Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Heather looked at the younger woman meaningfully. "And that's how you aren't like other women, Ms. Cortez. You alone have done your very best to act accordingly—-"
"But that's exactly my problem." Poppy's face was already flaming at the thought of what she was about to confess. "I'm really trying my best to, um, act and even think accordingly, but I don't think...I don't think I can keep it up."
Heather had to fight back a smile at the way Poppy's voice kept getting smaller until it was barely audible by the end. This young woman was so adorably pure, she almost seemed too good to be true.
"Trying is the operative word here," Heather said gently. "You're the only one who tried. Everyone else didn't."
Poppy shook her head. "I just don't think..."
"May I ask you something personal, Ms. Cortez?"
Poppy nodded warily.
"You're earning a lot more than you usually do since you took Mr. Rossfield as a client, haven't you?"
Poppy nodded.
"And has this extra money been of great use?"
Poppy could only nod again since the "extra" money Heather spoke of had been life-changing. She had been able to pay off a huge chunk of her college loan, and she was likely to be debt-free before the year's end...if she kept the billionaire as her client. But at what cost?
"You're weighing your options," Heather observed, "and that's good enough for me. Your mind was clearly made up earlier, but now..."
"I want to keep Mr. Rossfield as a client," Poppy admitted, "and even my boss wouldn't hear of having me replaced. But..."
"But?"
"I don't think it's the right thing to do," Poppy said helplessly, "with how I feel about...things," she ended lamely.
Heather could only shake her head at just how pure Poppy was...but that was even more reason for her to prevent the younger woman from quitting.
"How about we make a deal?" Heather suggested at a whim. "You keep us a client, and I'll make sure you'll never cross the line with Mr. Rossfield. Shall we give it a try?"
Chapter Five
POPPY: He bought me coffee. I need you to convince me that it's no big deal.
Heather: It's REALLY not a big deal since he bought coffee for everyone.
POPPY: Do you think it's possible that they'd have broken up without you knowing it?
Heather: No.
POPPY: My mind already knows this isn't a big deal, but my heart seems to be allergic to logic. He noticed I had my hair cut. It's still NOT a big deal, right?
Heather: No. It's STILL not a big deal because he also noticed George's new necktie, but you don't hear him saying Mr. Rossfield is in love with him, do you? Oh, and one thing you should know about Mr. Rossfield: he's got a photographic memory, and he's obsessed at keeping it "sharp".
POPPY: He told me he was in a bad mood. He obviously didn't want me to think he hated me or something. He cares about what I think, but I know you're going to say nothing he does is a big deal.
Heather: But this is a big deal.
Poppy: I can't believe you just said that.
Heather: Because it's true. You do remember that the last person who tried to kill him was the one who used to cut his hair? So of course he'd care about what you think.
Poppy: I'm starting to get this feeling you're having so much fun bursting my bubble.
Heather: I'm just keeping my end of the bargain. *angel emoji*
Poppy: Typo spotted. Should've been *devil emoji* #ftfy
Heather: Well, if you're really going that far...did I mention that he was in a bad mood because of his girlfriend? Because guess what? SHE's the one he really cares about. #boom
POPPY CLOSED HER EYES after reading her entire chat history with the billionaire's secretary. It was her way of putting on some mental armor prior to heading out, along with a heartfelt prayer to keep her from doing anything she'd regret.
Dear God, I still don't know if it's okay that I keep working for him. I've done my best never to let him linger in my thoughts. But I don't know if that's enough. Is it alright if I keep working here until I've paid off my loan? Please give me a sign if I should quit. Amen.
Poppy dropped her phone back into her pocket and pasted a smile on her lips before going out through the salon's back exit.
"Morning, Ms. Cortez," the billionaire's chauffeur greeted her with a respectful tip of his hat. "Ready to go?"
"Hi, Monty. Where are we heading today?"
The older man's eyes twinkled at her. "Let's just say you're in for a surprise."
And Monty was certainly right, with Poppy torn between laughter and tears when she realized where he had driven her to.
"Seriously?"
Monty only grinned. "Told ya you'd be surprised."
The sailboats she had seen when going to the beach were around thirty feet in length, maybe fifty feet tops. The one in front of her was easily thrice as big, and all Poppy could do was wave weakly back at Heather when the other woman emerged from the side deck.