Annoyed, I picked up my phone to see if she’d sent me an email, and noticed an unread message.
* * *
Subject: Don’t Forget About Us
Dear Mr. Parker,
I want you to know that I still have plenty of space for you in my heart, just like I know you still have space for me in yours. I know there’s a certain someone who has become an obstacle for us lately with her changes in office protocol. (How dare she take away my walk-in privileges?!), but I’m still here for you whenever you need me.
I miss you, and I know you miss me.
Cynthia Avery
Executive Receptionist,
Parker International
PS—I sent you a new picture last night. Is my number still blocked? (You’ll be highly upset with yourself if you missed this one—wink wink.)
* * *
Jesus Christ …
I deleted her email and set down my phone. The last thing I wanted to do during a business trip was deal with anyone back in New York. And while I’d never admit it, I loved that Tara had instituted new policies, so I hardly ever saw Cynthia or any of my auxiliary staff, unless I specifically wanted to. She even moved all of the receptionists and secretaries to the floor below us, leaving the executive floor specifically for C-level executives.
She’d been more upset with me than usual lately, and she was giving me her twisted version of the silent treatment.
Ever since that night in her condo’s hallway over a year ago, she’d wedged some distance between us. She avoided being alone with me on elevators—getting off on the next floor the moment I stepped onto the car. She insisted on having interns on the floor with us whenever I asked her to stay late, and she answered every one of my late-night phone calls with an “I want you to know I’m recording every single word of this conversation for Human Resources, Mr. Parker.”