“He’s probably still stressing over that new client.”
My ears perk up. Since Anya works directly for James, she always has the scoop on what’s coming down the pipeline. Technically she’s not supposed to talk about it but for someone who loves gossip as much as she does, that’s more like a recommendation than a rule.
“New client? Anything I’d be interested in?”
She purses her lips. “James will kill me if this gets out. But it’s definitely something you’d be interested in. All I can say is, all that wedding research you did last year might come in handy now.”
At the mention of my ex all the beer in my stomach curdles. Thankfully I’ve always been discreet around the office so tons of my co-workers didn’t even know I was engaged. It made it easier to come back to work the day after my fiancé told me that settling down with me felt too much like “settling”.
Asshole.
“That’s all you can tell me? I’m not sure how my old Pinterest boards are going to come in handy to woo a client.”
Anya wants to tell me, I can see it in her eyes and by the way her mouth is one thin line. Like she’s physically holding her lips closed so she doesn’t spill. But we’re friends and I don’t want her to get into trouble so I shrug.
“Okay, I will just have to trust you. Maybe some good will come from my fiancé dumping me after all.”
She squeezes my arm. “It will. This one is perfect for you, Mya. You’re going to nail this one. Milo won’t know what hit him.”
3
I wake up with a hangover.
Apparently the universe decided that not getting laid wasn’t punishment enough. So I go for a quick three mile run downstairs in my building’s gym and then jump in a cold shower. After a little pep talk, I’m ready to start my day and get back on track doing what I do best.
Winning.
Look, I’m good at almost everything. There’s no point in being overly modest. It is what it is. As I look in the full-length mirror on the back of my closet door, my reflection is like a work of art, every detail curated to exude the image I’ve crafted over the years. Refined elegance with a hint of savagery. At thirty-one, I’m an executive on the fast track. But I haven’t forgotten where I come from.
My mom was a single parent. My dad split so young I barely remember him and we haven’t seen him since. I saw how hard my mom worked to keep things together so my brother and I didn’t suffer. Most of my clothes were hand-me-downs from my cousins and there were multiple occasions when our lights were turned off or we had to move because we couldn’t afford the rent anymore. But as I pull on a steel gray Tom Ford jacket and pair it with a dove gray silk tie, I must admit that where I started and where I’ve landed are worlds apart.
That’s why I can’t allow my recent string of bad luck to get me down. I’ve had a few bad dates. Not that I consider the dicktastrophe at the bar a date. But whatever the case, I’m going to shake off the bad juju I’ve accumulated and get back to making deals and climbing the corporate ladder. I can’t afford to make any mistakes at work, not with Mya nipping at my heels. She’s just hoping that I make a mistake. Especially with the current rumors flying around the office. If they’re true, then this is not the time to slack off.
The ride down to the first floor of my building passes quickly. Luckily no one else is on their way out this early so I don’t have to suffer through polite conversation with any of my neighbors. By the time I reach the parking level, it’s exactly 6:05 a.m.
Right on time.
My usual spot is open so it’s less than twenty minutes after leaving my building that I’m entering the elevator at the Madison building where The Mirage Agency has it’s East Coast office. As I hit the button for the tenth floor, a woman enters and gives me a slow look from head to toe. She’s smiling until she gets off on five and then gives me a little wave over her shoulder as she exits.
Yeah, I know I look good.
Here’s the thing, looks are subjective and blah blah blah but there’s no use pretending some of us don’t have an advantage. Do women stop and do a double take when they see me?
Yes.
Has pussy always been readily available?
Also yes.
So if I pretended my looks have had nothing to do with my success, I’d be the worst sort of hypocrite. But the main thing that has pushed me to where I am today - wealthy, a top executive at a major ad agency and living my best life - is confidence. I’ve got it in spades. You could say I have balls of steel. No, balls of titanium.
The only thing that throws me off my game is–
&nbs
p; “Good morning Miss Taylor.”
Mya pauses in the middle of the hallway and then turns slowly. Her cinnamon brown eyes narrow slightly as if looking for the ulterior motive in my words.