Chapter 18
Exhausted from crying herself to sleep the night before, Amber rolled over and slammed the snooze alarm button at least three times, cursing that it was already morning and began debating on whether or not she’d even bother to go to work. Between the deal with Rafe, meeting his wife, Summer being a snarky bitch and Evan’s inappropriate comments, she really didn’t want to deal with any of them today. Seeing Evan and Rafael would be a given since they had a meeting to discuss their latest project and she was expected to attend. Groaning when the alarm sounded again, she dragged herself out of bed and hit the shower. Giving either of them the satisfaction of knowing she’d cried all night wasn’t happening, not today, hell, not ever.
Dressed in an outfit she knew would pop both of their eyes out, she felt satisfied and headed out the door determined to not show any outward sign that they’d affected her negatively. Turning on her radio, she automatically pressed the CD button and the strains of Bed of Roses filtered into the car. Cursing her immediate physical reaction to hearing it, she flipped it to Wanted, memories of Jon sitting on her bed serenading her weren’t associated with that song at least.
Fairly certain that after her behavior last night she wouldn’t have the pleasure of him in her bed again, despite the pleading in those azure blue eyes. No, she was going to have to forget his touch, his taste and the heady scent of him after making love. Turning the music up in an attempt to drown out her memories of his naked body next to hers, the slight rasp of his crisp chest hairs against her sensitive nipples, the yielding tender feel of his lips on hers....stop it....it was just a fling for him...forget Jon Bon Jovi!
She attempted to force herself to believe he wasn’t interested in more than sex, even when a tiny corner of her brain rationalized that he sounded sincere. Remembering then that he not only didn’t know her last name, he’d never asked for her phone number and she doubted he knew her home address, even if the limo driver was told it Saturday night. Convinced now that she was little more than an easy lay, her self-loathing at being so easy for him kicked her in the ass a little harder.
By the time she made it into the office she’d worked herself into a foul mood and her temper was simmering just below the surface. Walking past her friend that was the receptionist, Amber didn’t acknowledge anyone as she went straight to her desk that was adored with a bouquet of astonishingly beautiful deep red roses. Picking the card out, she saw they were from Rafael with an apology that she snorted at before she grabbed the cut crystal vase and hauled them into the kitchen where she deposited them vase and all in the trash to the bewilderment of those making their morning coffee. Sneering as she exited, she flipped back a comment “not my color”. Returning to her desk she buried herself in the work waiting until it was time for the meeting and then got up, grabbed her pad and the notes she would need to go over with the two men that currently were at the top of her shit list.
“Amber, could you get us some coffee? Rafe takes it...”
“I know how Rafael takes his coffee, Evan, just like I know how you take yours and you know what? Neither of you have broken legs, so get your own damn coffee! I’m not your waitress; I’m the production assistant. I came here prepared for this meeting, why didn’t you?” She knew that Evan was going to be pissed, but at this current moment she didn’t care, thinking to herself, so much for not showing her emotions.
One eyebrow shot up at her impertinent attitude. “Still having female problems?” It was the only thing that Evan could attribute her bitchiness to since she was the least confrontational woman he’d ever know.
“The only female problems I have are related to that bitch you’re married to, I don’t know how you put up with her.” Amber knew she was digging a hole and should shut up before she lost her job, yet she didn’t give a shit.
“That was uncalled for!”
“No! The way she treats me is uncalled for. I’m not interested in sleeping with you like she seems to believe. I didn’t come in here to discuss her though. I came to discuss this project, that in my opinion is going to bomb. The storyline is weak, the characters aren’t believable and worse yet, it’s way over budget and we haven’t even shot one scene.” Sitting down when she wanted to storm out, she waited to see how he took her proclamation. It was only then that she noticed Rafael sitting at the other end of the table listening intently to their argument, not that she cared what he thought right now. She was still too angry at having been so badly used.
Sitting back in his chair at the head of the table Evan considered her words carefully, too stunned that she panned the project that he was pushing for more money from the board of directors because of his faith in it. One thing he knew about her, she had a keen sense of what would sell. “And at what point had you planned on telling me this before you got so upset this morning?”
Shrugging Amber looked directly into his eyes. “I wasn’t. It’s your baby.”
Needing a cup of coffee, Rafael stood and headed out, he’d heard enough of this conversation “Evan, I’m going after coffee, you want some?”
“Yeah, black with three sugars. Thanks.” He waited for Rafe to leave before he continued. “Why are we so far over budget?”
“Because Mr. I’m the Hottest Thing Since Spielberg is spending stupid amounts of money on locations when we can use the studio’s sets. He wastes more money than we have in the entire budget. Couple that with the fact that this whole script sucks and we’re going to lose money. I told you when you first started this that I thought it was a mistake, but you weren’t listening, you were too busy trying to look down my blouse.”
“I never.”
“Yes, you did. I’ve also told you that our competition offered me a better paying position and you said you’d get me a raise. That was six months ago, Evan. When I got home last night there was another message on my voice mail. I quit.” His entire attitude made her decision for her, she’d been getting offers for the last couple years and it was time to make the change. Standing, she laid her notes in front of him. “Have a nice life, Evan.”
Rafe was entering the room as she left “why were the flowers I sent in the trash?”
“Because you’re a philandering asshole that needs to keep his pecker in his pants or your little trophy wife might find out what kind of scum she married. Stay the fuck away from me, Rafael.” Then she was gone to remove her personal belongings from her work area, as she left she invited Cassidy to stop by after work to celebrate finally telling Evan off.
Dressed in an outfit she knew would pop both of their eyes out, she felt satisfied and headed out the door determined to not show any outward sign that they’d affected her negatively. Turning on her radio, she automatically pressed the CD button and the strains of Bed of Roses filtered into the car. Cursing her immediate physical reaction to hearing it, she flipped it to Wanted, memories of Jon sitting on her bed serenading her weren’t associated with that song at least.
Fairly certain that after her behavior last night she wouldn’t have the pleasure of him in her bed again, despite the pleading in those azure blue eyes. No, she was going to have to forget his touch, his taste and the heady scent of him after making love. Turning the music up in an attempt to drown out her memories of his naked body next to hers, the slight rasp of his crisp chest hairs against her sensitive nipples, the yielding tender feel of his lips on hers....stop it....it was just a fling for him...forget Jon Bon Jovi!
She attempted to force herself to believe he wasn’t interested in more than sex, even when a tiny corner of her brain rationalized that he sounded sincere. Remembering then that he not only didn’t know her last name, he’d never asked for her phone number and she doubted he knew her home address, even if the limo driver was told it Saturday night. Convinced now that she was little more than an easy lay, her self-loathing at being so easy for him kicked her in the ass a little harder.
By the time she made it into the office she’d worked herself into a foul mood and her temper was simmering just below the surface. Walking past her friend that was the receptionist, Amber didn’t acknowledge anyone as she went straight to her desk that was adored with a bouquet of astonishingly beautiful deep red roses. Picking the card out, she saw they were from Rafael with an apology that she snorted at before she grabbed the cut crystal vase and hauled them into the kitchen where she deposited them vase and all in the trash to the bewilderment of those making their morning coffee. Sneering as she exited, she flipped back a comment “not my color”. Returning to her desk she buried herself in the work waiting until it was time for the meeting and then got up, grabbed her pad and the notes she would need to go over with the two men that currently were at the top of her shit list.
“Amber, could you get us some coffee? Rafe takes it...”
“I know how Rafael takes his coffee, Evan, just like I know how you take yours and you know what? Neither of you have broken legs, so get your own damn coffee! I’m not your waitress; I’m the production assistant. I came here prepared for this meeting, why didn’t you?” She knew that Evan was going to be pissed, but at this current moment she didn’t care, thinking to herself, so much for not showing her emotions.
One eyebrow shot up at her impertinent attitude. “Still having female problems?” It was the only thing that Evan could attribute her bitchiness to since she was the least confrontational woman he’d ever know.
“The only female problems I have are related to that bitch you’re married to, I don’t know how you put up with her.” Amber knew she was digging a hole and should shut up before she lost her job, yet she didn’t give a shit.
“That was uncalled for!”
“No! The way she treats me is uncalled for. I’m not interested in sleeping with you like she seems to believe. I didn’t come in here to discuss her though. I came to discuss this project, that in my opinion is going to bomb. The storyline is weak, the characters aren’t believable and worse yet, it’s way over budget and we haven’t even shot one scene.” Sitting down when she wanted to storm out, she waited to see how he took her proclamation. It was only then that she noticed Rafael sitting at the other end of the table listening intently to their argument, not that she cared what he thought right now. She was still too angry at having been so badly used.
Sitting back in his chair at the head of the table Evan considered her words carefully, too stunned that she panned the project that he was pushing for more money from the board of directors because of his faith in it. One thing he knew about her, she had a keen sense of what would sell. “And at what point had you planned on telling me this before you got so upset this morning?”
Shrugging Amber looked directly into his eyes. “I wasn’t. It’s your baby.”
Needing a cup of coffee, Rafael stood and headed out, he’d heard enough of this conversation “Evan, I’m going after coffee, you want some?”
“Yeah, black with three sugars. Thanks.” He waited for Rafe to leave before he continued. “Why are we so far over budget?”
“Because Mr. I’m the Hottest Thing Since Spielberg is spending stupid amounts of money on locations when we can use the studio’s sets. He wastes more money than we have in the entire budget. Couple that with the fact that this whole script sucks and we’re going to lose money. I told you when you first started this that I thought it was a mistake, but you weren’t listening, you were too busy trying to look down my blouse.”
“I never.”
“Yes, you did. I’ve also told you that our competition offered me a better paying position and you said you’d get me a raise. That was six months ago, Evan. When I got home last night there was another message on my voice mail. I quit.” His entire attitude made her decision for her, she’d been getting offers for the last couple years and it was time to make the change. Standing, she laid her notes in front of him. “Have a nice life, Evan.”
Rafe was entering the room as she left “why were the flowers I sent in the trash?”
“Because you’re a philandering asshole that needs to keep his pecker in his pants or your little trophy wife might find out what kind of scum she married. Stay the fuck away from me, Rafael.” Then she was gone to remove her personal belongings from her work area, as she left she invited Cassidy to stop by after work to celebrate finally telling Evan off.
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