Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
I’m not just her boss. I’m supposed to be the mature one. I reply because a CEO wouldn’t delve deeply into that topic.
Logan: Fair enough. Have you thought about the data implications of your idea?
I thank Toby when he brings me my coffee. Through the restaurant’s glass window, around ‘The Clam’ stenciled onto the glass, I can see Elliot pacing back and forth, clouds of vape smoke following him.
CHAPTER 6
PIPER
Piper: I haven’t given it a thorough thought.
Itype this, looking across the office to make sure Milo won’t catch me.
Technically, I’m working, but I’m also sort of abusing my privileges and my connection to Logan by going straight to him with ideas.
Piper: I’d happily look into it and send you something via email, but I think we should link up with Milo, too.
Logan: We’ll do that. How would you feel about taking on a more varied role within the company?
Piper: I’ve only just started this one. I don’t want to get any special treatment.
Logan: But it wouldn’t be special treatment. It would be you bravely traveling west on Route 66, searching for a better life, leaving the past behind you and forgetting it exists. It would be you finding your sunny place.
His words touch me on a level I don’t want to acknowledge. He’s talking about the plot of Grapes of Wrath. When I learned that it was his favorite novel, I almost overreacted, almost freaked. It’s a symbol of our similar attitude to life.
But he shot me down with the nickname. I need to shoot him down with this.
Piper: Let’s just hope it doesn’t end with me being in a barn, breastfeeding a stranger.
Logan: LOL!
His instant reply makes me grin, and I realize I’m eagerly awaiting his next message as the three dots tell me he’s typing.
Logan: I’m at The Clam, and that just made half the restaurant turn at the sound of me laughing. I haven’t laughed like that in a long time. Don’t worry. Breastfeeding strangers isn’t part of the job description.
I wish I could’ve been there to hear him laugh in such a carefree way. For as long as I can remember, Logan has been a grump. He hasn’t been depressing, exactly, but he’s never been the ‘happy-go-lucky’ type, either. He’s always seemed haunted, probably by his childhood.
Piper: The book is beautiful. But also strange.
Logan: Maybe there’s nothing wrong with being beautiful and a little strange.
Are we still talking about books? My body tingles with anticipation, misplaced desires, and thoughts I shouldn’t be thinking.
Feeling as if I’m giving him a coded message, I type out another message.
Piper: It probably says something about us that our favorite book is about people seeking a better life, going through hardships to get there, only to be disappointed at the end.
Translation: if we’re flirting, bonding, or tempted, we need to stop. It can only end in disaster.
Logan: The book is an inspiration for life, not a step-by-step manual. And don’t forget, the characters don’t quit at the end of the novel. They keep going. They take the next step.
What is he trying to say? That we should take the next step in this hidden, unacknowledged romance?
Piper: For the record, I also like feel-good romantic comedy books. I’m not a complete downer.
Logan: Nobody could ever call you that, Piper. When you were a kid, Elliot used to call you Sunny Smiles, remember? You always had a smile on your face. In fact, so did he. Maybe you learned it from him.
Ouch. Reading this is like a slap in the face, even if it shouldn’t be.
Is he trying to warn me to get back in line and remember this is an employee-employer relationship? Or am I reading too much into his every little word?
It’s not exactly a bad thing for him to remind me of my brother, though, even if I shouldn’t need reminding. It makes me feel like a traitor whenever I let this shivering feeling course through me. Each time, my body throbs and tingles dance over me, making me press my legs together, pleasure tempting a future that can never exist.
I need to keep my focus on work.
Piper: Do you think I should talk to Milo about the idea?
Logan: Yes, do that. Then, we will have a meeting to discuss the details.
Piper: Honestly, I don’t know how to go about it. I don’t want to seem like I can’t do this job. It’s just that I don’t have much experience with office politics. Isn’t he going to be annoyed that I went behind his back with this idea?
Logan: Maybe tell him you mentioned it casually when we were with Elliot. You can say that I seemed interested, but you wanted to talk to him before you made anything official.
Piper: Isn’t that dishonest?
Logan:
When he sends me the laughing emoji, my cheeks heat up, and my hand curls into an involuntary fist. I don’t want him to laugh at me; I don’t want him to think of me as naïve or immature. Living a childhood like mine, a girl grows up fast.