It’s been three days since Kit rejected the designs we worked so hard on. I haven’t seen him since. The office has been quiet and somber. My whole team is crushed by the rejection. But I can’t help feeling like I got the worst of it. The way he picked up my work and dropped it back down felt so personal. If we weren’t at war before, we sure as hell are now.
Ellie has come over to my apartment tonight in an attempt to cheer me up, but I can’t concentrate on the film she’s chosen. It’s not my thing at all, a thriller of some sort with an irritating male lead who is a constant reminder of why I can’t seem to get along with most guys. I watch him tearing up his hometown with bullets and bombs, and I wonder to myself if all men are like that. Kit certainly is, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Honestly, I could spit fire right now. There’s this horribly intense heat inside me, like I’m about to blow up at any moment.
I sink further into the sofa, wishing it would swallow me whole and end this constant state of fury that I’ve been feeling since Kit showed up.
“Come on, Alex, it’s not that bad,” Ellie says. I sigh, dipping my hand into the bowl of popcorn wedged between us.
“I’m in a terrible mood. I just can’t believe I have to abandon weeks’ worth of work for that idiot.” I feel my hands clench into fists. Right now, I would love to hit the gym and punch the hell out of a boxing bag.
“Look, I know what happened, but you either need to do something about it or let it go.”
“What would you suggest I do?”
“Report him to Alastair. No boss should get away with treating employees like that.”
I sigh again, shifting my feet underneath me. “Yeah, well, I’m not exactly employee of the year. Sometimes I’m not a good boss, either.”
“You are, I swear.”
“Don’t lie to me, Ellie. I pressure the team and nobody likes that. Now that Kit is pressuring me, I know how it feels to be on the receiving end of it.” I stuff more popcorn in my mouth.
Ellie nudges me. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. This isn’t like you. Plus, have you noticed Ben eyeing you? I think he has a candle lit with your name on it.”
“What?” It takes me a moment to realize who she’s talking about. “Ben? I would never... Ben and I are friends. Just friends.” I shake my head, finding the idea ridiculous.
“I’m worried about you,” Ellie says. “You haven’t been yourself since Kit arrived.”
“Don’t be worried. Just leave him to me.”
Ellie shifts to face me. “Look, Alex, you’re the best. The best at Cupid’s Arrow. Hell, you’re the best anywhere. Kit doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
I snort, but it’s nice to hear someone say it. At least it boosts my confidence a little. “Thanks.”
“He might not believe in you, but I swear, I do. I don’t care if he’s the boss. His opinion is zilch.”
“You’re the best, Ellie, really. Thank you for the pep talk.” I smile at her and we both dig into the popcorn. “What do you think Angela and the other girls see in him?”
“Who?”
“Kit, obviously,” I say. “They’ve been all over him like a rash since he arrived.”
She rolls her eyes. “Like we don’t know? He’s got this certain something—this X factor. He’s delicious. But of course, Angela is all over any guy like that. It’s just the way she is.”
“But everyone’s talking about him. Even after what happened, I overhear them in the break room. They keep talking about all the girls he’s hooked up with, or what color suit he’s wearing. Angela seemed proud of herself when she discovered she drinks the same kind of coffee as him.”
Ellie laughs, and I laugh, too. It’s so stupid that it’s comical. “Wow. What a dumb thing to get excited over,” she says.
“Well, exactly, that’s what I thought. That’s why I just don’t get it. He’s an asshole. Women don’t actually like that, right? I mean, there’s really nothing to swoon over, is there?”
“Now who’s trying to brainwash herself into thinking she doesn’t like the new boss?”
I sigh. “You told me about those rumors from the night of Alastair’s retirement party. I don’t want anything to ruin Cupid’s Arrow for me. I suppose that’s why I’ve been so determined to almost hate Kit. A part of me wishes it was still Alastair in his place. Safe, nice Alastair.”
“Alastair wants the good life. He’s worked so many years, he deserves it. He won’t come back, Alex.”
“I know.” I shoot her a wry smile, turning back to the TV. “I suppose all I can do is make the best out of my situation and try to get along with Kit. Yes, so he’s got the women in a frenzy, but from now on, if being irresistible is his superpower, I’m completely immune to it.”