 by C.M. Steele.jpg)
Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 25003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
This time, this little bean and I will make a life for ourselves and forget all our troubles. Despite losing my job to the jerk who knocked me up, I managed to turn my passion into a career by going independent. My grandfather’s house was finally sold, giving me the padded cushion that I needed to secure a great living for this little one.
Ms. Hoffman…you’re not having one little boy…you’re having two.
The best night of my life ended with the sun coming up and the sheets cold. She ran away, and I knew I should have bolted the doors before we even hit the mattress somehow. I wish we’d have exchanged numbers or something. Now, there was no way to find this woman in a city of millions where I wasn’t even familiar with anyone or had any connections. Still, there was no way I’d give up because she was mine.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Life has been one cruel letdown after another, but I refuse to let it break my spirit.
This time, this little bean and I will make a life for ourselves and forget all our troubles. Despite losing my job to the jerk who knocked me up, I managed to turn my passion into a career by going independent. My grandfather’s house was finally sold, giving me the padded cushion I needed to secure a great living for this little one.
Ms. Hoffman…you’re not having one little boy…you’re having two.
The best night of my life ended with the sun coming up and the sheets cold. She ran away, and I knew I should have bolted the doors before we even hit the mattress somehow. I wish we’d have exchanged numbers or something. Now, there was no way to find this woman in a city of millions where I wasn’t even familiar with anyone or had any connections. Still, there was no way I’d give up because she was mine.
Chapter One
Celeste
This can’t be happening right now. I pull the phone from my ear to check the number and then bring it back to my ear. “Ms. Hoffman. Are you there?” the voice on the line asks.
I clear my throat while I look around the office to see if anyone else is nearby. “Yes. Sorry, did you say my grandfather passed away?”
“Yes, Mr. Manchester died and left you his home in his will.” In his will? Why are they bringing this up right now? Shouldn’t I be in the middle of making arrangements and leaving that crap for later?
“When did he die?” I ask, suspicion clouding my mind and icing over my heart.
He pauses much longer than he should for a simple answer. “A week ago.”
“And you’re just contacting me now?” I screamed into the phone, letting my temper get the better of me, which I shouldn’t have because I’d let my grandfather win well before I knew he was my grandfather.
“He asked that you not be contacted until the will was read.” My first thought is to tell him to shove the property up his ass. It’s what I should have said because there’s nothing I want from the man who spent his life avoiding me, dodging all care and responsibility for me since my father died.
“Send over the documentation to my office or apartment. I don’t have time to take off from work at the moment.”
“Would you be able to meet this weekend?”
“Sure. Please email me the information, and I’ll get back to you on the time.”
“Yes, Ms. Hoffman. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“It wasn’t my loss. It was his.” I ended the call and fought back the tears. Right now isn’t the time for this because we have a staff meeting this morning, and it’s not looking good. There has been talk of a merger after several quarters with consecutive losses.
I set my cell phone down and set the ringer to silent before gathering my things for the meeting. My coworker, Jason, approaches with a sheepish frown. “It’s not going to be a good one today. The big bosses aren’t going to be in there, but we’re getting bad news.”
“Yeah, I have a feeling. It’s getting to that time of year. Layoff central. Any plans just in case our department gets the boot?”
“Yes, but at least you’ll still have a job. You’re one of the most valuable employees in our department.” He’s been with the company a year longer than me, but we’re in the same position for digital advertising and marketing.
“Hardly. A monkey could do my job, and soon they’ll see that,” I say, thinking he does it, and they actually think his work is quality. Frankly, I find it lacking, but that’s my personal taste.
“I wouldn’t go spreading the word,” he says, pressing his finger to his lips. Something about his smug expression makes me uneasy. Does he know something I don’t know?
“Well, let’s get this show on the road.”
“I’m right behind you.” I stand, and immediately I know why Jason’s behind me, so I peek at the glass door’s reflection to see him ogling my ass.
I pause with my elbow pointed back, sending him right into it. He grunts and says, “Shit.”
“Sorry, forgot something at my desk. Go on ahead of me.” Fucking prick. I’m so glad I never gave into the pressure to sleep with him over the years. We have worked alongside one another for three years, and he married the girl in the copy room last year, and yet he’s still a pig.
“I’ll wait.”
“No, go on. You don’t want to miss getting a good seat.”
“I’ll save you one.” I nod, but I go back and pretend to dig for something in my drawer. Stalling until I had two minutes left before it started, I hustled to the meeting room, where the thirty other employees were huddled around the large conference room table. My seat has been taken by his wife, so I stand in the corner and hide as we wait for the HR director and President of Operations to speak.