Chapter Thirty-Eight
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Amanda and Ivy sent Kya a text with their exact location: 4th in line, ready to rush the gates. Come find us. There were no special VIP privileges, no friendly bouncer to wave them through, no list Quinn could put them on. They would have to queue up, like everyone else. This was a first; this past week, they hadn’t stood in line for anything, except the ladies’ room.
The girls would have to wait. Kya was in no hurry to leave Quinn. She hugged her for as long as she could, right until the moment they were forced to part ways. Even then, she could not bring herself to walk away. Kya stood watching until she disappeared through a heavily guarded entrance reserved for talent. For a while longer, she just stood there, staring at the locked gate. One of the guards smirked at her ungraciously.
A follow-up text got her moving: Girl, where are you???
Kya raced to the general entrance and found Ivy and Amanda in the midst of an argument.
‘It’s fine,’ Ivy was saying, her tone clipped. ‘I’ve only been single a couple of weeks. I have no business dating, anyway.’
‘As long as you’re cool with it,’ Amanda said, eyes bright with mischief. ‘You’re my girl, and I don’t want things to get awkward between us.’
‘I’m cool,’ Ivy said.
Although, to Kya, she looked pretty heated.
‘Where is Trevor now?’ she asked. ‘Is he joining us?’
‘No,’ Amanda said. ‘He stayed at the penthouse to watch from the balcony. His partner hates crowds.’
Ivy blinked rapidly. ‘His … what?’
‘ Partner ,’ Amanda replied, lengthening out the word. ‘You might have heard of him. Jess Katz, of Katz Food Group. They own every trendy restaurant in Miami. He might take issue with us fighting over his man.’
Kya cheered. ‘I knew I liked Trevor!’
‘He’s very sweet,’ Amanda said before turning to Ivy. ‘But you’re not. You owe me an apology. What kind of friend do you think I am?’
Ivy pressed her hands to her flaming red cheeks. ‘Sorry! It’s just … you two looked so into each other.’
‘I thought so, too,’ Kya admitted. ‘You were very cosy on the couch.’
‘Yes, but if only you two fools knew what we were talking about,’ Amanda said with a cheeky little smile.
‘If only you’d tell us, instead of playing guessing games,’ Ivy retorted.
‘There’s still hope for you and Trevor. He’s interested in you.’
Ivy took a step back. ‘In what twisted way?’
‘Professionally.’
‘Interesting,’ Kya said.
‘I need more information,’ Ivy said, shaking her head.
‘You’re right about one thing: we did hit it off, but not like you think. We talked about careers. I told him I’m a buyer and up for a promotion. He’s been managing LAB for over five years, and he’s looking to scale back. He could use an extra pair of hands; do you follow? Someone to assist him in daily management tasks, someone he can trust and train, someone eager to break into the entertainment industry. It’s how he got his start, and he’s eager to pay it forward. It would be an outstanding opportunity for one lucky candidate. If you didn’t know, LAB is one of the premier nightclubs in the world.’
‘I know,’ Ivy said.
‘Everybody knows,’ Kya added.
‘Great!’ Amanda exclaimed. ‘I gave him your number. Expect his call.’
‘Me?’ Kya asked, confused.
‘Not you, sweetie! I forgot you need a job, too. Next time.’
‘Wait. You gave him my number?’ Ivy sounded even more confused than Kya was a second ago.
‘Yes, and you’re welcome,’ Amanda said. ‘This is a way for you to spend your nights at the club without getting side-eye from your parents at Sunday dinner.’
‘I can’t believe I never considered this,’ Ivy whispered. ‘It’s genius.’
‘Sometimes, you need a friend to point the way,’ Amanda said.
‘Hey, congrats,’ Kya said. ‘This is exciting news.’
‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,’ Amanda cautioned. ‘It’s not a done deal.’
‘I get it,’ Ivy said. ‘And if Trevor doesn’t call, I’ll call everyone I know. I’ll crack into the industry.’
‘That’s right. Put those contacts to work,’ Amanda said. ‘One of those hot doormen must have moved up by now.’
Ivy rolled her eyes. ‘I don’t only know hot doormen!’
‘But you do know your fair share,’ Amanda said.
‘True,’ Ivy admitted.
‘Never mind hot doormen!’ Kya balked. ‘You’ll be hiring them some day.’
‘Holy shit!’ Ivy cried. ‘I’m going to run this town.’
Amanda grabbed Ivy’s shoulders and shook her. ‘Yes, girl!’
Kya laughed so hard she dropped her water bottle. It rolled out of reach and as she chased after it, a guy standing in line just a few feet back caught her eye. He looked a little familiar, but hadn’t everyone today? She snatched up the bottle and rejoined the girls. She was about to ask Amanda for professional advice when a shiver ran down her back. The shaggy black hair, sharp cheekbones, creamy skin … The heat and the emotions of the day had clouded her vision and clogged her brain. She knew this man.
‘Give me a minute,’ Kya said to the others. ‘I’ll be right back.’
‘Don’t go too far!’ Ivy cautioned. ‘We have to stick together. It’s the wild west out here.’
‘This won’t take long,’ she assured her. ‘I have to tell somebody off.’
‘Don’t let us keep you, then,’ Amanda said. ‘God speed.’
Kya marched down the line with a soldier’s determination until she reached her target. He was deep in conversation with another guy. They were both in tie-dye T-shirts and cargo shorts. He wore the same Air Force Ones that he wore to the office every Friday.
‘Jon! What are you doing here?’
Jon Yi startled. ‘Kya?’
‘You little pr—’
‘Kya!’ he cried, drowning out her tirade. ‘I can’t believe it!’
The man had the nerve to smile, as if they were not at the bone-picking stage of a serious issue.
‘Don’t you Kya me,’ she retorted.
‘Hold on! You’re mad? You ghosted me.’
Ghosting? Ha! This wasn’t a simple matter of a few missed calls, or a date gone wrong. This man had stabbed her in the back.
‘Jon, I thought you were my friend.’
‘I am your friend, Kya! Your only friend.’
‘That’s not true. I’ve got friends now.’
‘Is that why you never answered my calls?’
Kya advanced, hands on her hips. ‘I didn’t answer your calls because I don’t speak to traitors who attend secret meetings and vote to get me fired!’
‘Kya …’
He looked hurt, but so was she. ‘You sided with the boys. That’s unforgivable.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Jon took her arm and moved her away from the line before adding anything else. Everyone within earshot, including his tie-dye twin, were listening in. In a hushed voice, he asked, ‘You think I got you fired?’
‘Didn’t you?’
‘No!’
‘Weren’t you at the meeting?’
‘What meeting?’
‘Alek said—’
‘You’d believe Alek over me?’ he pushed back, indignant.
‘He said there was a meeting, and you all decided I should be the one to go,’ Kya continued, undeterred. ‘Then you took me out for Thai food and wished me safe travels, knowing very well I was about to get sacked.’
‘That would be pretty shitty, if it were true,’ Jon said. ‘May I tell you my side of the story now?’
‘Fine. Let’s hear it.’
‘It’s simple,’ he said. ‘Alek lied to you. If there was a meeting, I didn’t get the invite. Soon after you left for your trip, I got called into HR and was fired on the spot.’
The news hit Kya on the head. She felt instantly dizzy. ‘For real?’
‘Yes, for real,’ he said. ‘At least you didn’t have to sit across from Jeff in HR, or clear your desk while a security guard watches your every move, or carry boxes filled with Game of Thrones memorabilia to the elevator while everyone stares and no one, including Alek, can look you in the eye. That Thai lunch was my last supper, too.’
‘Jesus …’ Kya muttered. ‘They did us dirty.’
‘Yup.’
‘Why didn’t you call me?’
‘I was a mess,’ he said. ‘I locked my phone in my car. I couldn’t talk to anyone for days.’
‘Jon, I’m so sorry!’
‘That’s okay. I can’t imagine how you felt, opening that email.’
Kya couldn’t recall the feeling. It felt like ages ago. She felt nothing now.
‘I wish I’d known,’ he said.
‘Never mind that.’
Kya got locked out of a computer; that was all. She shuddered at the thought of meeting with Jeff Green, the sleazy HR director. Come to think of it, she’d got the better end of the stick. She returned to her first question. ‘What are you doing in Miami?’
‘A friend had an extra concert ticket and dragged me out of my apartment,’ he explained. ‘You would know that if you answered my calls.’
Kya rubbed the back of her neck. ‘I was busy.’
‘I know,’ he said. ‘I follow you on TikTok. You’re busy dating one of my favourite DJs.’
‘How is she your favourite?’ Kya asked. ‘I hadn’t heard of her until I got here.’
‘You were always behind the times, Kya,’ he said. ‘For someone so progressive, it’s a little weird.’
‘And she’s not really my girlfriend. It’s way more complicated than it looks online.’
‘What? No hashtag K&Q?’
‘Yes … for now.’
‘Gotcha,’ he said. ‘I’m really happy to see you, crazy girl. I was hoping we could talk. I’ve got some ideas, you know.’
Kya was no longer listening. She threw her arms around Jon’s neck and squeezed him tight. ‘I’m so glad I don’t have to hate you anymore!’ she cried.
‘Me, too!’ he said, laughing. ‘You scared me back there. Remind me never to cross you.’
‘Don’t ever,’ she said. ‘I’ll kill you.’
‘I’ve been warned.’
‘Is it just the two of you?’ she asked, glancing at his friend, who was glancing at them.
‘Yeah, just us.’
‘Do you want to join my friends, Ivy and Amanda? They’re lots of fun. We could hang out together. I’ve missed you so much.’
‘Hell, yeah. Are you kidding?’ he asked. ‘It’s a miracle I found you. I’m not letting you go.’
‘ I found you, Jon.’
Typical man, taking all the credit.