Chapter 7

Mercedes POV

“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God,” I whispered frantically under my breath as I dashed down the hallway leading to my room like my life depended on it–because right now, it kind of did.

I reached my room, flung my door open, and slammed it shut behind me, before sprinting to my bathroom, and taking a second to catch my breath.

Did that just happen?

I gripped the edge of the sink and bent over, breathing hard as my mind replayed everything.

No.

Nope.

Couldn't have.

Wasn't real.

There’s no way in hell I just kissed my boss.

On my first damn day!

You're screwed Mercedes, so screwed.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, and one of my hands instinctively went to my lips, and heat rose up to my cheeks, as I could still feel his lips on mine.

Soft. Warm. Inviting. It should be illegal to have lips that tantalizing.

And ..God help me–

The pressure of his chest against mine. The way his arms wrapped around my waist as he shielded…

Oh God. What I'm I doing?

I slapped my cheeks gently, trying to knock out the memory from my head.

“Snap out of it Mercedes,” I scolded myself. “Are you trying to get fired? He's your boss for God's sake. Not some random guy at the bar, or a guy at the subway. He's Bradley Freaking Ford!” I whispered-yelled. “Just one phone call and your sorry ass is back in jail.”

Mr. Ford doesn't do love, remember? And even if he does, one mistaken kiss doesn’t mean shit. You're just way over your head, because you haven't been this close to a man, or a man's lips in over six years.

Six. Freaking. Years.

Your hormones is a damn mess, that explains you being flushed from a kiss that wasn't even a kiss.

I turned the faucet on and spalshed water cold water on my face in an attempt to calm my nerves.

“Okay,” I whispered harshly to myself shutting the faucet and blinking water from my lashes. “It was an accident, Mercedes. Just a stupid accident.”

I exhaled sharply, as the cold water didn't seem to do the tricks.

I dragged my hands down my face repeatedly in frustration, and then my gaze landed on the Jacuzzi in the corner of my bathroom.

Hot water.

Yes.

That would do the trick.

I filled the tub and added a few lavender drops I found in the cabinet, before sinking into it and letting the warmth of the water erase the image of Mr. Ford's lips from my brain.

Trying.

Failing. Miserably.

After about an hour of soaking and trying to erase the image of Mr. Ford's lips from my brain, I got out of the Jacuzzi, and changed into my pyjamas before getting into bed.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, and shot a text to the one person who'd understand this level of emotional breakdown.

Me:

You're not going to believe what happened today 😭 😭 😭 

Nicole: 

Uh-oh. What? You didn't punch one of the kids, did you?

Me:

Worse. I kissed my boss.

Nicole:

I'm sorry….What?! 😳😱

Like..with tongue!

I groaned out loud in frustration, before replying.

Me:

It wasn't exactly a kiss-kiss, but our lips touched.

We accidentally crashed into each other.

I'm dying, Nic 😭. It's just my first day, and this happens. I think I'm going to get fired.

Nicole:

Relax Mercedes. If you're going to get fired you'd already be packing. So act professional whenever you see him and don't make it weird.

Me:

Too late. I am weird 😭😭.

Nicole:

Then own the weirdness.

It took everything for us to get you this far.

Me:

I know 😔

Nicole:

Was it good tho? Like..

👀

Me:

Stop 😭😭😭

Nicole:

😂😂😂😂😂

Me:

But they were really soft🫣☺️

Nicole:

Good night Mercedes 😅 

I chuckled into my pillow, feeling light hearted after talking with Nicole.

All I have to do is act like it never happened tomorrow.