Barrett’s earlier words rang through my head as I gripped the cold metal. Be more careful, Ms. Julian.
As I stepped inside, I was greeted with laughter and joy, happy hour in full swing. The tavern was crowded, bodies crammed into the confined space.
I navigated the hoards with ease, noting a few cuties along the way. Meeting a guy while looking like a drowned sewer rat wasn't likely, but a girl could dream.
Luckily, Lee secured two prime perches at the bar. I mounted the stool beside her and was met by Tommy, my favorite bartender, and all-around funny man. “What's happening, sweetie? Looking a little frazzled.”
I frowned, bummed my hot mess of a day was so evident. The damp hair or case of resting bitch face must have given it away. “Long day.”
“What can I get my favorite little lady?” He flashed his million-dollar smile, planting his hands on the bar before him.
“I'll have a Manhattan, please.”
“Ohhh! Whiskey?” Lee turned with wide eyes, grinning like the devil.
She was nursing a Cosmo with an extended pinky, ever the lady.
“It's been a day.”
“I can tell. What the hell happened to you?” She eyed me over, focusing on my chest. “You look like you've been ravaged.”
“I ran into Jason Barrett on my way to the bathroom.”
“Like had small talk or...” she trailed.
“Like my body smashed into his, and I landed on the floor!” I squeaked, dropping my head in my hands.
Lee burst into giggles.
“I know! I drenched us both in coffee and smeared lipstick on his jacket!” I cringed, flashing back to the smudge on his chest. “Dude, when he sees it, I'm screwed!”
“Or when his girlfriend does!” She threw her head back and roared with laughter.
Fuck. What if I had to explain to a woman how I toppled into her man?
Oh hi. I accidentally faceplanted into your boyfriend, and just so happened to leave my lipstick behind. Any woman of his would skin me alive. Hunks like him didn't fall from the sky; they were the mightiest catch in the dating pool.
“I didn't think of that,” I breathed, mortified. “I feel stupid, but he was a douche about the whole thing.”
She chuckled. “Did you expect anything else from him?”
He hadn’t been friendly around the office, holding an obvious disdain for me, something more than one person pointed out in passing. I shrugged. “I don't know what I was expecting.”
“Well, you rocked his world,” she laughed. “Maybe he'll forget about the damn wrap and get over himself.”
“Only to hate me more for causing a fight with his girlfriend.”
“True...” she trailed, taking a sip of her drink. “But how hard did you go down? Are you okay? The tits look unscathed.”
A smile pierced my embarrassment. “I landed flat on my ass.”
Lee took another sip from her drink with a grin and coughed. It wasn't until she pulled me close I realized she was choking in surprise, not on booze. “Dude, Jason fucking Barrett is here!” she gasped.
“That's nice.” I tried to play it cool despite the rattle of nerves roaring to life.
He probably followed me and would fire me in public for further humiliation. Or I would have to explain to his enraged girlfriend the ridiculous story of how my lipstick ended up on her man.
“No! I'm serious! He's here!” Lee's green eyes flicked across the bar.
“Cool?” I breathed, unsure of what she was getting at.
Did she want to leave? I wouldn’t give up a good time for him. He was ruining my life enough since arriving in Ithaca. I deserved a night of fun.
“You should go talk to him,” she murmured.
“About what?” I didn’t have a word to say to him that wouldn’t end in my termination.
“No, you should talk to him.” She wiggled her brows for emphasis.
“Lee! He's our fucking boss!” I hissed.
“Our hot fucking boss!” she shot back.
“So?” There was no way I was chatting him up, especially with how he treated me.
“Come on! It'll be fun!” She made a not-so-subtle handjob gesture in my direction.
I swatted her hand mid-pump. If he looked our way, I would die of embarrassment.
“Elena, look how hot he is!” she whined, relentless in her pursuit of making me squirm.
I let out a shaky sigh, knowing where things were going. She was a notorious taunt and would go to the ends of the Earth to get a rise out of me. “Where?”
“Bar booth across to the right. Grey top.”
I glanced over and was walloped with handsome.
Still in work attire minus his jacket, he was watching the baseball game playing across the flat screens. His sleeves were rolled to the elbow, revealing muscular forearms and to my complete shock, a large tattoo. Unf.
Outside of the office, he was a whole new level of sexy, jaw darkened with the start of a five o'clock shadow and tie loosened. He was resting on those impressive forearms, his massive hands cradling a bottle of amber ale as he took in the game.
It was another reminder life was cruel. A prime cut of man was right there yet off-limits. Not only was he a bonafide bastard, but he was also untouchable under Croft's contract.
All instances of romantic fraternization or cohabitation are strictly prohibited among Croft employees. Those found in violation of the policy are subject to immediate termination and forfeiture of all earned commissions.
I'd never forget the passage, as I used it to fend off advances. Before its creation, the catcalling around the office was relentless, even from Marty. He cornered me once when I first started, and I endured countless dinner invitations until the policy squashed them.
I tore my eyes away from the best damn eye candy I had seen in ages, glancing back at my best friend coolly. “As attractive as he may be, I've already wasted enough time on assholes.”
I deserved to be treated like a fucking princess, especially after what Justin put me through.
I rebuilt everything from scratch, sleeping on Lee’s couch for a month while I scrambled to regroup. I
