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"Scotty, come on!" I push myself out of the back of the cab as best I can. "The sooner we get in there, the sooner we can leave."
"I'm coming." I almost stumble over my heels but I catch my balance just in time. My dress is thin and made out of pink sequins so I'm glad I decided to bring a coat to wear over it. We are under strict orders not to dress up for the dinner, which is a rule I don't hate seeing how the restaurant is rather upscale. "Thank God we drank before we came here."
"I don't think I could sit through an entire dinner with Victoria while sober," Arden says as we walk towards the glass doors.
"Yeah, she scares me sometimes," Emma seconds. "I mean she has this fierce look in her eyes, and even though it's inspiring it haunts me at night."
"I can see Victoria, so shut up," I tell them quietly as we approach the table where our boss is seated along with a handful of other employees at the magazine.
"Glad to see you ladies decided to join us." We all sit down and I notice there are no menus. "Since you are all late I took the liberty of ordering for you."
"That's fine," I pipe up, not really looking straight into her eyes in fear that I will get turned to stone if I do.
"Emma, how is that piece on retro sunglasses coming along?"
"It's going great," she beams. "It's turned into such a huge trend. I mean the glasses are so small that they won't protect you from the sun at all, but since they've become such an accessory it's being carried all the way into fall as well."
"Good," Victoria nods and I freeze when her eyes land on me. "Scotty. Richard and I are starting couples counseling next week so I will be in the mood for romance. I need you to write about love that inspires, not another story about what men do wrong. Apparently that won't get you anywhere."
"I'm actually seeing someone, so get ready to feel inspired."
"How lovely!" Victoria erupts. I'm pretty sure the glass of wine in front of her has been refilled. "I must know more about this man who has captured you."
...
"Can you believe she had the nerve to pitch embroidery to Victoria?" Emma exasperates as we ride the elevator up to Calum's apartment. "That's so last year."
"Right! And, dude, Mason totally stole your corduroy idea!" I slur in anger. "I swear next time I see him I'm going to choke him with brown polyester."
"Thank you, Scotty," she gushes and she pinches my cheeks. "You're such a good friend."
"Guys, what if I'll be a receptionist forever?" We look at Arden who is leaned against the elevator wall, her cheek pressed to the mirror that takes up most of it.
