“Girl, you were always averse to ‘vulgarity,’ as you like to call it. I’d hate to think that the prim, rule-abiding girl inside you doesn’t want to get her back broke with some great dick. Also, did it ever occur to you that John Donovan might be flirting with you?”

Victoria frowned. The idea had not occurred to her. “That’s not professional at all.”

“People get by all the time without being professional. How do you think I got here?”

Victoria sat back in her chair. Comparatively, the two friends had always stood on opposite sides of what one would deem “professional.” Paula and her cute afro, jeans, and sneakers attracted others with her charm and humor. Things seemed to come easily to the one member of The Write Bitches who always remained herself. Even through grad school. Regina and Victoria stayed in line, choosing fields that required giving up a piece of their personality. Reggi had gone for a career in banking, even though she was an editor for the university newspaper, while Victoria was aiming to make it in academia. Her four years at Pembroke had been devoted to making tenure and she was determined to fight tooth and nail for it. “I’m not here for that, Paula,” she said. “I plan to stay the course. I’ve got an outline and everything.”

Paula gave her a knowing smile. “She’s got an outline and everything... Baby, it might be time to let your hair down.”

“My hair is fine right where it is.”

“True,” Paula said, narrowing her eyes. “Did Reggi do those braids? Because they look hella cute.”

Victoria rolled her eyes. Her head was still aching. “Forty dollars and you have to bring the bundles.”

“Okay, that’s what’s up.”

She smiled. No matter how she disagreed with her friends, they could always switch it up and make light of most situations. “I’m going to wait for Donovan in my office. I’ll talk to you later?”

“Sure,” Paula said, returning to her screen. “Let me know if I need to bail you out of book jail.”

Don’t miss Overdue Love from Charish Reid, available February 2020 wherever Carina Press ebooks are sold.

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Copyright © 2019 by Charish Reid

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