Chapter 2: Going Public, Going Rogue

The next morning.

I stepped into the office elevator and there he was. Jackson stood next to me, eyes darting, voice low. “Come over tonight. Last time I was too tired, too drunk, didn’t really do you justice.”

“I’ll make it up to you.”

Guess my words got under his skin. Now he was desperate to prove he wasn’t “mediocre.”

I shot him a look. “Sorry, got plans.”

“Tomorrow, then?”

“Busy tomorrow too.”

The elevator doors opened and I strode out. Jackson followed me all the way to my office, hot on my heels.

He pulled down the blinds and looked at me, half-teasing. “You’re just jealous because I have a girlfriend, right? That’s why you said all that.”

I shot back, “Does your girlfriend also think you’re just average?”

“I haven’t even touched her!”

Right then, the office door slammed open. Megan Alvarez stood there, eyes red, and in the next second, tears started streaming down her face.

“You… how could you two do this? I knew something was off between you.”

The word “average” clearly hit a nerve with Jackson.

His face darkened. “What do you mean, average? Who said I was average?”

“Didn’t anyone teach you to knock before barging in?”

But Megan, for whatever reason, ignored him and walked right up to me, sobbing. “Ms. Quinn, since you like Jackson too, I’ll just give him to you.”

I arched a brow. “Don’t call me ‘Ms.’ We’re not close. It’s President Quinn.”

“And besides, I don’t want what you don’t even want.”

Megan ignored me, her face crumpling as she looked at Jackson and pointed at me. “Who do you choose, her or me?”

Jackson pulled her into his arms. “What’s there to choose? You’re my only girlfriend. President Quinn and I are just business partners.”

Megan pouted. “Then I want you to announce our relationship to everyone in the company.”

Jackson hesitated for a few seconds.

“Okay!”

Megan broke into a smile and hugged him tight.

That day, Jackson kissed Megan in front of the whole company, making their relationship official.

I couldn’t help glancing at them. Through the blinds, I saw him declare his feelings for Megan, and it stung. For a moment, I thought he looked back toward my office as he kissed her, his eyes lingering for a few seconds.

Then the comments started up again.

[The guy’s just doing this to make the heroine jealous.]

[Is she really trying to be the other woman?]

[Even if she knew him first, the side girl is the real girlfriend. The heroine is just sad!]

[I kind of feel bad for the side girl now.]

Excuse me, who saw me trying to steal him? I just found out about their relationship, too. Like, am I supposed to read minds?

Watching Jackson and Megan hugging, I felt a real pang—actual heartbreak. I couldn’t help but tear up a little.

Damn this stupid plot!

No. Not happening. I couldn’t let the story control me. I had to save myself.

Honestly, the main reason I liked Jackson? His face. And it’s not like there aren’t plenty of rich, hot guys out there.

Once I figured that out, I headed straight for the biggest club in Chicago. If I found someone even better-looking, would I still be into Jackson?

If one wasn’t enough, then two. If two didn’t work, then three… Bring on the eye candy.

I swirled my drink, looking at the line of male models in front of me, and waved dismissively. “Next group!”

Then the comments appeared again.

[What the heck, is the plot going off the rails? Am I reading a bootleg version?]

[Shouldn’t the heroine be crying alone right now, not lining up male models?]

[Is the doormat heroine about to turn into a party girl?]

…I couldn’t help but laugh a little. Let them talk.

Batch after batch of male models, but none of them caught my eye. Jackson’s face kept popping into my head, annoyingly persistent.

Finally, I picked the two best-looking guys from the last group. “You two, shirts off, come here.”

[Just the shirts? Take off the pants, too!]

[Hey, keep it classy, this isn’t Vegas.]

[Girl, you’re supposed to stay pure for the main guy, don’t forget your virtue.]

I ignored the comments and cozied up to both of them. Virtue? Please. I’m fresh out.