Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
“I just don’t think Clarice liked me very much.” There was no thinking about it. Clarice had hated her right from the start. She didn’t know why, just that sometimes people simply didn’t get along. She was not going to analyze it.
“It was nothing.”
“She did it on purpose,” he said. “You’re not protecting her. She has already lost her job.”
She nibbled her lip. “I don’t know why. Clarice never liked me.” She shrugged.
Gabriel sighed. “I will not tolerate that level of behavior from anyone. You could have been seriously injured.”
She found it so incredibly sweet that he cared.
“Come, let us eat.”
He moved toward the sofa in the corner of his office, near the open windows that overlooked the city below. The view was breathtaking.
She didn’t get too close to the window as she didn’t like the idea of plunging to her death. That was a long drop. Not that she imagined he shirked on the quality of the glass. It had to be quite thick.
“Italian meatball subs are the very best, and I have two layers of cheese—provolone and parmesan. Delicious. I have this specially made for me. I know the chief, and he likes to change up his sub game, and I’m the one that gets to try it.”
“Sounds like a good friendship,” she said.
This was so strange. She was eating lunch with the boss. The very scary boss that could take her job in a second. Yet, he was talking about sub sandwiches, Italian restaurants, and friendships.
This was a strange day, and it was getting even stranger. She’d also been semi-naked in his office. She couldn’t forget that. Not to mention wearing clothes that were not hers. They fit like a dream, and she knew they had to be designer. The softness of the fabric screamed luxurious to her. There was nothing to hate about what she was wearing.
It was like she and Gabriel had been friends for a long time.
“Pretty good. Let me know what you think.”
He handed her a plate that had the most mouthwatering sub. The cheese was gooey and spilling out the sides. She saw the size of the meatballs. The whole thing looked appealing, which was a lot better than her salad which was probably sweating in her bag in her locker. She had no choice but to store her lunch in her locker, otherwise it was taken.
She didn’t like to order takeout. Her mother often said the best way to save money was through home cooking. Her mother was a good cook, and she missed her.
Taking a bite to distract herself from the tears that were going to fall, she tasted the flavors. They were amazing. There was no other word to describe them. Each one even more delectable. The balance of the onions and garlic, the tomato sauces, even the cheeses. All of it was a nice party on her tongue, one she was loving.
“This is so good,” she said.
Gabriel chuckled and she felt that pleasure at the sound rush through her body, which was insane. Yes, her boss was a handsome man. No, scrap that. Handsome didn’t even begin to cover it. He was sexy—sexy and hot, and a lot of other things as well. There were so many words she could use to describe him.
She was not going to embarrass herself by having a crush on her boss.
Nora finished her sandwich, and knew she would have to get back to work. She got to her feet. “Uh, thank you for the lunch, and for … the clothes. I promise to return them.”
Gabriel got to his feet.
She walked toward the door, and then stopped. “I’m sorry I landed on you.”
There were her cheeks heating again. Why did this have to be so hard?
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Nora,” he said.
She offered him a smile. It was strange, because as she got to the elevator, she suddenly realized she had never actually told him her name—or had she?
****
For the rest of the week, Gabriel couldn’t get her out of his mind. Trudy had already assured him there was no way Nora would work for his parents. There was no spy.
If anyone was a spy, it would be George in Accounting, who kept trying to befriend him, but he already knew the man was set up by his parents. He was happy for the people his parents sent in, to bring about their own demise. They tended to get too comfortable, or stole from him. This is why he didn’t get close to anyone.
Late Friday night, he sat, perusing the latest numbers of one of his advertising campaigns when Trudy stepped into his office.
“You’re going to get a humpback if you stay in that position all day and night,” Trudy said.
“Good night, Trudy,” he said.
She tutted. “You know, you work too hard. Your grandfather would not be pleased.”