The next day, I felt completely drained from my conversation with Gabby. I also still had lingering anger, which I knew I would likely have for a while.

I barely saw Kori, as she was in and out of meetings most of the day.

I wound up asking one woman on the team, Grace, questions.

Grace was very sweet and helpful, at one point she sat with me to help me answer an email.

After we finished up with the email, Grace smiled at me. She had to be around the same age as me, and she had curly auburn hair and green eyes behind the glasses she wore.

"I like having another woman here," she said, "Sometimes it can be annoying being the only woman in the department."

"What about Kori?" I asked her.

"I love having a female boss, but she is often in meetings and just overseeing us," Grace explained, "She's super busy. As far as day-to-day goes, I don't see her a lot. Honestly, I wish you and Cole could switch roles and you would be here in this department."

I chuckled, "Do you not like Cole?"

"Honestly...not really. He tries to be this alpha male, and it's annoying. The only person he doesn't act that way toward is Kori. You don't want to cross her."

"I hate alpha males," I rolled my eyes, "Who knows...maybe I'll wind up in this department."

"I'll mention it to Kori if you would be fine with that."

I nodded, "I'm fine with that."

Grace grinned at me and said, "Once a week, the team goes out for happy hour somewhere local, usually on Wednesdays. You're more than welcome to come with us tomorrow. It would be nice to have another woman there! It's rare that Kori joins us."

"Okay," I nodded, "Thanks for the invite. I'll join you all."

"Awesome!" Grace exclaimed, "I'll give you the details tomorrow."

At the end of the day, I stopped by Kori's office to tell her that I was leaving for the day. Her door was slightly open and she told me to "come in" after I knocked.

Kori looked stressed as she stared at her laptop, closed her eyes, and scrubbed her hand over her face.

"Sorry if now is a bad time," I said, "I just wanted to let you know I'm headed home."

Kori looked right at me, "Alright. I hope you have a good night."

"You too," I said to Kori, "See you tomorrow."

Kori simply nodded and looked back at her laptop, seemingly dismissing me.

As I walked out of her office, I felt myself yearning to talk to her more.

But I couldn't. She was obviously busy and didn't want to talk to me. I was just another employee.

That night, Rachel and Trey, my other roommate, were both off from work, and I relayed to them what happened with Gabby.

Trey looked at me, his light blue eyes wide, "She did what now?"

The three of us were standing in the kitchen together, eating pizza.

"You heard me," I said to Trey.

"Oh my god," Trey walked over and put his arm around me, "You deserve so much better than that, Ash. You know that, right?"

"I'd like to think so."

"No, don't give me that. You do!" Trey shook his head.

Trey Martin has been one of my best friends since I was 19. We met in nursing school, and we have been friends ever since. He is one of the main reasons I got through nursing school. Trey is an Oncology nurse, and he is amazing at his job. We met Rachel when we both started working at the hospital, the three of us all started on a med surg unit, and Trey and I became close with Rachel.

Sometimes when they talk about work, I don't want to hear it, even though I'd never tell them that.

Internally, it makes me feel like I failed.

It felt very weird not texting Gabby before going to bed, but I was able to drift off to sleep eventually, even though she was on my mind.

When I walked into work on Wednesday, Francine greeted me at the front desk.

"Ashley, good morning! I'm so glad we get you back tomorrow," Francine chirped.

I smiled back at her, "Looking forward to it."

I went straight to the IT section and when I got there, I was surprised to see Kori.

She was talking to Lewis, who is one of the senior IT administrators. Grace and another employee, Hassan, were also there.

Kori's eyes flashed to me as I walked over to the area, "Good morning, Ashley."

"Good morning," I said, giving her a small smile back.

"Kori, even Ashley is coming to our happy hour tonight!" Grace said, "You never come out with us, would one time be that bad?"

Kori sighed and looked at Grace.

Before Kori could say anything, Lewis said to her, "You should, just this once. Have just one drink with us, it's no big deal. We're all adults here, it's not weird."

Kori looked reluctant as she said, "Fine. I'll stay out for one drink with you all."

Her gaze then landed on me, and I instantly felt myself grow warm.

"Yay!" Grace clapped, "You see Kori, we're a fun bunch."

"Not doubting that," Kori said, unamused, "Get to work, guys."

"Yes ma'am," Hassan said in a playful tone.

Kori shot him a look, but walked away, passing by me as she left.

She paused for a moment in front of me and said softly, "Let me know if you need any help today."

I looked at her and nodded, "Will do, thanks."

The day seemed to go by quickly. I was worried that when I stopped being a nurse, which is a very physical job, I would find it difficult being at a desk. But overall, besides some pockets of boredom, it wasn't too bad.

The work day ended, and I walked out with Grace to our cars.

"The Spot is less than five minutes away, you won't miss it," she said to me, "See you in a few!"

I hadn't been to the bar everyone was going to for happy hour. Grace said they were known for their fun cocktails and great appetizers.

Grace was right, The Spot was very easy to get to, and I parked and started to walk in. As I was about to enter, I saw a very nice black Range Rover pull up, and I could see Kori through the window in the driver's seat.

I was waved over to the round table that all of my co-workers were sitting at and sat down.

"Has Kori pulled up in her fancy-ass Range Rover yet?" Hassan asked me, with a smile.

"I just saw her pull up," I said back as I settled in on the end of the round table, next to Grace.

A few moments later, Kori walked in. She didn't exactly look thrilled as she walked over to the table.

"Kori, I can't believe my eyes. You're actually here," Jeff, one of the other guys on the team, said jokingly.

Kori took a seat at the other end of the round table, facing me.

"Yeah, yeah," she said, "Have we ordered drinks yet?"

"We were waiting for everyone to arrive," Grace said.

As if on cue, a server came over and took our drink order, and we put a couple of appetizers in as well.

After the server left, Kori looked right at me from across the table and said, "Hi, Ashley."

"Hello," I said to Kori, "Glad you could come out with us."

"It's really not something I ever do. But...I was convinced today," Kori responded, "I'm glad the team invited you out as well and made you feel welcome this week."

Grace, who must have been listening, turned to Kori and I and said, "Kori, you should find a way to keep Ashley in our department. I think she would do great."

Kori looked between Grace and I. She then asked me, "Is that something that piques your interest?"

I nodded, looking right at Kori, "It would be."

"You should just get Cole moved to another department so Ashley could take his position," Grace suggested.

Kori shot her a look, "I doubt I can do that. But Ashley...I'll look into it."

Kori could possibly become my direct boss.

What if that actually happens?

I looked at Kori, "Thank you. If it can't happen that is fine, but I appreciate it."

Kori flashed me a very small smile and said, "Hopefully it works out."

Oh...so she wants me in her department?

Kori meant it when she said she was only sticking around for one drink, and as she said "goodbye" to all of us, she gave me a small nod.

I only had one drink as well, and some appetizers, and left when everyone else did. It was nice going out with my co-workers, as it had distracted me from how I was feeling about Gabby.

As I lay in bed that night, loneliness washed over me. Even if I hadn't been with Gabby that night, I was texting her while in my bed.

It's also going to be fucking forever now until I get laid again.

...did I like Gabby or just the idea of being with someone?

I fell asleep with that thought in the back of my mind.

When I got up, Trey was getting home from his shift. I went into the kitchen at the same time as him, and he looked me up and down.

"Look at you! So chic and professional," he said, "I love it. Don't bother making coffee, I got you an iced latte."

Trey handed me an iced latte, and he was holding one for himself.

"Trey, thank you so much!" I smiled at him, "This is much needed."

"Anything for you," he said, "Have a great day at work. I'm about to pass the fuck out."

That was me just a few months ago. Getting home from my night shift in the ER and sleeping for a few hours when I got home, just to do it all over again.

I don't miss it.

I got to work, and Mackenna and Francine were sitting behind the desk.

"Good morning, Ashley!" Mackenna greeted me as I walked over.

"Hi ladies," I said as I put my bag down behind the desks, "Good morning."

"You might want to pick up your bag," Francine said, "Kori wants to speak with you, she just came up to me about 10 minutes ago."

I felt my heartbeat quicken as I said, "Oh, okay. I'll head to her office."

Mackenna pouted, "I hope you're not leaving us here at the front desk!"

"I honestly don't think that's going to happen," I tried to reassure Mackenna, "I'll be back soon."

I picked my back bag up and took the elevator up to Kori's office. The door was slightly open, and I knocked.

"It's Ashley," I said.

"Come in."

I walked into Kori's office and she said, sitting at her desk, "Good morning, close the door behind you, please."

I did as Kori said, and she motioned for me to sit down in the chair across from her desk.

I felt my heart thump and took a seat across from Kori. She looked at me with her pretty green eyes.

My god, she is really so attractive.

"So...something unexpected happened," she began, "Cole resigned from his position. He called about an hour ago."

My eyes widened, "Oh, wow. He didn't even give a notice?"

Kori nodded, "No. So, his position is open. Of course there's no pressure, but if you want his position, it's yours."

Kori looked at me, waiting for me to say something.

"I'll take the position," I found myself saying.

Kori's eyes widened, "Wow, that was easy enough."

I paused for a second before saying, "So...you'll be my boss?"

Kori's eyes settled on me, and I felt myself grow warm under gaze. Neither of us broke eye contact as she said, "Yes, I will be who you report to, Ashley."

I swallowed nervously before saying softly, still very aware of Kori's gaze on me, "Okay. Sounds great to me."

Kori broke eye contact and said, "I'll go down with you to the front desk to tell Francine if you'd like."

"Of course," I nodded, "Thank you."

Kori and I went to the elevator, and I was suddenly aware of the close proximity I was in with this extremely attractive woman.

Who is now your boss. Stop it.

"You'll be a good fit in the department," Kori said, "They like to joke around. Oh, and I know that I told you last week to put your phone away, but I don't really mind if you take it out during the day if you're upstairs with the IT department. Just at the front desk it can't be out."

I smiled at Kori, "Thanks for telling me. Why does it feel like forever since you scolded me for having my phone out? It was literally a week ago."

Kori chuckled lightly and said, "I did not think that you would end up on my team. But I'm glad you did, Ashley."

The elevator landed, and Kori and I went to the front desk.

Right as we walked up, Francine's eyes widened and she said, "You're stealing Ashley, aren't you?"

"I do apologize," Kori said formally, "My IT assistant resigned this morning, and I thought Ashley would be a great fit."

"Oh, don't apologize," Francine laughed, "Ashley, you'll do great there."

"Thank you," I smiled at her, "I'll be sure to visit you and Mackenna."

"You better!" Mackenna smiled at me.

As Kori and I got on the elevator to go up, I said, "At least they weren't upset."

She turned her head to look at me, "I was glad about that. They seem to like you a lot already."

"I like them a lot as well. But I definitely think I'll enjoy being in your department," I looked back at Kori.

I may enjoy it a little too much with Kori being my boss.