Like a Boss - Annabelle Costa Page 0,62

was bought by Thayer Industries.”

Rita’s face falls. “I’m sorry to hear that. Listen, you should both start looking for a new job right now.”

Well, except for the one of us who’s having sex with the boss.

“Anyway…” Rita rises to her feet. “I just stopped in for a quick drink. I didn’t mean to scare you guys, but if you need any advice—or commiseration—give me a call.”

“It was nice meeting you, Rita,” Jenna says, who looks very pale by now.

After Rita is out of sight, Jenna descends into full-on panic mode. “Oh my God,” she says. “I’m going to get fired. First John cheated on me, and now I’m going to lose my job. I won’t be able to pay the rent. Where am I going to live? I’m going to have to move back in with my parents. Oh God, I cannot move back in with my parents!”

“I wouldn’t worry.” I rub her shoulder. “Luke won’t fire you.”

Her eyes fill with tears. “You don’t know that. You heard what Rita said. We’re all going to lose our jobs.”

“No, we won’t,” I say firmly. “Trust me.”

“I’m sorry, Ellie, but you can’t promise that.”

I wish I could tell her about me and Luke, and reassure her that I can make sure her job is safe. At least, I think I can. Anyway, I don’t believe what Rita is saying. He bought our company months ago and nobody has been laid off yet. Not even one person. Maybe Rita’s company had issues our company doesn’t.

Jenna and I finish our beers, but we’re both too nervous to talk much. I can’t push aside the sick feeling in my stomach.

_____

The next night, Luke and I have dinner in Brookline because I’m feeling tired from staying up too late last night, worrying my boyfriend is some sort of heartless monster. As usual, he whined for a minute about how Brookline is too inaccessible, but when I told him he needed to suck it up, he didn’t mention it again.

He meets me outside my building, waiting patiently in front of the flight of stairs to get to my front door. Those stairs are frustrating for both of us. I should find a different place to live. But something is stopping me.

I need to figure out the truth about who my boyfriend really is.

When I get outside, Luke seems very pleased to see me—his eyes light up. He’s wearing his shirt and tie from work, but a more casual jacket on top of it because the weather’s gotten a bit nippy this week. His light hair is tousled from the wind and his cheeks have more color thanks to our recent outings. He looks incredibly hot. He still makes my knees go weak.

“I missed you last night, Ellie.” He wheels closer to me. “The meeting was so freaking boring. You were all I could think about.”

“I missed you too,” I say, but my voice sounds choked.

“Where do you want to eat?” he asks me.

“Your choice…”

He quickly suggests a burger place up Harvard Street that usually has free tables. “Sounds good,” I say agreeably.

We start up Harvard Street and Luke seems pensive. “I’m so sick of these meetings,” he says.

“Well, nobody tells you to work so hard,” I point out.

“You’re right,” he says. “To be honest, I’m thinking of cutting back a bit. Or… a lot.”

“Really?” I’m shocked. This is the first time Luke has implied anything like that.

“I’m exhausted, Ellie,” he says. “I kept going because I was good at it, and it was the only thing in my life, but… now there are other things I want to focus on.”

“Oh? Like what?” Like killing puppies?

“Like you,” Luke says, looking up at me.

I swallow hard. It’s a relief that we’ve arrived at the restaurant, so I get a reprieve from this conversation. We place our orders, get drinks, and take our seats near the back. I stare across the table at Luke’s handsome face, trying to get a read on him. He’s always so good at knowing what I’m thinking. I don’t have the same power when it comes to him.

But he seems like a good person. I can feel it.

“By the way,” he groans, “I forgot to tell you, I’m going to be out of town for a few days.”

“Out of town?”

“I’ve got to fly to San Francisco,” he says. “I’ve got a few companies in Silicon Valley that need my input.”

I raise my eyebrows. “You can’t do that over the phone?”

“No. This needs a personal touch.”