Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Can I ask about the stuffed toy?” Beth motioned to the dog on the shelf, amusement in her gaze.
“Oh, um…” My eyes briefly met Rowan’s. “When I interviewed for this job, I said that I was willing to do and learn most anything except for picking up waste from a bougie dog.”
She reared back. “Is that a requirement of employment?”
“No. Rowan doesn’t own a dog or even like dogs. Or most people,” I muttered. “So it’s only a joke.”
Beth looked between us as if trying to figure us out. “May I ask why you’re leaving this position?”
“I, uh…my career is headed in a different direction.”
“Shae is positively indifferent to fashion. So that obviously makes him a boring person,” Rowan deadpanned.
I shook my head. “Yes, like discussing the fall runway isn’t a total snooze fest.”
Beth just stared at us, the wheels in her head spinning.
“I was only here on a temporary basis,” I explained, hoping she took our banter in humor rather than malice. “And now my time is up.”
“Ah, I see.”
Rowan frowned and looked away.
After she asked more questions about the position, I led her to the elevators, told her we’d be in touch, and returned to the office.
“She’s perfect,” I told Rowan.
He shrugged. “At least she has better fashion sense than you.”
“She does. Let’s hope we didn’t scare her away.”
But I also didn’t think she’d put up with his bullshit. And however else it played out would be none of my business. I tried to shake the tightness in my chest.
“I have one more interview scheduled at the end of the week, and then you can decide,” I said, and he just somberly shook his head, then walked over to the shelf and picked up the dog, studying it as if lost in thought. “What’s on your mind, Rowan?”
“Huh?” he asked, breaking out of his trance. “Oh, just that interview with you.”
I chuckled. “You thought I was a hot mess, but you were desperate.”
He plopped the dog back on the shelf. “I wasn’t desperate.”
“Yes, you were.”
“Shae, I…” He trailed off, and I held my breath. “You do realize you get paid through the summer break, right?”
My jaw dropped. “I do?”
“Yes, of course. You worked the season, and that’s your earned time off.”
“That’s amazing. Thanks for the heads-up.” Holy shit, the relief I felt, like maybe I could take my time looking for something new or use that opportunity to visit my family.
He glanced down at his feet. “So maybe…you can regroup and come back fresh.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that will change anything.”
“It was worth a shot.” He frowned. “Well, now you can go off and spill coffee on someone else.”
In all my clumsiness, I had never spilled coffee on him, and he knew it. Maybe it was wishful thinking for my future boss. The asshat.
I barked out a laugh, and when his eyes met mine, his mouth tried not to pull up in a smile, but he couldn’t help himself. Soon enough, we were both chuckling, and it was infectious. If one of us stopped, the other would start.
As I went to leave, he stepped in my path and backed me against the wall, his mouth to my ear while I trembled under his grasp. “I can’t keep wanting you like this.”
I looked into his hazel eyes. “For fuck’s sake, why not?”
“You know why.” He looked away, and my stomach dropped. “It wouldn’t last anyway. You’re young. Before we knew it, you’d want—”
“You have no idea what I’d want.” I clenched my jaw. “But what does it matter? Your mind is already made up.”
“I’m sorry, Shae.” He tipped his chin to the ceiling and sighed. “Besides, we don’t even get along most days, let alone like each other.”
“Well, now I’m hurt.”
“You know what I mean.” He straightened. “So, stop tempting me.”
“Oh, I see. It’s all my fault?”
“Yes, you and your…” His hand swept down my body. “New sneakers.”
I was about to lob a retort when my cell buzzed with a text from Casey about our plans tonight. I sobered immediately.
“Everything all right?” Rowan asked, concern in his tone, and I’d admit I liked hearing it.
“Casey is trying to impress this guy he likes, so we’re going out to a club tonight.”
He scrunched his face. “I’m not sure how going to a club will impress anyone.”
I burst out laughing, momentarily feeling lighter again. “I suppose that means you don’t want to meet us?” I teased.
A pained look crossed his features before it cleared as if it hadn’t been there at all. “I think I’ve met my quota for the year. Or maybe the decade.”
That night I went out with Casey and his new guy, Paul, to a club that was within walking distance of our apartment. They were stinking cute together as they navigated their newfound attraction, and I felt like a third wheel, which was stupid because it wasn’t like Casey hadn’t dated other guys before. But this time felt different, mostly because of me. Because I was hurting and wanting that closeness with someone.