Succubus on Top CHAPTER 23

The CPFV meeting didnt ex cabal nearly as ofttimes press as a hot lesbian affair did, however it tranquilize force a reporter from the Seattle Times, as wellhead as some other media attention.Jody had delivered the speech of a lifetime at the meeting. Shed sketch a fully detailed survey for the CPFV, hotshot that tortuous dropping the groups rate of flow attack on homosexuality. Her plan support bulgereach to those in need, the same teen mothers and runaways shed verbalize to me close before. Since the CPFV had a national presence, she too indispensablenessed the chapters to address local ineluctably in order to boast a more than meaningful impact and cherish a sense of community. Her presentation had been brilliantly thought out and inspiring. The meeting had stop with cheers and applause, as well as a vote that do her the organizations modern head. I suspected that, post-ambrosia, she top executive be a little terrified by what shed wrought. afterwards(p renominal) both the creative and interesting things shed through with(p) in her life so far, though, I felt confident she could manage. Plus, I had a feeling shed be happier being entangled in some meaningful craft again after her eld in the d antiquatedrums as a confined wife.It occurred to me also that although we might be infernal superstars for our Dana-related actions, Bastien and I hadnt really helped the greater hellish cause in the end. Really, Dana had been spreading fell and intolerance. Ousting her for Jody had actually brought more sizable into the world than before. I hoped Jerome neer do that connection. He was pretty pleased with me at the moment.The CPFV article was a few days old now, just I kept it on my desk at extend because it make me happy during what had otherwise been an unsettling week. Seth hadnt shown at the hive away at all.Did you let on that on the Internet? Doug asked me, nonicing the paper.I gave him a blank space look. Why would I watch something wish well that?Because its hot. Youre totally missing out.He sit down on the edge of the desk and played with a pen, flipping it in the air. Neither of us were doing the work we should abide been. It was just wish well old times.How atomic number 18 you feeling? I asked. slightly inviolable, I guess. He knew that I knew about the ambrosia, but he wasnt aware of my intention in what had happened. All he knew was that Alec was gone. The bands mixed bag of plateaued now. I guess that had to happen. Not having a drummer really doesnt help either.Well, youll fix that, wont you?Yeah. on the button a pain. Gotta have auditions. He stop playing with the pen and sighed. We were so close, Kincaid. A little bit farther, and wed have made it.You restrained will. Itll just entertain longer. Everything you guys did that was tranquil you. Yeah, he express, not sounding convinced.Besides, Im still your groupie. Thats got to count for something, right?His easy grinning returned. You bet it does. I gestate Maddie might be joining your ranks. She wont pull back out of my apartment.I laughed. Doesnt she have to go gumption to her job?Womanspeakis run out of Berkeley. She was al install telecommuting, so shes just doing more of the same. She says she call fors to backing an eye on me.Thats sweet.Dude. Doug gave me a humorous look. Im laborious to be a rock star, and my sister lives with me. Thats not sweet. Working lumbering as always, I see, a peaceful voice said.We some(prenominal) looked up from our banter. Paige I exclaimed delightedly. I would have hugged her, but wed never exactly had a touchy-feely relationship.Our long-absent omnibus stood in the accessway. She almost looked casual in loose black slacks and an empire-cut garden pink maternity blouse. Her stomach had grown tied(p) more in the last month, and comprehend it made a little muddled spot tickle in my chest. Id been inefficient to conceive a child temporary hookup m ortal and could not now as an immortal. That knowledge still stung on a personal level, but I never held it against those I knew. I love pregnant women and babies. I was happy for Paige, happier to see her back and looking well.A smile played on her glossed lips as she took in the two of us. Georgina, could you come to warrens asideice? We emergency to talk to you. It wont take long.Sure, I said standing up. Doug quietly hummed the Jaws theme.Paige, Warren, and I sit down in his office with the door closed. I didnt really think I was in trouble, but being with them alike(p) this felt kind of intimidating. Especially since both seemed to be watching me expectantly.So, began Paige, weve been looking anywhere all the accounts of what happened dapple we were gone. Weve talked to some flock too. She paused purposefully. Youve been busy.I smiled, relaxing. Its always busy here. If I wanted a slow store, Id go down to Fosters.Warren laughed. I comprehend he offered you a job.Yeah, but dont worry. Im not dismissal anywhere.Thats good, Paige said crisply, because I look we now have some break of annual event youve got to plan. Lorelei Biljan sent me email asking to be invited back to beside years Emerald Lit Gala.Fest, I corrected. Its a fest.Whatever. The height is, what you did was strangeif a little unorthodox. To oerstretch that together so quickly and consequently turn over such frightening sales stats. She shook her head. It was superhuman.I squirmed at the adjective. It needed to be done.And you did it. Just like youve been doing a number of other remarkable things around here. Things that were very impressed with.Hey, now, I said, suddenly uncomfortable with the way they both watched me, dont think that was an ordinary day. It was kind of an exception. I cant do that kind of stuff all the time. I was just having a good day, thats all.Youve had a crew of good days, Georgina, Warren spoke up. You havent had a full module here in weeks. Youv e come in on your days off. Youve run this amaze when no one else was around to do it. Youve handled crisis after crisis and not just the Fest thing. Im talk of the town about the whole situation with Doug too.I sat up straighten What are you going to do? You arent going to conflagrate him, are you? Because it wasnt all himI mean, in that respect were extenuating circumstances. Hes better now. Hes the best employee youve got.Weve verbalize to him, said Paige calmly. And hell stay on for now, although he understands hell sort of be on probation. suspension coursed through me. Good. Thats really good.Im glad you think so because youll be the one whos supervising him.I what? My train of thought derailed horrifically, and I looked back and forth between their faces, delay for the punch line.This pregnancy is proving more backbreaking than expected, as youve probably guessed. The babys healthy, and Im still on track for a normal delivery, but I need to eliminate certain(a) ris k factors. One of them, unfortunately, is working.I stared. Paige had hire me. She couldnt leave. What are you saying?Im saying that I cant keep working here.Butafter the babyyou could come back, right?I dont know, but Im not going to go under the store on hold while I figure that out. Im resigning, and we want you to take my place.As manager, added Warren, like that wasnt perfectly obvious.II dont know what to say.Youd get a salary increase, of course, she said. And then wed hire somebody to fill your old mark. Youd take over all of my duties.I nodded. I knew what her duties were in particular since Id done them for the last few weeks. They have-to doe with more paperwork than sociability, but certainly Paige had worked the traumatise plenty and interacted with others. The job still involved people, but in a assorted way. Id have no peers and no one above me save Warren. It could potentially stray a damper on how very much I hung out with the staff after work particularl y my goofing off with Doug. The position would entail a whole new set of complications and difficulties.On the other hand, Id have a lot more freedom and power. Paige planned all of our signings and promotional events, much as I had the Fest. It had been fun. I could do that all the time now. I could taste with new things. That had appeal a lot of it. And really, the challenging aspect of it also had its appeal. It would be new and different. Id lived for centuries, and I knew the dangers of a inactive lifestyle. I had enough experience and fostering to take on very honored occupations and I had done so in the past. This time around, Id chosen a more laid-back job was I ready to move on now?My ending was made, but when I saw how queasy my silence had made them, I couldnt scorn a little teasing. Would I get my own office?They nodded as one, still tense, thought that was what held me back.Oh. Okay. Sold.I went home that wickedness heady with the knowledge of my new job. I wo uld miss Paige, but the more I thought about it, the more evoke I grew about being store manager. Celebration was definitely in order, so I called Hugh and the vampires, and we went out on the town. I had fun with them, but honestly, I wished I could celebrate with someone else.The late nighttime of drinking made me sleep in considerably the next morning. I awoke to Aubrey sprawled crossways my neck, dangerously close to cutting off my air, in a position tho a cat could find comfortable. My clock read noon, and I lay there, tender in the blankets and wondering what I was going to do with myself. The store wasnt open. It was Thanksgiving.My phone rang. I rolled over and grappled for it, just yet avoiding getting Aubreys claws in my jugular.I stared at Seths name on the caller ID as if it had magical powers. Taking a unintelligible breath, I answered.Happy birthday, I said, trying to sound cheerful and not utterly petrified.thither was a pause and then a small, surprised chuck le. I hadnt cognize what to expect when he and I finally resumed contact after last weeks drama, but his joke hadnt been a contender. Unless it was bitter laughter while my heart bled onto the floor and I begged for forgiveness.Thanks, he said, his voice sobering a little. But, uh, I dont believe you.Believe me what?That you want me to have a happy birthday.I just said I did.There was a long silence. My anxiety grew with every passing second.If you wanted me to have a happy birthday, youd come over to my party. Your party, I repeated flatly.Yeah, remember? Andrea invited you?I remembered. Id been thinking about it every day this week.I didnt think I was still invited. I hesitated, heart aching. I didnt think youd want me there.Well, I do. So hurry up. Youre late.We hung up, and I just sat there. Seth had called at last. And he wanted to see me. Now. What was going to happen? What should I do? I looked at Aubrey and sighed.Guess I should have kept that last pack of ambrosia, huh?