Kennedy drops me off, since she needed to use her car to run some errands while I was at work. I didn't even tell Kennedy about my meeting with Hazel. The less I talk about it, the less real it feels, so I can't get more worried.

I draw in a large inhale before knocking on the door of Hazel's office.

"Come in," she says in a flat tone.

"Hi, Hazel, how are you today?" I ask, trying to act like this is just any other day.

"Fine, but I wanted to talk about what happened with the emergency back door last night."

"Okay," I reply not knowing if I'm supposed to start explaining what happened, but I still don't know what rendition of a story I even want to tell.

"Mallory says that you didn't come to the main desk to meet her to help with closing. And after looking at the security footage, it appears that you and that client of yours left about a half hour after store closing. Care to explain?"

Not really. Shit.

"Um, yes, I'm so sorry about that," I start apologizing. "I was finishing up with the client, and we were trying to pick out the perfect pictures, especially since he paid so much."

I cross my legs nervously. I think I delivered that well, but Hazel does not looked amused.

"Interesting, because when I was panning through the security footage, it looked like you and that man were doing a lot more than looking at photos."

Oh, fuck me. I had no idea there was a security camera in the photography room. I guess since it has so much equipment. I can't even process that my boss just saw me having sex. And not just some vanilla sex. Not that that would make the situation any less awkward.

"I- I'm so sorry. Didn't someone call to clear things up earlier?"

"Apparently the police and security were alerted shortly after not to worry about the alarm. Plus a bit of 'inconvenience' money was given out to the security guards on duty, apparently so they wouldn't look into the incident any more." So Bawdy did help to take care of the situation. "But, it seems like security forgot that any opening alerts also get sent to my email."

Now how was I supposed to know that. My mouth goes dry, and I try to swallow to prepare to say something. Anything. But I'm worried that if I open my mouth I'm going to start crying.

Hazel continues. "Listen, Gianna. You've been such a great worker, but I'm going to have to let you go effective immediately. I hate to be the one to put my foot down to someone as sweet as you, but that type of behavior is wildly inappropriate."

Please don't start crying.

"Hazel, I- I'm sorry." I feel the hot burn of tears challenging to exit my tear ducts. I don't have it in me to fight this. I don't even think I could show my face again here.

"So am I. I really saw such bright things for your future."

I nod a goodbye and hurry out the door, my pace quickening once I'm out of eyesight. I've just fucked myself so much losing this job. I can barely see through my built up tears as I call Kennedy to pick me up.

"Awh, Gianna, I'll be there as soon as I can." Kennedy left the cart that she had started adding to at Target and immedietly drove to get to me.

I recount what happened, tears now rolling down my cheeks.

"Well, fuck, Gianna. I didn't know you had that in you," Kennedy replies with wide eyes.

"Now I don't have a job," I whine, "and I'm hungry, and I don't want to lie in bed and cry all night, but I know I'm going to the second we get home."

"I was going to Iris's in a bit. Do you want to come with? We can order some food. Try to take your mind off of it or brainstorm ideas. Whichever you're feeling if you're up to it."

Kennedy and her planning. This type of thing would never happen to her. She would never slip up like this at work. I barely even thought about if I would get in trouble when we started having sex. Any thoughts of consequences completely vanished from my mind. All that I knew was that I wanted him then.

"You know what, fuck them," I say raising my voice, turning the sadness into anger. "Fucking Pelgram's. I think that's just want I need."

Shit, Iris is going to wonder why I didn't tell her about any of that. Kennedy was on the phone while she drove me to work, so I didn't even get to tell her about my Bawdy run in yesterday yet. I was planning on it after work.

We go straight to Iris's apartment, and I recap her on everything without leaving out details this time.

"Oh, Gianna, you should have told me everything that happened," Iris says, but she's not angry. I notice Kennedy narrow her gaze, likely questioning why I wouldn't have told Iris what actually happened.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know. It's not something any of us have ever talked about before. I didn't even know how to explain it," I reply.

"Well, I guess this is a better time than ever to tell you girls about the time my ex and I fucked in the bathroom at last year's photography exhibit if that helps."

My hand moves over my open mouth, and Kennedy raises her eyebrows. "You, slut!" I say, leaning over on the couch to hit Iris's arm.

She answers with a laugh, "Shut up, at least I didn't get fired."

"You have a point there." I laugh, but the sting is still too recent to be able to cope with the situation using jokes. "Anything you'd like to share, Kennedy?"

"I'm more of a in a bed type of person," she replies as expected.

And so was I until Bawdy introduced that to me.

I switch out of my work shirt and put on one of Iris's sweatshirts. I don't want to be reminded about it any more.

Our Mexican food gets delivered along with a bottle of tequila.

Iris mixes us up some drinks. Her and Kennedy are on their first, while I'm already downing my second.

Kennedy remarks, "Damn, Gianna, pace yourself."

"I barely even feel it," I reply with a laugh. Okay, maybe a little, but I'm not even approaching drunk.

"Look at Bawdy helping you get over your dry spell and helping to build your tolerance," Iris responds with cheer.

Kennedy rolls her eyes. "Yes, what a great characteristic to enhance."

"I think someone needs a shot," I say a bit too loudly.

While Kennedy may have the voice of reason between the three of us, she does know how to let loose a bit. The few rounds of shots definitely help. Looks like she's not driving us home tonight.

"Guys," I say banging my fist down on the coffee table, "who the fuck is going to write my letter of recommendation now?"

As much as I tried to distract myself, I unfortunately found myself back to worrying. Hazel was going to be my reference for the future. She even offered to write me a letter of recommendation. There's no way that I can ask her now. If she even agreed, she would just tell them that I'm too horny for my own good. Unless I'm applying to be a stripper, I don't think that trait is going to be found on their desired qualities list.

Unless the hiring man is hot. Then maybe it could help.

Fuck, my thoughts are going all over the place. They're spinning, which doesn't help since the room was already tilting a bit.

"Worry about that later," Iris soothes me. "At least now you'll have more time to spend with me."

And more time to spend with Bawdy.

I texted him saying that I got fired, but I knew he probably couldn't reply for a bit. I decide to make my way to the bathroom, insisting to Kennedy and Iris that I'm capable of walking in a straight line myself. After peeing and washing my hands, I pull out my phone, seeing a missed call from Bawdy and a text.

Bawdy: I'm so sorry, baby girl. What happened?

Another text 10 minutes later.

Bawdy: What's your manager's name?

I don't see how that would matter, but I give him call back, hoping that he answers.

He picks up. "Why the fuck would they fire you? Those idiots weren't supposed to say a thing."

I explain that Hazel got an email anyways and saw us on the video footage.

"Shit, well, I can just send her some money. I'm sure you can get your job back," he replies. "Also, baby girl, it appears that you are quite drunk."

I thought I was doing a great job speaking words properly. Perhaps not.

"And why would you say that, hmmmm?" I slur, answering my own question. "But, no, no I can't go back there. She's seen you going inside me. You can't just bribe everyone."

"Everyone has their price," he replies, his voice sounding extremely sexy over the phone. It's the first time we've even talked on the phone. I wish this first memory would have been in a better scenario.

"Nooo, you can't go throwing money around at everyone," I reply, but I don't even know if I mean it. Money is nice. Why not bribe people.

"Well, did you at least get a copy of that video," he says slyly.

I gasp. "You can't be serious, fucker!" I just got fired for having sex at work, and he just wants the recording.

"Maybe she just fired you out of jealously," he replies laughing.

I think he's joking with me, although I know he wouldn't mind getting that tape. It'd be wild to see myself like he had me.

Actually, Hazel doesn't have a husband. Maybe she was jealous that I was getting dick and she isn't. And good dick for that matter. So fucking good.

"Okay, well, I'm going to get back to eating with the girls. I think Iris was about to pour us another shot."

"Well, have fun, baby girl. How are you getting home?"

That's a wonderful question that we apparently did not think about before Kennedy started drinking.

"Guess we'll Uber and get Kennedy's car some how tomorrow. That's a tomorrow problem."

"I'm sending a car."

"I don't need your car."

"Gianna, you're quite drunk, and I'd rather you not get kidnapped or, probably more likely, throw up in that vehicle."

"Mmmm, okay, fineee. I'll text you the address."

I hang up, and my smile is spread ear to ear. The way that he cares so much about me is more than I could have ever imagined.