17.
Crystal
The neon sign of Bar None sends a lazy hum into the night, tinting Teagan’s mischievous smirk as we push through the door. We weave through the Tuesday-night crowd, regulars nodding at us as if we’re part of some secret society, bound by cheap drinks and the clatter of darts.
“Your turf, huh?” I shout over classic rock hammering from the jukebox as Teagan leads me to the bar with the confidence of a local celebrity.
“Best watering hole in the Marina,” she boasts, ordering two shots of tequila without even consulting me. “First round’s on me.”
The bartender slides two shots toward us, and I brace myself for the burn. We knock them back, and I wince as the liquid fire trails down my throat. Teagan laughs, her eyes glinting with a wildness that’s both infectious and slightly intimidating.
“So,” she says, leaning against the bar, “how are things with Justin?”
I hesitate. “Things are great.” The words flow more easily than I expect because they’re true. Justin is great if you ignore everything else. “But work… It’s a struggle.”
“Those guys still treating you like their personal gopher?” Teagan’s voice is heavy with concern, and that warms me more than the tequila did.
“More like their magic eight-ball,” I sigh and then add a half-hearted chuckle. “Except I’m less ‘outlook not so good’ and more ‘ask again later’.”
The bartender offers another round, and I order a mojito. I don’t want to get completely drunk. Teagan orders some martini thing.
“Crystal, you’re too smart for that crap.” She shakes her head. “You ever think about doing something else? Going back to school or something?”
“Every day.” The admission hangs between us. I’m ready to stop pushing that suggestion aside. “I’ve been looking for a new job, but who wants someone with barely a year’s experience? I’m like an idiot savant without the savant.”
“Hey, don’t say that.” Teagan’s hand finds my shoulder, squeezing gently. “You just need to find the right fit. I wish my startup was big enough to bring you on. You need someone who sees what I see.”
“Thanks, Teag,” I murmur. “I need to figure out what that right fit is.”
“Exactly,” she says, raising her glass for another toast. “To finding where you belong and kicking ass until you get there.”
Our glasses clink, and I let myself believe anything is possible, that change is within reach, and that, with friends like Teagan, I might just have the courage to chase it.
“Girl, you need a vacation,” Teagan declares, scanning her phone screen as she thumbs through an endless scroll of getaway deals.
“Tell me about it,” I reply, but my voice trails off into the abyss of my bank account, the one that’s locked down to support my dream of independence. “But it’s not like I can afford to jet off to some tropical paradise.”
“Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong.” Teagan’s finger comes to a halt, tapping triumphantly on the glass. She spins the phone to face me, revealing a deal too good to pass up. A cheap trip to Mexico splashes across the screen in bold promises of sun, sand, and escape.
I lean in, hesitant, as the numbers blur into the vision of a tiny studio apartment I’ve been coveting. Yet, the more I think about it, the more the idea grows on me. A chance to recharge… And maybe a way to show the guys I’m not just part of the office furniture.
“Okay,” I say, feeling both resignation and excitement. “Let’s do it. But we need a plan. They have to feel my absence, Teagan. Really notice it.”
A conspiratorial grin spreads across Teagan’s face, and together, we hatch a scheme to shake the very foundations of their complacency.
I can do this.The lab door is ajar. “Justin,” I announce, pushing the door wide with more force than necessary. My heart thunders in my chest, each beat a drumroll for the words teetering on the edge of my lips.
He’s there, buried in paperwork, his attention fused to whatever project has him and Theo hunched over the desk like two architects planning a city skyline. Neither of them looks up, not even a flicker of recognition. It’s as if I’m invisible, and that sharpens my resolve.
“Guys,” I manage to choke out, and now, I have their attention. Their faces tilt up in unison with brows knit in mild annoyance.
“Crystal, we’re kind of in the middle of something,” Justin says.
But I don’t back down, not this time. “Actually, so am I,” I counter, ignoring the tremor in my voice. “I’m giving my two weeks’ notice.” I slide a piece of paper across the table to prove I’m serious.
Justin and Theo exchange glances, shock on their faces as if I’d slapped them.
“Two weeks,” I repeat, the finality of it wrapping around me like a suit of armor. “I’ll make sure everything’s ready for whoever you hire to replace me.”
Without waiting for a response, I turn on my heel and stride out, leaving behind the shell of who I used to be—a doormat—and stepping into the unknown with a newfound determination.
I feel better already. A weight lifts from my shoulders as sit down at my desk. Hands steady, I pick up the phone and dial Emerson Healy upstairs in SHN’s offices. Today, I’m not asking for permission; I’m setting my own course.
“Emerson, it’s Crystal. Do you have a minute?” I ask when she answers.
“Of course, Crystal. What can I do for you?” There’s a warmth in her tone that belies the steel in her role.
“Can I meet with you? It’s important.”
“Of course. Come now,” she says without hesitation.
Moments later, I’m standing in front of Emerson, her office a sanctuary of professionalism. She uncrosses her arms and leans forward, a silent cue for me to begin.
“It’s been difficult working at EnergiFusion,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “They—they don’t see what I contribute. And I… I need a break. I gave the guys my notice, but I’m for sure going to take a little time off.”
Her expression softens. “Crystal, I’m sorry. We should have seen this. You’re valued here, and I’m sure you do so much more than they realize.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, relief flooding through me. Emerson’s acknowledgment soothes the rawness of feeling unappreciated.
“I can offer you several options,” she continues, her gaze searching mine. “When you come back from your time off, we can find a place for you. A new beginning.”
“Really?” I can hardly believe that might be true.
“Truly. You’ve been an exceptional part of EnergiFusion. There will be something for you at one of our other investments.”
“Something better,” I confirm, the phrase resonating deep within me.
She nods, and we hash out a few details. In the end, I leave her office with not just the promise of a vacation, but the assurance of a future, a future where I am seen, where my work matters. With each step, my mood lifts, and I haven’t even been on vacation yet. Why did I wait so long? As I exit the building, for the first time in too long, I breathe freely.
After work, Teagan drags me out to go shopping for our trip. I trail behind her through Macy’s, flipping through racks of vibrant swimwear.
“Look at this one.” Teagan giggles, holding up a two-piece so minuscule it could pass for a doll’s outfit.
“Seriously?” I laugh, taking the hanger from her. The fabric whispers between my fingers, and I hold it up against myself, skeptical. “I think you’re mistaking me for someone who frequents the topless beaches of France.”
“Crystal, you’d look amazing in it,” she insists. “You’ll have guys lined up for miles, trying to get your attention.”
A flush creeps onto my cheeks as I imagine stepping out onto the sand, all eyes on too little fabric. “That’s the last thing I need.” My mind flickers to Justin, to his handsome face that’s too often buried in work, to the way I know he’d smile at me if only he wasn’t so caught up with Austin, Theo, and Rhys.
“Come on, live a little!” Teagan nudges me toward the fitting rooms.
In the cramped space of the dressing room, I slide the bikini on. The mirror reflects back a version of me that’s daring, maybe even a little bold. It seems foreign, stepping beyond the comfort of my routine.
“Wow,” escapes Teagan’s lips as I show her the eye-patch-sized swimsuit clinging to my skin.
“Too much?” I ask, though part of me thrills at the thought of being seen like this—confident, carefree.
“Perfect amount,” she asserts. “You are going to slay, girl.”
I turn back to the mirror, considering the woman staring back at me. She’s ready for something more, something better. And while Teagan’s words about beating men off with a stick echo in my head, I realize I don’t want just any man’s gaze. I want someone who sees me fully, not just when it’s convenient. I think I’ll pick out a more conservative bikini that covers all my parts instead.
“Thanks, Teag,” I say, still studying my reflection. “But the only eyes I’m interested in are Justin’s, and I only want to influence him with his partners. If only he’d stand up for me like he does for EnergiFusion.”
“Let’s hope this little vacation gives him the jolt he needs,” Teagan says, giving my shoulder a supportive squeeze.
Maybe it will. Maybe when I return, sun-kissed and self-assured, things will be different. I’ll be different. Justin and I can make things work whether I’m working for him or not, right? Perhaps a little breathing room will make things better all the way around.