Stella's POV:
After work, Ashley and I descended the stairs together.
As we exited the office building, a dark blue sports car screeched to a halt beside us.
Julian, driving this ostentatiously convertible, waved at us. "Ladies, hop in. I'm taking you somewhere special!"
Instinctively, I took a step back, hiding behind Ashley.
Ashley responded with a practiced smile, "Unfortunately, Mr. Laurent, what a shame. We just made dinner plans with Bailey's boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" Julian frowned, his scrutinizing gaze bypassing Ashley to land on me. He scoffed, "Is a boyfriend more important than work? Ms. Clarkson, did you forget that our department is attending a cocktail party at The Millennium tonight with our business partners?"
"Cocktail party?" Ashley was somewhat surprised.
I quick
