Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
“I’ll do that today,” she said hastily.
“Make sure you do. Also, the yard work needs doing.”
“But that’s not my job,” she protested.
He turned, looming over her. “Your job is whatever the fuck I say it is. Otherwise, I’m going to tell Cammie you’re out. Then where will you go? She said you’ve got some cousin in Manhattan, so why don’t you go live with him?”
She swallowed heavily. Because she was a failure and an embarrassment, and if she lived with him, she’d feel that way daily.
“What do I do?” she asked.
“The hedges need trimming. Flower beds have to be weeded. And the garbage cans need washed out.”
“Aren’t those your jobs?” she asked.
“I’ve hurt my back. Cammie is out all weekend on a girls’ trip. So you best get moving.”
Wait. She was? She hadn’t said anything to Faith. But then, she’d hardly seen her friend this week. Faith left early and got home late, and then she was so tired she usually just fell into bed.
With a sigh, she finished her coffee and went to find some gardening clothes.
So much for taking it easy.
Faith walked gingerly as she moved along the street, trying to avoid people bumping into her.
Ouch.
She hurt.
As she stepped into the building, someone yelled out her name.
Glancing over, she smiled as she saw Lou waving at her from the café situated on this floor. She entered the cafe, moving to the counter where the other woman stood.
“Faith, morning!”
“Hey, Lou.” She wasn’t sure what Lou was short for. She only had Lou written on her name badge.
“Are you all right?” Lou asked in concern.
“Yeah, just overdid it gardening this weekend.” If Eric had helped then she wouldn’t feel so awful today. But he’d sat on his ass all weekend, watching football or basketball. Maybe both.
And his back had seemed just fine when he was jumping up and down, yelling at the TV.
Asshole.
Lou frowned. “Would your boss not give you the day off?”
“Oh no. I didn’t ask. I’m fine.”
“You sure? I mean, I understand. He’s kind of terrifying.”
“He’s not as scary once you get to know him.”
Lies. All lies.
“Here you are,” Lou said, handing her a coffee and a paper bag.
“Oh, I didn’t order any food.” And it wouldn’t be right to put it on the company account.
Reuben had started an account so she could grab him coffee each morning. That way she didn’t have to worry about getting the company card.
“That’s for you. On the house. I’m experimenting with scone recipes. They’re not really taking off.” Lou’s grandma was originally from New Zealand and had taught her to make scones. They were similar to a biscuit. Except Lou kept adding flavors to them.
The last one she’d made had been cheese and chives, which had been delicious.
“Thanks, Lou.” She’d been running late this morning, so she hadn’t had a chance to eat. This would keep her till lunch.
Heading up the elevator, Faith walked out and over to her desk. She came to a stop as she saw the water bottle sitting on it.
It was pale blue with white daisies on it. Exactly the sort of bottle she might have bought for herself.
There was a note on the cap.
Use me.
She bit her lip. Had Reuben bought this for her?
Setting down her scone, she walked to his door and knocked.
“Come in.”
Walking in, she set the coffee on his desk. “Here is your coffee.”
No reply.
But just because he didn’t have manners didn’t mean she was raised that way.
“Thank you for the drink bottle.”
He glanced up at her. “Make sure you use it. I don’t need you passing out on me. Now, get to work.”
His words didn’t hold any heat.
As she turned away, she smiled.
No, he wasn’t a bad guy.
Where the hell was that file?
Irritation filled him as he searched for the file where it should be on the shared drive.
Not there.
Where had she put it?
“Faith!” he called.
Where was she? Why wasn’t she coming?
“Faith, get in here!”
“Yes, sir?” she asked, shuffling into the room.
Why was she wincing? Was she injured? “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said hastily.
Oh, she really had to learn not to lie to him. He leaned back in his chair, studying her. She looked pale, her freckles more obvious than normal. Was she using her drink bottle?
He didn’t know why he’d been unable to resist the urge to buy it for her. Could he make it a condition of employment that she had to drink and eat regularly?
Hmm. Probably not.
“You want to try that again?” he asked in a low voice.
“I just overdid things this weekend.”
Jealousy flooded him. She’d overdone things? What things?
Reuben had to take a deep breath to calm himself.
She isn’t for you.
“Who is he?” he demanded.
“This jerk my friend is married to,” she muttered.
“You’re sleeping with your friend’s husband?” That was completely unexpected.
Shock filled her face. “What? No! Ew. Why would I want to sleep with him?”