I held my hand up. “No, Luca. Why are you reviewing another proposal? Are you not satisfied with our progress?”
“You knowI’m satisfied. Your plans are amazing, and you’re right on schedule.”
“Soagain,I ask, why are you reviewing another proposal? Why not tell your dad to fuck off and trashit?Or if that’s too extreme, just trash it and tell him you reviewed and compared? Why did you keep the proposal?”
With panic written all over his face,Luca’smouthhungopen like it was waiting for the right words to fall out.
I moved around him. “Perfect.” Shaking my head, Iscoffed.“I don’t know if I can be here right now.” Turning, I opened the door.
Without looking back at Luca, I said, “I have a show tonight. Don’t expect me home. I’ll crash with Evie orAsh.”
As I passed Lauren’s desk, she gave me a pained smile. Stepping into the elevator, I turned to find Luca watching me from the middle of the office.“Sasha.” His voice was a whisper. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes, but he clearly didn’t carebecausehecontinued to stand there as his employees gawked at their distraught boss.
Before concern and guilt made me fold, the elevator doors closed, and I slumped against the wall.
What a terrible fucking day.
* * *
Sitting at the bar, three sheets to the wind, I complained to anyone who would listen. That ended up being mostly Jazz.
“Why would he ask me to do the job but then change his mind?”
Jazz’s hand gently patted my thigh. “I don’t know, Sash. I’m sure he didn’t change his mind. It’s probably just family shit.”
She shrugged and took another sip of her cocktail. The long falsies hit her high cheekbones as she closed her eyes in enjoyment. When the tip of her tongue brushed against her bottom lip, I realized I was leaning in far too close. But I didn’t pull back.
A lazy smile pulled at her lips as she moved her hand up to my hip. It was all wrong, but instead of stopping her, I inched closer in my seat.
“I just feel like he doesn’t value me as a business equal. Like I’m some kind of joke. You know?”
I stared at her like she had the answer to stopping the aching in my chest. I felt worthless, but Jazz had only ever showered me with compliments and adoration. The whole situation wasn’t smart, but I wasn’t interested in being smart. I wanted to feel better.
Her dark eyes softened as she moved even closer. Our noses were almost touching, and I smelled the whiskey from her drink on her lips. Her cold fingers caressed my jaw before her palm cupped my cheek.
“You’re far from a joke. He’s the joke for making you feel anything less than amazing.”
Jazz’s eyes dropped to my lips, and finally, I found the intelligence to move away. “Sorry, Jazz.” I covered my face and shook my head. “Shit, I’m a fucking asshole.”
I laid my forehead on the bar as she laughed.“You’re fine, Sasha. I knew I was pushing my luck.”
Turning my head to watch her slam back the rest of her drink, I rested my cheek in whatever booze someone had spilled there.
Placing her glass on the bar, she asked for her check. Signing the slip, she moved to stand up.“Let’s get you home. Yeah?”
Shaking my head, I refused to stand. “I can’t go home. Luca lives there.”
Jazz laughed. “That’s the point. Give me your phone. I’ll get you an Uber.”
“Don’t bother,” I grumbled.
I struggled to put my coat on and shuffled out of The Monocle. Sitting out front was a black town car. Jazz eyed the sedan and gave me a questioning look.“Luca’s. He sends it when he can’t come to shows. Asshole thinks I can’t get home.”
Wobbling, I grabbed onto Jazz and gave her a big hug. “Sorry for being the worst. You’re so fucking hot and nice, Jazz. If I weren’t all in love or whatever, I would fuck you so hard. Believe that.”
Her shoulders shook under my hold. “Thanks, Sasha.” Pulling away, she gave me a peck on the lips. “Now get the fuck home before my drunk ass makes a mistake.”
I slipped into the sedan while Jazz went back inside to wait for her ride.