Page 22

Subject: What I Need Today.

You in my office for a meeting at ten.

Michael Leighton

CEO, Leighton Publishing

What the!

I turned around immediately, finding myself face to face with Michael. “You seriously expect me to be able to get to work and hold a ten o’clock meeting with you today?”

“Yes.” He pulled me toward the bed. “I have some former fantasies of my own I’d like us to fulfill in my office...”

THE EMAILS

Mya

Subject: Non-Assholery Report #15 (Get Used to This New Gmail Account)

He bought me flowers today. Fresh white lilies from my favorite florist. (A florist I don’t recall ever telling him about...)

But then he asked me to sign that extension again.

Maybe he’s not that bad after all? Or is this just the sex talking?

Your bestie,

Mya

Subject: Re: Non-Assholery Report #15 (Get Used to This New Gmail Account)

It’s. Just. The. Sex. Talking.

Please!

(But I will admit that him sending you flowers and getting your coffee every morning is a nice and necessary change...It’s still the sex talking though. :) )

Your bestie,

Amy

Subject: Apple Just Turned Me Down...

Apple just called me and said they will not be able to offer me employment based on “extensive conversations with my reference.” Do you think Brad said something negative about me? :(

PS—Google just called me and said the same thing...

Your bestie,

Mya

Subject: Re: Apple Just Turned Me Down...

I’m so sorry, Mya. I’m sure this only means that you’re going to land a job at one of the other companies and it’ll be a much better fit for you.

I highly doubt Brad said anything negative about you though. He’s loved you since your first interview and practically thinks you’re the reason Mr. Leighton has become a better executive. Why don’t you ask him what he said?

Your bestie,

Amy

PS—Well, we won’t use Google anymore! I’m switching to Bing at this very moment!

Subject: Re: Re: Apple Just Turned Me Down...

I called Brad on my lunch break. He said he had nothing but high praises for me when Apple and Google called. Then he said Michael was the last person who spoke with all the companies.

I can’t believe he would try to sabotage me behind my back...

Especially now that we’re sleeping together. :(

Your bestie,

Mya

THE ASSISTANT

Mya

Manhattan, New York

I rocked my hips against Michael’s face one morning, moaning as he slid his tongue against my clit again and again. His hands were gripping my thighs, steadying me as I began to shake.

“Oh goddddd, oh godddd...” I cried out, holding on to the wall behind him as I came on his lips.

Shutting my eyes, I felt my legs go slack, felt him moving me onto his lap. When I finally stopped shaking, he picked me up and carried me over to his office sofa. I felt him wiping between my legs with a warm cloth, and then he stepped away into his private bathroom.

He returned seconds later and sat next to me, running his fingers through my hair.

“I hope you enjoyed that,” I said softly, pushing his hand away. “I’m pretty sure that’s the last time I’ll let you fuck me.”

“Excuse me?”

“Were you sabotaging my career behind my back in hopes that I’d eventually sign your extension contract? Did you honestly think you could somehow use the fact that we’ve had sex, or the fact that I like you, to prevent me from going to another company?”

He raised his eyebrow, having the audacity to look confused.

“Apple called me yesterday and said they moved on with another candidate because my boss, i.e. you, wasn’t able to give me a stellar enough recommendation for their company.” I stood up, preventing him from pulling me close. “Google said the very same thing. And just this morning, I received two voicemails from Amazon and Microsoft, three from other companies, and I’m sure when I go downstairs to listen to them, they’ll tell me the same thing.”

“Mya...”

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry I ever thought that there was even a slight chance that the two of us could work out when I left your company, and I’m sorry I ever thought you were anything more than a pompous, selfish, asshole because you clearly still are.”

“Sexy as hell or not?”

“Yes. Sexy as hell or—” I stopped myself. “That’s not the point of what I’m trying to say. I put in my notice with Human Resources before I came up here, so I highly suggest you accept it, and I highly suggest you give me one hell of a ‘goodbye’ package because you will not be seeing me again.”

“Are you finished talking yet?”

“Yes.” I rushed toward the door, but he caught me from behind and spun me around.

“I would never sabotage you, Mya.” He wiped away one of my stray tears with his fingertips. “Of course, deep down I did want you to stay, but I had nothing but nice things to say about you. I even said they’d be foolish not to hire you, but—”

“But?” I glared at him. “But what?”

“But if they thought the low-ass salaries they were offering were good enough for you, they needed to increase them exponentially or move along to someone else. I thought you deserved more.”

“Is that all?”