Assisting The Boss

1

Arden

What the hell was I doing in this bar?

I had no idea what possessed me to agree to come here tonight. I'm ready to go home, put on my pajamas and watch Netflix. I promised my sister I'd stay for at least an hour but honestly that was a mistake.

I'm sitting at the end of the bar doing shots alone with no one to talk to. 'Come out,' my sister said. 'It'll be fun,' she said. Well, an hour and six shots in all I've got is a good buzz and a headache from over thinking. I down shot number seven and finish off my margarita on the rocks then pay my tab.

Tonight, was supposed to be about my sister Aria. My personal pity party didn't belong here ruining the vibe. Aria had gotten her dream job at Keen, Percy, and Gamble 2 years ago. After she worked her ass off and wowed all the partners it was her time to shine! Her promotion was well deserved. My sister's work ethic, intelligence, attention to detail, and her ambitiousness are why she's here celebrating another win.

I watch as she interacts with friends and coworkers. She owns the room flashing that 1000 watt smile and clinking glasses cheering. Her beautiful butter pecan skin glistening under the shitty bar lights. Her dress showing off the curves she stayed in the gym to perfect. Her beautiful features accented by the light coating of make up by her own hands. And her hair silk pressed to perfection.

I was supposed to be playing cheerleader but instead I was sulking in a corner over the fact that I couldn't find a job and that my big sister's new promotion was taking her away from me. I loved seeing her happy but I wanted her happy and in Texas. This promotion would transfer her to the London branch for three months and if it all went well, they'd offer her a permanent position in London. God, I'm gonna miss her. She's been all I've had since I was fifteen. Thinking about her leaving causes my mind to drift back to our parents and how I wish they were here to see her in this moment.

We'd spent the last week shopping to get her a new wardrobe for her business trip. Now she's leaving me. And I'd stay here. Alone.

I can't help but wonder what my life would be like without her around. Everyday we had lunch together either over facetime or in person; would that continue? Who'd I call drunk at 2am to babble to in my uber ride home. Growing up with it being only the two of us she was my only constant especially after both of our parents passed away. Despite being raised by our Aunt Minnie, she was the only family I had left in the world, and she was moving a world away.

Looking over once more seeing my sister smiling and enjoying herself, I automatically decide it's time for me to go. I paste my best smile on and begin to cross the bar to tell my sister goodbye a very large male body steps in front of me.

"Hi, I'm Josh. Josh Payten," his tone is cocky like I just NEED to know him. He was tall and lanky, pale skin with an over gelled slicked back hairstyle. Bearded. He looked like a guy that could be seen on the front of a travel brochure.

"I...," Before I can politely tell him I'm not interested I feel another body standing closely behind me.

"Hey," as soon as I hear the voice I know exactly who mt rescuer is, "I leave you alone for 5 minutes and you're already flirting with someone else."

Sebastian Keen. My sister's boss and best friend.

I could picture his sculpted face, dark hair, and green eyes. He's probably giving this poor guy a damn death stare of his life. Whenever he's around that's all he does, give death stares and piss me off.

"I was actually on the way to say goodbye to my sister," I play along, "This gentleman was just introducing himself."

"Actually, I was just wondering if you'd like to go out sometime Ms...," The Josh guy says taking his eyes off the man behind me to look at me.