Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 98992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“Yeah. He um…,” Noah’s reluctance to continue informs me that he’s exchanging the original end of the sentence for another, “he’s working on some things. Needed some advice.”
Wow.
Am I standing in the present or have I mastered the art of time travel and gone back to the past?
“It’s just such strange timing to have recently seen him and then just a little while later to be here, in his ex-girlfriend’s office of all places.”
The need to have something soft and delicious soothe my senses violently collides with the one to simply lean over and purge the proof that I’ve already been going that route too often lately. To call the small grin I manage to grow anything other than awkward would be the wrong label. “Strange indeed.”
“I really liked you two together.”
His statement only increases the urge vomit.
“You are actually the last person I remember liking him with.”
And now the desire to eat.
“You were perfect for each other.”
Tears prick themselves all along my throat, threatening to come out in my voice and to trample up to my stare to leak through if I keep my mouth shut much longer.
He opens his mouth to continue, to add more sentiments I know I can’t stomach, yet through divine intervention his phone rings, ending the topic. Noah slides out his device, sneers at the name, and states to me, “My apologies, Miss Morrison. I have to take this. It’s in my client’s contract. She’s so needy that she added an availability clause before agreeing to do business with us.” There’s a single headshake that’s followed by him preparing to head for the door. “I’ll stop by Clemmy's desk as soon as I’m done to get our family on the schedule. See you – hopefully – next week.”
“Have a nice day, Mr. Collins.”
Once he’s out of my office with the door closed behind, I melt down into my leather chair, the back of my head hitting it hard, elbow knocking into the edge of my desk yet again. The tiny pain is barely felt or acknowledged due to the huge ache in my lungs from an inability to breath.
I need space from this place.
From the Collins name.
From Noah.
From his brother’s not seen but still somehow felt presence.
I have to get the fuck out of here.
I have to.
Right.
Now.
Abruptly, I grab my purse, my keys, and my jacket from their hooks near the door. After locking up my office, I turn to head for Clemmy who is sitting at the front office desk, quietly singing “Always” by Bon Jovi to herself like I need more of the outside world mocking my mood.
Before I even have a chance to say something, she gasps, “Ohmygood, you’re sick, aren’t you?!”
There’s no stopping my forehead from furrowing. “Why would you…ask me that?”
“You’re sweaty. You’re shaking. You sound like you’re having trouble breathing. Are you? Are you having shortness of breath? Do you think you have the flu? You know those are all signs of the flu. And you know sometimes, it just hits you like this. Totally out of nowhere.”
Except this didn’t hit out of nowhere.
It’s been a steady build up from years of denial and neglect and sticky buns.
“You want me to make you a doctor’s appointment?” Clemmy offers, proving once more why she is not just great for the students, but great for me.
“No, I think I’m just gonna leave the office early today. Go home and lie down for a bit.”
“You never leave the office early, boss.” Worry wiggles deeper into her expression. “You sure you don’t want me to make you a doctor’s appointment?”
“Let me try some rest and hydration first, okay? We’ll get one tomorrow if it doesn’t pass.”
I’m lying, but she doesn’t need to know that.
“Do you think you can keep this place running while I’m gone?”
“Of course! Staffing is fine. You have no more scheduled interviews for the day. Vendors already dropped off and all invoices were sent or paid this morning.” She offers me a proud grin. “I can run this ship for a few hours, no problem. You’ve trained me well.”
It’s impossible not to genuinely grin.
“Go home. Be sick. Get well soon.” All of a sudden, an exciting idea hits her. “Oh! Oh! Oh! I can send you something to lift your spirits! Maybe feel better balloons?”
“No, thank you.”
“Maybe a singing telegram. Would you like that?”
“No, I would not.” Backing up towards the front doors is done thanks to me needing the closest exit possible. “Just…just getting some rest will be enough, I’m sure; however, please, please do not hesitate to call me if you need anything, Clemmy.”
“Or the fire department.”
“For the love of god, please do not have to call the fire department,” I mutter to myself during the hasty dart to my car.
Leaving work earlier than normal to have a late lunch isn’t a crime.