Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
“Obviously. Seth told me how busy you all are.”
I nod. “Yeah, we thought it would be low-key since it’s the Friday of Halloween weekend, but no luck.”
Bethany studies me closely, and I lean to the side a little, trying to get a look over her shoulder. My stomach sinks when I see that June’s no longer standing in front of the Keurig. In fact, I don’t see her in the break room at all.
Bethany looks behind herself, my distraction obvious, and her mouth turns down in a frown. “I guess I’ll let you get back to it, then. Seth and I were supposed to go to lunch, but he ordered food to his office instead because of everything that’s going on.”
“Probably smart,” I agree, looking down the hall to see if I can spot June making her normal rounds. Around this time in the afternoon, she checks in with all the execs first, then the team leaders, and then finally each member of the projects team to make sure they don’t have any pickups or sendouts she needs to do or if there’s any way to make their lives a little easier.
I don’t envy her position in the company right now—it’s the most overworked and underpaid of them all. And with Avery as her coworking-counterpart, it’s even more burdensome. I don’t know what happened with my sister, but her work ethic is lower than one of those underwater caves that leads to the center of the earth.
“Are you okay? You’re acting really weird today,” Bethany remarks, snapping my attention back to her. I’d almost forgotten she was still here. As for why she is, I’m not sure.
“I’m fine. Just busy. I’m pretty sure Seth’s in his office,” I say in dismissal. Her eyes narrow just slightly, and if I hadn’t dated her for as long as I did, I might not have even noticed. But I did, and I do. Despite being engaged to Seth McKenzie, she’s annoyed that she’s not the center of my attention. Because that’s Bethany’s MO. She wants to be at the center of everyone and everything, no matter the consequences.
Unfortunately for me, it took far too long to see that superficial side of her. A harsh breakup because she was sleeping with my best friend, to be exact.
But now? She’s not my fucking problem. Thank God.
I smile and step around her, giving nothing more than a little wave as I head down the hall toward my office, where Eddie waits. I have plenty of work to keep me busy—too much to torture myself with useless small talk with the Bethanys of the world.
June, though… I would welcome one-on-one time with her with open arms.
My phone goes off with a text, and even though it’s a challenge, I manage to take it out and read the message rather than shooting it like a basketball for a three-point shot into the water cooler trash can.
Henry: Are we doing theme costumes for tomorrow?
Mav: Theme costumes?
Henry: Yeah. Like where we go as something matching.
Ronnie: Fuck no.
Mav: You’re thinking of couple’s costumes, Hen, and last I checked, you still refuse to suck my dick. So, no, I will not be matching you tomorrow.
More annoyed than amused by my friends’ nonsense for the first time in a long time, I tuck the phone back into my pocket and keep walking without responding.
And I’m almost stepping into my office when I catch sight of June inside Chris’s office. On impulse, I backtrack, heading straight in her direction, and just as she’s stepping out of his door, I’m right there, ready to pounce on the first opportunity I’ve had to talk to her all day.
I don’t offer a greeting, I don’t ask questions, and I don’t say a single fucking thing. I herd her directly into the supply closet across the hall and close the door behind us without so much as pausing. Eddie’s eyes widen slightly before the door shuts, but he doesn’t call any further attention to the weird behavior before averting his gaze to the floor.
I don’t care, though. I’ll make up something to explain it away to him later.
As for June, her eyes are startled and wide, and her mouth is worried. She backs up against the closed door, searching the small closet for another way out. “What are you doing, Beau? Have you lost your mind?”
“Just finishing what you started,” I assert. “What the hell is going on, June?” It’s a sharp lash, one I don’t entirely intend, and she shrinks back into herself. I try to calm my voice, but the adrenaline of finally getting a chance to question her on everything that’s happened between us maintains an edge. “Why did you start that message with me on Midnight?”
She shakes her head. “I really don’t think now is the time to talk about this.”