Luca
“It’s like Rotten Tomatoes for dating,” I hear someone in marketing laugh as I walk by. And honestly, it’s kind of funny.
The office has been buzzing ever since we added the new Rate Your Date feature. And I’m not surprised. It’s a brilliant idea. Something that’s never been done before. It gives us an edge all while providing something that gives people even more faith in finding love through our app.
It’s not often that I smile and nod at my employees while making my way to my office. But today is a good day. Today, they deserve it. Today I am in a good mood. Even though I am a little nervous.
My conversation with Matt felt like cold water in the face at first. But after talking to her, I have more peace.
Everything that could be out in the open is out in the open.
And you know what? For two people trying to fuck each other over, the laundry isn’t as dirty as you would think.
In fact, I think it’s safe to say we are in the clear.
The future looks bright. And I don’t hate it.
“You look chipper,” Bernadette from accounting says as she brings me a file I asked for. Even though our numbers are exceptional right now, I’d like to look at it just for the visual. And because I’m not a kid, I prefer it the old-fashioned way…on paper in front of me.
“I feel good,” I admit. I hate words like chipper.
But Bernadette gets a hall pass. She’s nearly seventy years old, but I keep her around doing the books, as she puts it, because at the end of the day, she keeps a tight ship and is more transparent than any fresh out of college accountant ever could be. Even if she uses words like chipper.
“You look good,” she says. She’s also the only woman older than me who can get away with subtle flirting without making me cringe.
She’s funny. And I am not an easily amused man, if you haven’t figured that out by now.
“It wouldn’t have anything to do with that girl you took to Miami with you, would it? ”
“How do you know I took a girl to Miami?” I kid. Everyone knows I took a girl to Miami. It’s no secret.
“Because I do the books,” she says. “And while you do usually stay at the Tide and Crown, you rarely get the suite.”
“Do I not?” I ask as I look through the papers. And I know Bernadette is just smiling.
I give it a moment before glancing up at her, a hint of a smirk on my lips. “Well, I guess you caught me red-handed,” I say. “Maybe we should keep it a secret, though. Just between us.”
It makes her laugh.
“This looks great,” I tell her, closing the file. “In fact, I think we might be able to afford a little party.”
“A party?” She whispers.
“Yes. Everyone has been working hard. I think it’s time to celebrate. Let off some steam.”
“So, what are we thinking this time?” she asks. “Oysters and wagyu again?”
“Let’s go a little less formal,” I say. “Maybe a grazing table. Charcuterie. Open bar. Dancing would be a hit.”
“Dancing?” She echoes, and her expression looks as though I just said we should have the party on the International Space Station.
“Sure,” I say casually. “People like to dance.”
“They do. We do. I just didn’t think you–” she starts to say.
“Make it happen, Bernie,” I say with a smile, and she is beside herself.
“Yes, sir,” she says before scampering back to her office.
And with that, I am done for the day. I don’t often give myself permission to take an afternoon away from the office. And even when I do, I don’t typically turn my brain off. But today I really do feel good. I want to celebrate.
As I make my way out of the building, I text Olivia.
Luca: Dinner tonight?
Olivia: What did you have in mind?
Luca: My place.
Olivia: You can cook?
Luca: You’re not cute.
Olivia: Yes, I am.
I chuckle. Because she is right.
Luca: I hope you like fettuccine…
Olivia responds by hearting the text bubble. I’m about to say something in response, something about how she uses a lot of emojis for someone who claims to hate the tech world, but before I can, I hear my name.
“Luca.”
I look up and stop. My entire body tenses.
“Sadie,” I say. “What are you doing here?”
We aren’t in the building. But we are right out front. Which means she is technically here as far as property lines go, and I can’t imagine why.
“I’m meeting a friend for lunch,” she says, and I arch a skeptical eyebrow in response.
“A friend?”
“Yes,” she smiles, crossing her arms. “I do still have friends here. Even if I don’t work here anymore.”
I guess that makes sense.
“Alright well, I guess I’ll let you get to it,” I say, moving to step around her. But she reaches out, placing a hand on my forearm to stop me.
“Actually, since I ran into you, maybe we can talk,” she says, and everything about her tone is a red flag.
“About?” I ask, my tone intentionally dry and direct.
“The app is doing well,” she says, removing her hand from my arm to pat down her pencil skirt.
“It is,” I agree.
“You seem…different,” she says.
“How so?” I ask. Not that I care. I don’t want to have this conversation at all. But honestly, I don’t remember Sadie having a lot of friends when she worked for me. Off-hand I don’t know anyone who would go to lunch with her, other than Peyton maybe. But they didn’t work here at the same time.
No. She’s up to something. And considering she is friends with Olivia, I should probably figure out the motive. Even if her and Olivia are on the outs. Especially if they are on the outs.
“I don’t know. You’re less…grumpy,” she says with a small smirk.
“Like you said, the app is doing well. I have no reason to be upset,” I tell her casually.
Sadie thinks about that for a moment, still smirking in a way I don’t trust.
Then she clicks her tongue. “I take it things with Olivia are going well…”
There it is. She knows. And she is not happy.
“They are,” I admit flat out, and even under the layer of composure she’s painted her face with, I can see a flinch. I almost feel bad. Emphasis on almost.
“So you two have cleared the air then?” She asks.
“In reference to…”
“The fact that she only swiped right on you to fuck with you because of how you treated me,” she says with a look that tells me she is expecting me to lose my composure.
But I don’t.
Instead, I offer a carefree nod.
“We talked about that. Funny thing is, I knew all along. And after we both came clean, we were able to laugh it off and move on.”
“Oh really?” She says, her bitch-face cracking even more. “So that’s it?”
“For the record, Sadie,” I say softly but sternly, “you came on to me. That’s why I fired you.”
Sadie’s lips quirk in a smile as she slowly nods, tongue in cheek. “Right.”
“If we’re done here, I have to get going,” I say, attempting for the second time to walk to my car.
And for the second time, she stops me. This time, with her words, not her hand.
“So you know about the podcast?” She calls out, and I lower my head before turning back around to face her.
“Unmatched. Yes. I’ve heard of it. I’ve even listened to some of it. It’s not an issue,” I state.
“Really?” She asks. “It’s not an issue that everything she stands for is in direct opposition to everything you do?”
“Like I said. We’ve talked about it.”
“Alright. So I assume she talked about how her latest series is about catfishing?” She asks, and I shrug.
“And?”
“And every episode is based around a real attempt to catfish the king of catfish,” she says.
I’m still not following. Until I am. And my expression must show that because Sadie smiles again.
“Oh no. So you didn’t know that you are the subject of her latest series?”
“You’re lying,” I glare. “She would never.”
“And yet…she did. Listen, don’t take my word for it. Her podcast is downloadable. Every episode. Every conversation about every date. Every phone call that was live despite her victim knowing.”
Sadie walks off after that, and I am left standing there. She can’t be serious. There’s no way Sadie would do that. And even if she had, she would have told me during our conversation in the car. Wouldn’t she?