15. Ava
Ava
It’s been a week since we got back from New York, and I’m feeling …
good. Surprisingly good. The conference was a whirlwind, but it was also a success.
I’ve spent the last few days organizing applications, flagging the best candidates, and preparing to present my findings to Clive.
He’s going to take them to Sierra for final approval.
We both agreed it would be better if he was the one to present the applications. Sierra has made it very clear to anyone that would listen that she hates me.
But I don’t feel totally bad because she made it clear she hates everyone.
And then there’s Nick.
I don’t know what we’re doing, exactly. It’s not serious—at least, I don’t think it is. But there’s something there. Something real. Something that makes my heart race every time I think about him.
I don’t expect anything. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. It makes it easier if I pretend nothing matters. It’s cool that we hook up now and then. It doesn’t need to be serious.
“Ava?”
I look up from my screen and see one of the other team members.
“Yes?”
“Clive and Sierra need to see you in his office. They want to go over some of the applications.”
I’ve been avoiding her since we got back, but I can’t put it off any longer.
“Okay. Thank you. I’ll be right in.”
Fuck.
I can only imagine what she wants. Maybe she wants to claw my eyes out. Fire me.
I take a deep breath, smoothing my skirt as I walk down the hallway. Clive’s office is at the end of the hall. I can already hear Sierra’s voice before I even reach the door.
“Finally,” she says, her tone sharp as I step inside. “We’ve been waiting.”
I ignore her, focusing on Clive. He’s sitting at his desk, his expression neutral, but I can tell he’s uncomfortable.
She has that effect on people.
“Sorry,” I say, forcing a smile. “I was finishing up some notes.”
Sierra rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. “Let’s just get this over with. I don’t have all day.”
I bite my tongue, setting my laptop on the table and pulling up the files I’ve prepared. “I’ve gone through all the applications and flagged the top candidates. I thought we could go over them together and?—”
“You thought wrong,” Sierra interrupts, her voice cold. “You’re not in charge here, Ava. You’re just the new girl who thinks she can sleep her way to the top.”
I freeze, my cheeks heating up. “Excuse me?”
Sierra smirks, leaning back in her chair. “You heard me. You think just because you’re fucking the boss, you can waltz in here and take over? Think again. No one hires anyone for my team except for me.”
I clench my jaw, my hands trembling with anger. “That’s not what’s happening, Sierra. I’m just trying to do my job.”
She laughs, the sound filled with the bitterness that clings to her like a second skin. Everyone can see it. She’s jealous.
“Your job? Your job is to push paperwork, not play HR director. So why don’t you stick to what you’re good at and leave the real work to the adults?”
I want to argue, to defend myself, but I know it’s pointless. Sierra’s not going to listen to me. She’s made up her mind, and nothing I say is going to change it.
“Fine,” I say, closing my laptop. “If you’re not interested in my input, then I’ll just send you the files. You can handle it from here.”
I grab my things and walk out, my heart pounding in my chest. I don’t stop until I’m back at my desk, my hands shaking as I try to steady my breathing.
This is a disaster.
I knew this was going to happen. I never wanted to be the one that slept with the boss. Never mind no one actually knows anything. Sierra hasn’t let proof stop her from spreading rumors. Everyone believes her. They all suspect I’m screwing the boss.
They’re not wrong, but still.
I go to the breakroom to get some water for my now parched throat.
I pause just outside the breakroom, frozen in place as I hear my name. The voices are low, but unmistakable—two of my coworkers, Jenna and Lori, their tones laced with judgment.
“Seriously, though. Do you think it’s true? About Ava and Nick?” It’s Jenna, her voice tinged with that faux innocence people use when they’re trying to sound casual about something scandalous.
“Oh, please,” scoffs Chris, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “You’ve seen the way she looks at him. And the way he looks at her? Like she’s the only person in the room. Of course it’s true. They are absolutely fucking.”
I swallow hard, my hand tightening around the edge of the doorframe. My stomach churns, but I can’t bring myself to walk away—or walk in.
“But seriously,” Jenna continues, lowering her voice even further. “How else do you think she got this job? No one just waltzes into a position like hers without connections.”
Chris laughs. “Yeah, well, Sierra’s not happy about it. You heard her this morning. She’s staked her claim. That man is hers. She’s not going to stop until she gets him back.”
I turn away from the breakroom, my pulse racing. My chest feels tight, like I’ve been running for miles. The water can wait. I need air. I need to get out of here. No job is worth this bullshit.
I go back to my office, grab my bag, and head for the elevator, nodding curtly at a few coworkers who glance my way. Yep, I’m leaving early for the day.
They can go to my boss, because in this case, I am fucking the boss, and he’s not going to fire me for cutting out early.
The elevator doors slide shut, and I exhale, leaning heavily against the wall. My reflection stares back at me in the polished metal—pale, wide-eyed, and guilty-looking even though I’ve done nothing wrong. Well, nothing except fall for someone I probably shouldn’t have.
I grab my phone and call Nick the second I hit the lobby. He’s not in the office today, and I’m not sure if he’ll answer, but I need to talk to him.
He picks up on the second ring.
“Ava, I was just thinking about you.”
He’s flirting, but that’s the last thing I want. “Yeah, well, me too,” I snap.
“What’s up?”
“I can’t do this,” I say, my voice trembling.
“Sierra’s impossible. She’s accusing me of trying to sleep my way to the top, and she’s making it impossible to work with her.
The entire office is talking shit about me.
It doesn’t matter that it’s true. They’re making it dirty and gross and talking like I just sleep with all my bosses. I don’t know what to do.”
“Come over. We’ll talk.”
“No! That doesn’t solve this!”
“Ava, I don’t know what does solve it,” he says. “Just come over.”
I sigh because honestly, I do want to talk to him. And I hate that. It makes me needy.
“Fine,” I say. “Text me your stupid address.”
He laughs. “See you soon.”
I put it into GPS and head out. After seeing his place in New York, I can only imagine what his place here looks like.
And of course, it’s … impressive. It’s a sprawling mansion in La Jolla. I get out of the car, but before I can ring the bell, Nick is there.
“Come in,” he says.
He steps aside, motioning for me to enter. The foyer is sleek and modern, with a chandelier that looks like it could pay off my student loans twice over.
“Nice place.”
Nick shuts the door behind me. “Come on, we’ll go out to the patio. Do you want a drink?”
“I want twenty drinks.”
He chuckles. “That bad?”
“Worse than bad.”
“What happened?”
“Sierra happened. She’s impossible, Nick. I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m sorry, Ava. I’ll talk to her.”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “Talking to her isn’t going to fix this. Why won’t you just get rid of her? She’s toxic, Nick. She’s making it impossible for anyone to do their job. Do you know there is a running count of complaints? Everyone in my department knows about her.”
“I know,” he says.
“Sierra’s out for blood, Nick. And the rest of the office? They’re just feeding into it. They all think I’m a slut.”
“I’m sorry,” he says.
“You could put a stop to this if you wanted to. But you haven’t.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Complicated how?” I ask, my voice rising. “What’s the story, Nick? Why won’t you tell me?”
He doesn’t answer, and that’s when it hits me. There’s something going on between them. Something he’s not telling me.
I feel a pang of jealousy, my stomach twisting into knots. “You know what? Never mind. I don’t want to know. This was a mistake. I don’t know why I keep thinking this is something it isn’t.”
I turn to leave, but he grabs my arm, pulling me back.
“Ava,” he says. “It’s not what you think.”
“You don’t know what I think.”
“I have a pretty good idea,” he says. “And it’s not accurate.”
“Let me tell you what I think,” I say, anger making my voice lower than usual. “I think you two are still fucking on the side. And if you’re not now, you want to be. You want to fuck her.”
“I can assure you, I don’t. Not even a little. I would rather fuck a porcupine than touch her again.”
His words are so absurd, so blunt, that for a moment, I can’t help but laugh.
“A porcupine?” I repeat. “That’s your defense?”
Nick shrugs. “It’s the truth. Ava, you need to understand something. Sierra and I … it’s not what you think. It’s not even close.”
“Then what is it? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like she’s got some kind of hold on you. Like she’s got a claim.”
“Sierra is complicated,” he says and pulls me close.
“Let me go, Nick.” I pull my arm, not truly hard enough to get away.
He pulls me closer, his lips crashing into mine.
I want to resist, to push him away, but I can’t. His kiss is desperate.
When he finally pulls away, I’m breathless.
“Don’t leave,” he says, his voice rough. “Please.”
I know I should.
But dammit, I can’t stay away from him.