“Christ, Lana. It’s not like that at all and you know it.” He raked a frustrated hand through his blonde hair. Turning his back on her, he had to calculate his next words, or he’d blow this more than it already was. “I wouldn’t…” he sighed. “Look, none of this... I’d never do that to you.” He knew it was the lamest excuse ever and if his words didn’t even make sense to him, how could they mean anything to her? He tried again. “I thought I could convince my boss to hire you for the job at the firm, Lana, but he went in a different direction. I’m still too new at this firm to have much clout yet to sway his decision.” He tried to reach for her again but she sidestepped his advance.
“Don’t!” She held up a finger, warding him off and he let his hand fall away from her. “I came down here expecting to get this job, Austin. I would have never moved here if I knew this would be the outcome. It’s not just about the job...” Despite her best efforts, a tear fell down her rosy cheek. But she wiped it away. Annoyed, she let her defenses fall.
“What is it, Lana? Talk to me, baby.” Austin tried again, but she turned her back on him.
“I heard everything that no good, piece of shit boss of yours said about me. Let’s see…” Her voice was stronger now, but she was still upset. She whirled back around and anger flashed in her eyes, glazed over with tears, as she ticked off the reasons on her well-manicured fingers. “‘I wouldn’t give her a job as the firm’s events coordinator if someone paid me to.’ ‘She is completely unprofessional looking.’ ‘I wouldn’t hire her to represent this firm to my clients.’ ‘Are you sure she’d be able to set up a buffet for our events without sampling everything on the menu first?’”
Austin closed his eyes and shook his head. Fuck. He couldn’t believe she’d heard all the disgusting things his boss said about her weight. “Christ, Lana. I… I didn’t know you heard all that bullshit, babe. I’m sorry.”
She shook her head, her voice on the verge of shrill. “You didn’t know I heard it!? Damn near everyone in the office heard it, Austin!” Her tears fell freely now, and she either didn’t notice or didn’t give a damn. She was pissed and her anger was targeted right at him. He tried to reach out again though he already knew what her answer would be. “Do not even try to touch me or... or offer lame apologies, Austin. You didn’t stick up for me, not one time in there. Is this how you’ve felt about me this whole time we were together?”
“Of course not! You know how I feel about you, Lana. I went to bat for you. I asked him to hire you because I care about you. Okay, I know what I said. I know I promised the job, but after I spoke with the powers that be, he told me the firm wanted someone more seasoned. You haven’t been working in the industry long enough for what they are looking for. I’m sorry, I know you had your heart set on this, but there was nothing I could do.”
She shook her head. “Are you kidding me right now!? It wasn’t just lack of experience! I don’t fit the image of your uppity firm. Admit it. I’m not the perfect size-two blonde for all the investors to gawk at. You knew before you even told me about the position. Why would you set me up for failure!? Why would you do that to someone you say you care about? You lied! You lied about us!”
He shook his head. “Lana, I don’t know what to say. I’m just telling you what he told me. You know If it were my decision, I would hire you in a minute. I love—”
“Don’t you dare say it! And don’t worry about keeping your word. I won’t be around to embarrass you in front of your colleagues any longer. I’m going back home.” She picked up her bag and her heels from his office floor. “No need to show me out. I know the way.”
“Lana, are you going back to our house? Will I see you when I come home tonight?” He knew the answer before he even asked the question.
“No. I’m going back to Cherry Hill to fulfill my dreams. I don’t need your charity case, pity party, or anything else any longer.”
She turned and left him standing in the middle of his office floor, mouth agape, heart broken.
***
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About the Author
Author Hadley Raydeen has been editing Romance and Erotica for nearly ten years and is working on getting several of her manuscripts published. By day she is Human Resources professional at night she lets loose with sordid tales of romance and sexy times.
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