Chapter 12 #2
"I accidentally stepped on it."
He nods sagely. "Sure. What caused this terrible accident? Texts to your friends about how hot you think I am?"
"No. I didn't want you to see my plans about your demise."
He laughs. "You know, unless you keep your phone unlocked, I can't see a thing."
"I told you it was an accident. It slipped, and I accidentally stepped on it."
"With force."
"I...thought it was a spider."
He raises an eyebrow. "Poor spider."
My face burns hotter. "Who knows what scary pets you keep?"
He gasps. "You would kill Buttons?" Then he grins. "Buttons, you know, because giant phone-like spiders have so many eyes."
"Well, I..." I search for something to say, but I can't find anything.
"Go for an early lunch, Lola. Be back on time. After all, just because I can no longer reach you, no phone is not an excuse for tardiness."
I scoop up my smashed phone and make a beeline for the elevator. "Who knows, maybe it will still work?"
The elevator closes on me, and I slump against the wall, closing my eyes, my heart beating a thousand times a second.
I stop by Ruby's desk.
She is on the phone, so I write her a note.
I will be at Café Tennant for lunch.
I will meet you there, she writes back.
The café is about a block from the office, and I slide into one of the tables in the back and gaze sadly at my phone.
I try to turn it on, since heaps of people seem to smash theirs up and they work. But honestly, I'm not even sure if it comes on... it is so smashed that I don't think it does anything.
I have got an expensive, not very good paperweight and not a phone, and I guess most phones that work post-smashing don't meet a violent heel.
Tears prick at my eyes, and if I could undo and rewind time, I wouldn't smash it. Of course, I wouldn't. My entire life is on the phone.
Maybe it is in the cloud, I don't know, but the fact is I can't access any of it. Not the photos or contacts or even Alex.
And even though I've got a raise, that hasn't actually kicked in yet. I know that bills and other things need to be paid before I can get a phone.
I guess I could get something secondhand or a dumb phone or a burner, but I don't know enough about all that to avoid spending money on something that won't work or—
Ruby dumps her bag on the table. "What the fuck happened to your phone, Lola?"
I groan. "Enzo saw me reach for it and demanded it. He said he would confiscate it and so...I...may have smashed it."
She bursts out laughing. "Lola, it is slightly unreasonable to take your phone, but we're also not meant to use them at work."
"I wanted to check something for work." I know how lame it sounds.
She leans in as her coffee arrives, along with a sandwich we often share. "Why not just let him have it? Enzo is the big boss..."
I'm not hungry. Instead, I sip my water as my stomach is in utter turmoil.
Ruby shoves the plate at me. "You know whatever he thinks you're hiding is way worse than what is on your phone. I don't buy the smashing-it-over-work stuff for a second."
"I was looking up something to do with my job, but there are things on my phone."
"Worth smashing your phone over?"
I make a face. "Maybe..."
Ruby's eyes narrow. "What aren't you telling me?"
Maybe I'm vulnerable, or maybe I just need a friend. But I find the floodgates opening, and everything about Alex—the flirting that has turned into some kind of kinky game of dare, the sexts, and how it is all on my phone—fills my mind. The last thing I need is my boss seeing any of that.
Ruby grins. "Who knew you were such a closet whore? I love it. Go, girl."
"I'm not."
"Just be careful. This Alex might seem great, but really you don't know him, and he is a stranger. He could be anyone. What if he is fat, bald, and sixty, and lives in his mom's basement in Jersey?" Ruby shudders.
"They probably have twenty cats and a hoarding problem," Ruby adds.
"Nothing wrong with cats."
"Twenty of them?" She stares at me.
"I will be careful, I promise." And I did reverse image search the sexy selfie, just to be sure. But I keep that to myself.
The waitress comes over and hands me a note.
"For fuck's sake," I mutter.
"Who's it from?"
"Fucking Enzo. My lunch break was over five minutes ago, and perhaps I need a watch." Then I narrow my eyes. "How the hell did he know I'm here? Is he having me followed?"
Ruby rolls her eyes. "You left a note on my desk, remember? And this is the closest affordable café to work."
"What is he, the Gestapo?"
"Maybe he likes you."
"Hardly." My eyes roll.
"What's it like working for him? Are you distracted by how sexy he is?"
I laugh. "Horrible, and not at all."
"Uh huh. You don't have to get along to want to jump someone's bones. He's hot as well, and you know it. I can see you're attracted. After all, you're breathing."
I get to my feet. "Ugh, I better get back before the whips and chains come out."
"Kinky."
I give her a sour look. "Please. You know what I mean. I will call you, okay?"
"On what, your imaginary phone?"
I don't bother answering as I put cash down and hurry back to work.
The new iPhone on my desk couldn't shock me more if it were in a pink bow and said, "from the Tooth Fairy." Though why she would be giving out phones is anyone's guess.
It is the latest phone, and my heart wants to swoon from the thoughtfulness of it.
But I won't let it.
Instead, I'm pissed off. In my head, I'm pissed off.
Enzo's pity is the last thing I need.
Owing him favors as well.
I want it to be a work-only relationship. Nothing more. Nothing less.
And this...it is owing him something.
I snatch it up in its sleek packaging and march into his office and slam it on his desk.
Enzo winces. "Going for broken phone number two?"
"No. I'm letting you know I don't accept gifts from my boss."
He sighs and rubs his temple. "This isn't a gift, it is a tool of communication.
So, you will accept it. I don't want to have to call every fucking café, bar, and restaurant in this part of Manhattan whenever you leave for lunch.
I will deduct the cost of the phone from your salary until it is paid off. "
I open my mouth to argue, but he eyes me with displeasure.
"Take it." He picks up the box and holds it out for me. "And Lola? Don't smash this one, okay?"
"Okay."