Succubus on Top CHAPTER 23

The CPFV meeting didnt raise up nearly as much press as a hot lesbian skirmish did, but it put away drew a reporter from the Seattle Times, as well as some other media attention.Jody had delivered the speech of a lifetime at the meeting. Shed push throughline a fully detailed vision for the CPFV, one that involved dropping the groups current attack on homosexuality. Her plan encouraged outreach to those in need, the same juvenile mothers and digestaways shed spoken to me about before. Since the CPFV had a national presence, she also precious the chapters to address local needs in order to countenance a more important impact and foster a sense of community. Her presentation had been brilliantly thought out and inspiring. The meeting had ended with cheers and applause, as well as a suffrage that do her the organizations new head. I suspected that, post-ambrosia, she might be a little terrified by what shed wrought. After all the creative and interesting things shed through i n her life so far, though, I felt confident she could manage. Plus, I had a feeling shed be happier being involved in some meaningful vocation again after her days in the doldrums as a housebound wife.It occurred to me also that although we might be hellish superstars for our Dana-related actions, Bastien and I hadnt rightfully helped the greater diabolical cause in the end. Really, Dana had been spreading evil and intolerance. Ousting her for Jody had actually brought more hot into the world than before. I hoped Jerome never made that connection. He was pretty pleased with me at the moment.The CPFV article was a a couple of(prenominal) days old now, but I kept it on my desk at drop dead because it made me happy during what had otherwise been an unsettling week. Seth hadnt shown at the caudex at all.Did you see that on the Internet? Doug asked me, noticing the paper.I gave him a blank look. Why would I accompany something like that?Because its hot. Youre totally missing out.He sat 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 have been. It was unless like old times.How are you feeling? I asked.Pretty good, I guess. He knew that I knew about the ambrosia, but he wasnt aware of my role in what had happened. All he knew was that Alec was gone. The bands sort of plateaued now. I guess that had to happen. Not having a drummer really doesnt help either.Well, youll fix that, wont you?Yeah. Just 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 still will. Itll solely take longer. Everything you guys did that was still you. Yeah, he tell, not sound convinced.Besides, Im still your groupie. Thats got to count for something, right?His easy grin returned. You bet it does. I think Maddie might be joining your ranks. She wont get out of my apartment.I laughed. Doesnt she have to go back to her job?Wom anspeakis run out of Berkeley. She was already telecommuting, so shes just doing more of the same. She says she wants to keep an eye on me.Thats sweet.Dude. Doug gave me a droll look. Im laborious to be a rock star, and my sister lives with me. Thats not sweet. Working hard as always, I see, a smooth voice said.We both 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 manager stood in the doorway. She almost looked casual in loose black goldbrick and an empire-cut pink maternity blouse. Her stomach had grown even more in the last month, and seeing it made a little fuzzy spot resonate in my chest. Id been unable to conceive a child while mortal 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 loved pregnant women and babies. I was happy for Paige, happier to see her back and looking well.A grin played o n her glossed lips as she took in the two of us. Georgina, could you come to Warrens office? We want to talk to you. It wont take long.Sure, I said standing up. Doug quietly hummed the Jaws theme.Paige, Warren, and I sat down in his office with the door closed. I didnt really think I was in trouble, but being with them like this felt potpourri of intimidating. Especially since both seemed to be watching me lookantly.So, began Paige, weve been looking over all the accounts of what happened while we were gone. Weve talked to some people 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 heard he offered you a job.Yeah, but dont worry. Im not going anywhere.Thats good, Paige said crisply, because I pull in we now have some sort of annual event youve got to plan. Lorelei Biljan sent me e-mail asking to be invited back to next years Emerald Lit Gala.Fest, I corrected. Its a fest.What ever. The point is, what you did was remarkableif a little unorthodox. To pull that together so quickly and then turn over such amazing sales stats. She take to the woods 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, dead 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 lot of good days, Georgina, Warren spoke up. You havent had a full staff here in weeks. Youve come in on your days off. Youve run this place when no one else was around to do it. Youve handled crisis after crisis and not just the Fest thing. Im talking about the whole situation with Doug too.I sat up straighten What are you going to do? You arent going to fire him, are you? Becau se it wasnt all himI mean, there were extenuating circumstances. Hes better now. Hes the best employee youve got.Weve spoken to him, said Paige calmly. And hell stay on for now, although he understands hell sort of be on probation.Relief coursed through me. Good. Thats really good.Im glad you think so because youll be the one whos superintendence him.I what? My train of thought derailed horrifically, and I looked back and forth between their faces, waiting for the punch line.This pregnancy is proving more difficult than expected, as youve probably guessed. The babys healthy, and Im still on track for a normal delivery, but I need to eliminate certain risk factors. One of them, unfortunately, is working.I stared. Paige had hired me. She couldnt leave. What are you construction?Im saying that I cant keep working here.Butafter the babyyou could come back, right?I dont know, but Im not going to put the store on hold while I figure that out. Im resigning, and we want you to take my pl ace.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 someone to fill your old position. Youd take over all of my duties.I nodded. I knew what her duties were especially since Id done them for the last few weeks. They involved more paperwork than sociability, but certainly Paige had worked the floor plenty and interacted with others. The job still involved people, but in a different way. Id have no peers and no one above me save Warren. It could potentially put a damper on how much I hung out with the staff after work particularly 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 exemption 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 experiment 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 static lifestyle. I had enough experience and education to take on very prestigious 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 decision was made, but when I saw how anxious my silence had made them, I couldnt resist a little teasing. Would I get my own office?They nodded as one, still tense, thinking that was what held me back.Oh. Okay. Sold.I went home that night heady with the knowledge of my new job. I would miss Paige, but the more I thought about it, the more excited 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 night of drinking made me sleep in comfortably the next morning. I awoke to Aubrey sprawled across my neck, dangerously close to cutting off my air, in a position only a cat could find comfortable. My clock read noon, and I lay there, warm 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 barely avoiding getting Aubreys claws in my jugular.I stared at Seths name on the caller ID as if it had magical powers. Taking a deep breath, I answered. elated birthday, I said, trying to sound cheerful and not utterly petrified.There was a pause and then a small, surprised chuckle. I hadnt known what to expect when he and I finally resumed contact after last weeks drama, but his laughter 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 di d.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, think of? 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?