CHAPTER TWELVE

KAYLA

I wake up with a smile after hearing all about Logan’s drug bust, and I’m excited to see him again. I even leave for work early, but traffic was bumper to bumper on the interstate and made me ten minutes late. As soon as I walk in, my boss is leaning against my office door with a scowl on his face. It takes everything in my power not to ask what his problem is this morning. I swear he searches for things to complain about, and each day, that becomes more obvious.

“Late again, Sinclair,” he says, tapping his watch.

“I’m sorry. There was an accident on the interstate that was unavoidable.” I reach for the handle, making him move out of my way and don’t make eye contact as I walk into my office. He follows me inside almost as if he’s provoking me. I was in such a great mood and now it’s ruined.

“Over the last few months, you’ve made coming into work late a habit.” He pulls the chair out in front of my desk and sits. Unfortunately, that tells me this isn’t a conversation that’s going to end well.

“Mr. Huffman, I apologize. It wasn’t intentional.” I give him a sweet smile hoping this pulls him out of his funk, but he has it out for me today. After sipping his coffee loudly, he sets it down on my desk that’s currently scattered with designs I spent last week hand drawing. I lean over and clear a spot for his cup and place a coaster under it to avoid coffee rings on my hard work. Rude. Trying to ignore him, I sit at my computer and try to give him the hint that I’m ready to work for the day.

“I’m going to have to write you up, Sinclair. I’ve already given you several warnings about this,” he tells me, grabbing his cup from the coaster and spilling coffee on my desk. He looks down at it then walks off without an apology or an inkling of concern. Anger bubbles inside me.

I try counting to ten. I try sucking in a slow steady breath through my mouth and exhaling through my nose, but nothing calms me down. Over the last few days—weeks really—I’ve had time to think about how this job has ruined—and is currently ruining—my life. Going into people’s houses alone isn’t safe, and I’m not sure why I never realized how dangerous my job was before. I’m small and most people could overpower me easily. Not to mention, many of my customers act entitled as if I should drop to my knees and kiss the ground they walk on as soon as they enter a room. Those two things make me hate my job. Add in my dickhead boss, and well, it’s basically hell on earth for eight hours every day.

For the next few hours, I write emails and find myself completely unmotivated. I stare at the blinking cursor on my screen when the answer to my problem is as clear as a California summer sky—I have to quit. Life is too short to spend every day being miserable making someone else rich.

Since I’ve returned to work, it’s been a living hell that I dread daily. Secretly, I’ve hoped these negative feelings would pass, but it’s come to the point where I feel as if my time is being wasted. Forty hours or more a week of my precious time could be spent making a real difference in people's lives. That’s enough to make me storm into Huffman’s office right now and quit, but I don’t. The thought pulls deep inside me, and I can’t imagine myself doing this the rest of my life. Sure, it was my dream before, but people and dreams change. If anything, I’m a changed woman and feel as if I’m seeing my life more clearly than I ever have before.

I have to do this for me. I have to do this for the girl I was a month ago that was too scared to take risks. Life is short. Memories may not last forever. Why not spend my time doing something I love? Questions flood my mind, and the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced quitting is a good idea. Instead of taking drastic measures, I quietly pack my pictures, thank you cards, and little things I’ve collected over the last four years of being at the firm. My bag is practically stuffed as I walk out to my car and text Courtney.

K: Can you meet me for lunch? It’s kinda important.

C: You bet your ass I will. Where?

We decide to meet across town at a deli close to King Marketing where Courtney works. As soon as I see her, I can tell she’s in a better mood than last time. We walk inside, order a couple salads and sit in the far corner of the room. In no time, they’re delivered to our table.

She smiles and tucks her blonde hair behind her ears. “So, what’s going on? I can tell something’s on your mind.”

“I’m going to quit my job. Today. When I get back from lunch.” My voice is confident and I don’t dare waver in my decision until I see Courtney’s shocked. “...but I want to make sure I’m not losing my mind and making a bad decision,” I quickly add.

Courtney swallows and meets my eyes. “Are you sure about this? That’s a pretty rash decision, Kay.”

“It feels like I’m drowning in so much, and this is the only sure thing in my life right now. Have I ever said anything negative about my job? I just want to make sure my two-month-ago me wouldn’t kick my ass if I did this.” I somewhat laugh but it’s not really that funny considering what I’m about to do.

“From what I knew, you loved your job, but you were sometimes a little annoyed. You were good at what you did. When you helped me decorate and remodel some of the rooms in our house...”

My eyes go wide. “I helped you?”

“Well, of course. Why do you think my house looks like it came out of a Country Living magazine? You were a little neurotic with Pinterest boards and color flow though.” Courtney winks.

I smile, happiness flooding me because I was able to help make my friend’s house a home, but Courtney isn’t my typical client—far from it, in fact.

“The truth is, I’m not happy. I want to do something different. Start a nonprofit for animals. Take the ones that are about to be euthanized and try to get them adopted. Become one of the only no-kill shelters in the area. It seriously pains me to know they each have an expiration date at the shelter, but I know the volunteers are doing the best they can. I just want to do more.” I look at Courtney who’s wearing a big cheesy grin. “Something I’m passionate about while actually making a difference.”

“Then what the hell are you waiting for?” she asks with lifted eyebrows. “Sometimes you have to take risks to live a life that makes you happy. I have no doubt in my mind that you’d do great things. I mean, you are Sacramento's best doggy dealer. We all have animals because of you.”

I laugh in agreement.

“I know you’d make a huge difference and you’d love every minute. Your happiness is what matters most.”

“That really makes me happy to hear, Court. Just having it confirmed by another source rather than the voices in my head is vindication. Sometimes I wonder if I’m going crazy,” I admit, knowing she’ll understand what I’m saying.

“You aren’t going crazy. You’re just seeing things in a different light now. So, tell me. Are you going to flip your boss off to his face? Cuss him out really good before you storm out in all your blaze of glory?” She might be a little too excited about this. Maybe more than I am.

“I haven’t made up my mind yet. I kinda feel like burning that bridge to the damn ground after how he’s treated me today.” I take a sip of my water because my mouth is going dry. With every second that passes, it becomes more real that I’m going to do this. I look down at my phone and see I’m already twenty minutes past my lunch break, and I’m sure Huffman will be waiting for me when I return. Instead of rushing, Courtney and I finish eating and then say our goodbyes.

“Once you’ve done it and you’re free from corporate hell, let me know. We need to celebrate you being a badass,” Courtney says across the parking lot as she walks toward her Jeep.

“I will!” The smile on my face feels permanent. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this content with my decision. Before heading back to the office, I take the top off the Mustang and allow the wind to blow through my hair. By the time I return to work, I’m over an hour late from lunch and give no fucks about it.

I walk into the office like I own the place. As soon as I sit down at my desk to clear my files, one of the interns lets me know Huffman would like to see me. Instead of rushing to his office, I make him wait as I finish cleaning off my desk. Once I have everything packed, Huffman storms in and slams the door shut. The sound echoes through the building, and I know everyone is wondering what’s going on. He’s carrying a pink slip of paper in his hand, my official write up. Slamming it on my desk, he pushes it toward me and I just smile at him.

“Don’t you know how to follow directions? Haley told me she let you know I needed to see you over thirty minutes ago.” His face is blood red and I can tell he’s pissed, but I just continue to smile.

I pick up the pink slip and it’s got all the dates I’ve been late for the last three months. I go down the list knowing that I must have subconsciously hated my job, although I never did anything about it. Just as he’s staring at me, I grab the slip and rip it into confetti pieces.

He scoffs, his face contorting as if he’s possessed, and all I can do is laugh.

“Huffman, I quit. You can take this job and shove it straight up your rude ass.” I don’t raise my voice. I don’t lose control. Instead, I stay calm and grab my stuff before walking out of my office.

Huffman follows me down the hallway. “You can’t quit!”

I turn around and look him dead in the eyes just as people begin to crowd. “I can do whatever I want. You don’t own me. And until you start learning how to treat people with respect, that entrance is going to be a revolving door,” I tell him. Glancing over, I see Lucy beaming. I know she’s halfway tempted to give me a round of applause for finally sticking up for myself. Apparently, I’ve been passive over the last few years. 

As soon as I step outside, the sun beams down on me as happiness radiates through me.

Maybe it’s out of habit, but Logan is the first person I call.

“I just quit my job,” I say quickly as I walk to my car. My voice is elated, and I can’t stop smiling ear to ear. There’s silence on the other end.

“Are you feeling okay?” Logan asks.

I hear concern wrapped in his tone.

“Truthfully, I’m freaking out a little, but I checked my bank account, and apparently I did a really good job of saving over the last few years so I should be okay until I figure out my next step.”

More silence.

“This conversation just became really awkward.” I shut the door to my car and crank it.

“Sorry, just shocked, I think. I thought you enjoyed your job. You were really good at it.” Logan’s words make me somewhat second-guess my decision because he knows me better than anyone. “But if you weren’t happy, I totally understand,” he adds.

Relief floods through me. “Thank you. I wasn’t. I’ve got some big plans I want to tell you about.”

My phone starts buzzing as I sit in the parking lot and I pull it away from my ear and see Courtney’s blowing me up with text messages. I instantly start laughing.

“Sorry, Courtney is planning a get together tonight to celebrate me being a badass or something. Are you free?”

“I am. Text me the details. I’ll be there.”

“Great, I will.”

And before we end the call, he continues.

“And Kayla? You are a badass.”

I laugh. “Thanks, Logan.” I don’t know why, but I needed to hear that from him today.

We say our goodbyes, and I promise to let him know what’s going on though I know Courtney’s probably already texted the entire gang with the plans. On the drive home, I almost can’t believe what I just did. I quit my job. Starting now, I’m officially on my own clock and can do the things I want.

It’s freeing.

Courtney plans for us to get together at Good Times and it feels more like old times. We used to go and dance our asses off there on the weekends right after college graduation. I let Logan know and he informs me Courtney’s already threatened him into going. That makes me laugh; she has my back no matter what. She always has.

Hours pass, and I can’t remember the last time I was this happy. Maybe when I adopted my fur babies or finished school with honors, but this is different. I feel alive.

Before getting ready to meet everyone, I decide to pour a glass of celebratory wine then go to the bathroom, fill the tub full of hot water and thrown in a bath bomb. Relaxing, I sink down in the tub and think about everything that’s happened today. My thoughts turn to Logan and that damn kiss fills my mind again. I’d never been kissed with such fervor, and I’m still reliving it.

Once the water turns cold, I get out of the tub and head back into my room to get dressed. Knowing we’re going out means dressing up, so I choose a skirt and low-cut silk blouse. I curl my hair and apply smokey eyes and red lipstick. Glancing in the mirror in my bedroom, I look as fierce as I feel, and that makes me smile with confidence.

The time passes quickly, and after I finish getting ready, I head out to Good Times. I park, grab my phone, and walk inside. As soon as I walk through the door, Courtney, Drew, Viola, Travis, and Logan all give me a big applause, along with hoots and hollers. I blush in embarrassment at the attention, but smile and laugh nonetheless. Courtney rushes over to me and links her arm in mine as she escorts me to the table they have near the bar. My eyes meet Logan’s and when he smiles at me, I feel nervous. Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I’m thankful the room is dimly lit.

“So, tell us everything,” Courtney says, sipping a glass of water.

I explain exactly how it went down and everyone is smiling and laughing. It feels good to be with them, to be in their company, and if I close my eyes, I can almost imagine how our lives used to be before the accident. When I glance at Drew, I can see how much he loves Courtney and it warms my heart to know they finally found each other.

A waitress walks up and I order a dirty martini. Once it’s in my hand, I drink half of it. Logan watches me as I down the rest and head to the dance floor with Courtney and Viola.

“I feel like we’re in college again,” I yell over the music.

Courtney dry humps my leg and laughs the whole time. Viola shakes her head at Courtney but that only encourages her to go over to Viola and give her leg some lovin’. Every guy in this place is watching us dance on each other right now and that makes me laugh even harder. One of those slow couple songs starts playing and Drew and Travis walk onto the dance floor toward their ladies. Just as I begin to walk back to our table, my hand is grabbed and I’m spun around. I’m met with bright green eyes that have heat and passion behind them.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Logan leans down and whispers in my ear. I let out a breath.

“Back to the table. I-I didn’t think you wanted to dance with me.” He looks down at me, and I instinctively lick my lips remembering how he tasted.

“Oh, Angel. I’d dance with you until the sun rises.” He winks, placing his hands on my hips as if he’s claiming me and pulls me close enough for our bodies to touch. I close my eyes, allowing the music to whisk us away to somewhere else where it’s just him and me. We’re in sync with one another, and I stiffen when I feel his hardness press against me. Holy shit. I swallow hard and am almost thankful the slow song ends and something more fast-paced comes on.

“I’ve missed you,” he whispers in my ear before walking back to the table where Courtney is chatting about how she might quit her job too. Considering she works for Travis, it’s extra funny. She lives to give him a hard time.

“I think you need a shot,” Courtney says, seeing how flushed my face is, but that’s for good reason. Logan is...well equipped. And he was mine. God, if I ever wished I could remember the past, it’s now. Right now.

Courtney hands me a shot of tequila and I do the routine with the salt and lime. It burns as it goes down, but I don’t complain. It’s exactly what I need to get my mind off things that I shouldn’t be thinking about, like Logan’s huge...

After another martini, I start feeling the effects of the alcohol. Tonight is exactly what I’ve been missing. To have friends that care about me so much makes me feel loved. I’ll forever be grateful for their friendship. The night passes so quickly with all the dancing and chatting, and around one a.m., we’re all ready to leave.

I open my app, ready to schedule an Uber when Logan playfully takes my phone and locks it before handing it back to me.

“I can drive you home,” he offers with a sexy smirk. The alcohol is giving me a little too much courage and I try to hold back everything I want to say. Somehow, I manage. 

I tilt my head and admire his full lips, chiseled jaw, and messy hair. He watches me linger on his mouth before I meet his eyes. “Always my Knight in shining armor.”