Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
But it doesn’t feel like I can just snap my fingers and make it better. In fact, there’s this niggling feeling in my gut that I’m purposely pushing him away and I don’t know how to stop, or if I even want to stop at this point…
He’s already launched into talking about his day at work, and I nod along, having a hard time keeping up with all the key players. It changes so much week to week! Like I thought Helen was an attorney in your office, but she’s the opposing counsel? Oh, you do work with a Helen, but this is a different Helen. Okay, but can you just please pass me the pad thai before I dart across this table and yank it out of your hands because how long could it possibly take you to scoop a little mound of it onto your plate and keep it moving? Why do you keep stopping to emphasize your point? I will listen to whatever story you want me to hear while I’m eating.
“I feel like you aren’t listening,” he says with an exhausted sigh.
I blanch and look away from the to-go carton in his hand. “I’m sorry. I am.”
My stomach gnaws on itself, and he sets the pad thai down a mile away from my outstretched hand. Like did you not think I would maybe want some of that right after you? I’m the one who requested it. ARGH.
“You’re distracted, I get it,” he continues. “It’s hard to wind down after a long work day and I know you have it harder than most working with a difficult team like yours…”
I frown, not sure how I’ve given him that impression. Short of the first week I started, I’ve been extremely mindful about what I share with Jasper concerning my relationships at work. I know he’ll take every tiny situation and blow it out of proportion. No, things have not really improved with Kendra and the gang, but it sort of feels like it’s been put on ice for now. In the last week, there’s been a decline in snide remarks. No one’s inviting me to lunch, but I’m not holding out for that. I’ll just take a neutral work environment. That’s all I want.
“My team is fine,” I insist.
He snorts. “Barrett told me who you’re working for. Hudson sounds like a total prick.”
“You don’t even know him.”
My tone takes us both aback. Moira too, apparently, because she latches onto Jasper’s leg under the table.
There’s a feline shriek and then Jasper flies back off his chair. “Shit. Get off me!” Then, under his breath, “God I hate your cat.”
“She was just trying to protect me,” I fire back, fiercely protective of the wild beast I let live in my apartment rent-free.
I mean, I think that’s why she attacked him. You never know with Moira. She might have just seen Jasper as the weakest link standing between her and the shrimp in our takeout.
When he’s not looking, I reach for a shrimp and call for Moira so she’ll follow me into my bedroom. Usually, I don’t let her in here without me because she enjoys nothing more than cleaning her anus on top of my pillow, but right now I think it’s best if I separate the two of them.
She comes, but her begrudging attitude says, Why me? Kick Mr. Blondie out instead. He sucks.
She kind of has a point.
“Here, have a shrimp.”
I shut the door and sit back down at the table, trying for polite peace. “Sorry about that.”
“You really should have her trained,” he mumbles.
“Can you train cats?” I ask with levity in my tone as I reach for more food. “I thought they trained us…”
“Scarlett…”
This conversation isn’t going anywhere good, and he must sense it too because he shifts topics. “My parents want us to meet them downtown for dinner on Saturday.”
“Oh.”
I thought I did a good job of masking my initial annoyance, but it seems Jasper still catches it because he frowns across the table, making me feel like I need to tack on, “We just saw them. That’s all.”
“Three weeks ago,” he admonishes. “And you cut out early from dinner, remember? My mom brings it up every time we talk.”
I’m sure she does. I can only imagine how much shit they talk about me during their daily phone calls.
“But Saturday won’t work though. My company is hosting a Halloween party. Did you see the evite I forwarded to you?”
He wrinkles his nose. “I sort of thought we’d skip out on that.”
My jaw drops. “No way. Are you kidding? It sounds awesome.”
“A party full of corporate lawyers?” He winces like just the thought alone gives him heartburn.
“It’s my dad’s company, Jasper.”
It’s important for me to show my face at things like this, but more than that, I really want to go! I have the best costume. I rented it from a legitimate costume shop rather than buying something generic online. I’m going as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. Moira was supposed to be the Wicked Witch of the West (hello, perfect casting), but she peed on her black hat. I have the trademark sparkly red shoes and a little basket with a stuffed Toto poking his head out. A professional is coming over to do my hair and makeup in the afternoon so I’ll have those signature ribboned pigtails as well.