I search my mind frantically, trying to come up with something to say. I settle on a half- truth. “I honestly don’t remember much of what happened after the strip club. I don’t even remember losing you guys,” I say in what I hope is a casual, normal tone.
Sebastian is still staring at me like he’s trying to figure something out.
I glare at him, warning him with my eyes not to push this.
As usual, Sebastian ignores me. Suddenly, his face changes and his mouth drops open. “Oh, fuck. It was Sierra wasn’t it? You brought her back here and showed her what a good boss you can be!”
All of their eyes are on me again.
I can feel my face heating up again. “That’s enough,” I say quietly. “That’s my assistant you’re talking about. Have a bit of fucking respect.”
“Ooh, you’ve touched a nerve.” Mark chuckles.
“Yeah, he’s defending her honor,” Matt puts in.
Rick is nodding his head now. “It explains why you got so heated about me hitting on her in the lobby. Shit man, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you two were a thing. I wouldn’t have said anything if I’d known.”
“We’re not a thing,” I say, far too quickly, almost before Rick has even finished what he’s saying. I’m not lying. We’re not a thing. And when Rick was hitting on Sierra, nothing had even happened between us. I just didn’t want him making her uncomfortable.
“Oh, you so are a thing,” Matt says. He pauses, studying my face, as I try my best to keep my expression neutral, bored even, like I am so over this conversation for reasons other than it touching a raw nerve.
“Or maybe, they’re not. Maybe it was just a drunken mistake,” Matt adds.
Oh God, if only they knew.
“So?” Sebastian demands, turning to me. “Which is it?”
“It’s neither. And as always, it’s none of your fucking business,” I snap.
I know I’m making things worse. The more I snap at them and get all defensive, the more they know they’re touching a nerve. I try to imagine how I would have acted if it wasn’t true. I would have just stared at them blankly, more shocked than annoyed. I’ve blown it completely.
“Sierra’s cute,” Bradley puts in.
Not helping. If I agree, it’s only going to set them off again. But I can’t say she isn’t, because, well, she is. Bradley’s eyes are twinkling and I realize he knew he was dropping a bomb. “Yeah, she is,” I say. “So is the waitress and I’m not going to go hit on her.”
“Because Sierra wouldn’t like that,” Matt says.
I sigh as I shake my head and decide to have one last attempt at ending this, “Sierra is my assistant. Just think about that for a moment. Even if I had wanted to hit on her, I wouldn’t have. At best, she might have responded and that would have made it awkward as hell when we go back to work. At worst, she sues me for sexual harassment. Why would I risk either?”
“Because love works in mysterious ways,” Sebastian says. “And you love her,” he says in a sing-song voice and starts blowing air kisses.
I’ve heard enough. I get up from the table quickly. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I think I’ve heard enough,” I say coldly.
This gets a chorus of whoops that I ignore. I start to walk away.
“Oh come on. We’re only messing with you,” Sebastian calls after me.
I keep my head held high, but I keep walking. Running footsteps catch up with me in the hallway and as they reach me, they slow down to match mine. I glance to the side and see Matt.
“You know they’re only going to wind you up more now, don’t you?” Matt says.
“I don’t care.” I shrug.
“Yeah, you do, or you wouldn’t have stormed off,” Matt counters.
“I didn’t storm off,” I retort. “I walked away because I don’t think it’s right that you’re all discussing an employee like she’s a piece of meat.”
Matt looks away for a second and I think he’s actually ashamed of himself, but then he looks back at me.
Now, I see the smile forming across his lips.
“You know, none of us really believed you were with Sierra. It was just a way to get a reaction. But now I see it. We were right weren’t we?”
“You’ve had your bit of fun Matt. Can we just fucking drop it now?” I hiss.
“Just tell me what happened. I won’t tell the others. Are you like, into her, or was it just a one night thing?”
“Seeing as this is only happening in your own imagination, that’s a question only you can answer,” I reply.
Matt’s grin widens. “Oh come on, spill. Or I can always ask Sierra.”
“You wouldn’t dare!” I snap.
“Oh, really? Try me,” Matt challenges.
I stop walking and turn to glare at Matt.
He just smirks at me. “I know your scary face works on employees bro, but that’s because you can fire them. Your nasty little look isn’t going to scare me.”
I keep looking at him for a moment longer and then I turn and walk away.
He calls after me, but this time, he at least has the good sense not to follow me.
I don’t look back and before I reach the end of the hallway, I hear him walking back towards the restaurant.
I stalk towards the elevator. I don’t know how this has gotten so out of hand. I knew I should have just stayed at home and let the others come out here to Vegas without me. Then none of this would have happened, and the only jokes I’d be getting fired at me would be ones about being boring, a workaholic and old before my time. All the standard ones I’m used to and don’t worry me at all.
My mind is whirling with awful possibilities. What if Matt really does ask Sierra about last night? Will she assume I told him and talk? No,
