“Life’s unfair, Sage. Don’t be a brat about this.”
“I don’t think I’m being abrat. You–”
“Royal wasn’t in the last group pictures, and she didn’t throw a fit.” She walks into the kitchen, and I follow her closely.
“Royal was on probation for missing the runway show!” I don’t add how that wasn’t her fault because she was stuck across the country. There was a storm, so she couldn’t fly back on time, yet Florence still punished her.
“I’m being punished for no reason, and you said you wouldn’t hold us back from opportunities. This is not very ‘I’m so proud of you, Sage. You’re my favorite girl’ of you.” I uncross my arms because I start to feel like maybe I am being a brat, but when she looks at me, I hold my ground.
“We both know this isn’t fair and why you’re being like this.” I keep my tone soft and wish her pride would stop making her so mean. If I really can’t be in the photo shoot with the girls next week, then fine, I’m not going to cry about it, but I might cry if this is how she’s going to treat me every time I have to do something as a Moore Girl. I don’t want to be in that kind of work environment.
“The photo shoot is happening on Tuesday, if your meeting ends early you can be there. If not, then you’ll miss it, and it won't be the end of the world.”
I bite my tongue and keep it between my teeth as we study each other.
“Am I clear?”
And her tone alone is what makes my tongue slip.
“Well, if I can’t make it, I hope you still get the views you want without the face of the company.” I don’t walk away from her because that’d be rude, but her glare almost makes me run off to find Angie to fight this battle for me.
“I’m sure it will, and if it doesn’t, we’ll just find a new face for the company.” She smiles tightly, and when I feel the back of my eyes stinging, I return the smile.
“Have a great weekend, Florence.” I turn on my heels and rush into my room. I blink my tears away and don’t let myself cry until I’m in my car. Stel and Mace put the basket of flowers I left here in Macey’s car since it doesn’t fit in mine, and while we drive to my apartment, I can’t stop the tears. I tell myself I’m going to call Angie to deal with Florence, and I don’t care if they argue; a part of me hopes Angie yells at her just a bit.
My phone dings, and the message pops up on my car screen.
Cee Cee
You have another delivery from the straight man!
I laugh at what she calls Liam because while he’s a straight man, I’m sure she means it as an insult. I love the message and text the girls before turning around. I was already planning on stopping by the coffee shop but changed my mind because of the mood Florence put me in. I have no clue how Liam knew I’d go there after work, but I have Mace follow me since the next basket will have to go in her car.
When I walk in, my eyes immediately fall on the purple dahlias.
“Two giantlavishbaskets of flowers?” Cee Cee starts. “Maybe–”
“Five.” I correct her as I grab the note. “And a muffin basket with my favorite muffins.”
Cee Cee nods like she approves, and I’m not sure why, but I’m glad she does.
“Okay… maybe the groveling is like, two bars above the bare minimum.”
I break into a laugh at how hard she is on him when she has no clue what he did, and I’m sure if a girl got heronehuge basket of flowers, she’d be through the roof.
I do not have a middle name, but I like when you
call me Leslie. ONLY because you laugh so damn pretty after saying it.
I prefer sunsets to the sunrise because
I hate the mornings.
I don’t like animals, and the cats are cool, but I think octopuses are cooler.
I put the note in my bag along with the others, and Cee Cee hands me a drink Liam also paid for. Stel takes one side of the basket, and I take the other. We drag it into Macey’s car and squeeze it next to the other one.
When I get home, my doorman helps us fill the elevator with the baskets of flowers, and I hug the girls before thanking them. My doorman helps me drag the heavy flowers into my apartment, and when I lean against the door, one last basket of dahlias sits on my counter. I let out a soft chuckle as I walk over to read the note.
