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Or maybe it’ll smooth things over, and Owen won’t be pissed at me for today.
That thought was enough for me to go ahead and hit the button, pending the follow request.
Hopefully this doesn’t backfire on me.
3
OLIVIA
“What the...” I stared at the screen in front me as I rode in the cab toward the office party. The pending follow request from Eli was... surprising. I mean, honestly, why would he want to follow me on social media?
Maybe he does it for all his employees?
I blew out a sharp breath and accepted the request, before quickly going through all my pictures on my page—not that it mattered. Eli clearly already hated me, and it was the first day. I had known the man less than twenty-four hours and somehow managed to get on his shit list right off the bat.
Ugh.
“Ma’am,” the driver broke into my thoughts. “We’re here.”
“Sorry,” I muttered, giving him an apologetic smile and opening the door. “Thank you for the ride.”
“Just doing my job,” he chuckled as I shut the door. I watched him pull away and smoothed out my black cocktail dress. It was a little tighter than I preferred, but I hadn’t exactly had much notice, and New York was a little chillier than Los Angeles. My jacket options were less than subpar, and my dresses were mostly sleeveless. I had opted for a black dress with lace sleeves...
And I was still freezing.
“Yo, sis,” a familiar voice called out from behind me. “You’re looking sharp!”
I smiled, spinning to see Owen jogging toward me in a nice suit. “I didn’t know that you came to the parties.”
“Well, I never miss them, to be honest. Free booze.”
Relief washed over me as my brother fell in step with me, slowing down for my little legs. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Yeah, I know you had a rough first day with the whole coffee incident, but I really think you’re overthinking it. Eli is so chill. He’s soiled plenty of those designer suits, trust me.”
My face contorted with disgust. “I don’t even want to know how.”
“No, no you really don’t,” he chuckled, shuddering. “He’s done plenty of questionable things when it comes to parties.”
“Like office parties?” My mind flashed to the exchange between Eli and Brittany.
“Oh god, no. Eli takes his business very seriously. He never gets involved with anyone who works for him. He’s super careful with those relationships—won’t even follow them on social media or anything. I think it’s a little over the top, but then again, knowing how he is, I get it.”
I nodded, though my head was spinning—why did he follow me then?
I’m Owen’s sister, maybe.
“Have you met anyone yet? There’re quite a few writers I think you’d hit it off with here.” Owen was talking as though I hadn’t just spent the entire day in total misery.
“Uh, I’m hoping to get better acquainted tonight.”
Or just get fired. That wouldn’t be bad, either.
“Yeah, this is a great way to get to know everyone. I can introduce you, if you need me to?” He looked over at me with an eager look—almost too eager.
“He really does hate me, doesn’t he?” I demanded as we headed through the lobby to the elevator. “Like, just be honest with me, Owen.”
“He doesn’t hate you.”
