Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56107 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“So…people are saying you kidnapped yourself?” Just then my phone rings. It’s Skippy. I tell him what’s up and beg for him to take a look at the camera I have in my purse.
“Sure,” Skippy says, “but can you bring it over now? I’ve got a big job today. I leave in an hour.”
I look at Logan’s worried face. I really don’t want to miss work, because Dick will flip out if I’m late, but I’ve caused Logan’s life some major damage. I can’t turn my back on him.
“Send me your address. I’ll be right over.” We end the call, and Skippy texts me his address. It’s clear on the other side of Dallas. With traffic, I’ll barely make it there in time. No shower for me today. It’s a first, going to work without being freshly bathed. I’ll have to wear what I’ve got on, too. Jeans and a sweatshirt. They’ll probably think I was getting frisky with someone last night. Cool.
“I’m going to drop this camera off at Skippy’s before I head to work,” I say. “I’ll let you know if I find out anything.”
Logan nods but doesn’t make eye contact. I can see he hates me for what I’ve done. And now his crazy brother’s missing.
“Logan, I know you’re angry, but I promise I’ll do what I can to make things right with your business, okay?”
“I don’t care about all that right now. I’m just thinking about how I’m going to break the news to my mother. Carter being missing isn’t going to help her.”
I wince. “Then don’t tell her. Just let her be.”
“I’m not Carter, Mila. I don’t lie.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I was just thinking that—”
“Want to know what I think? That I don’t need any more of your handy thoughts.”
Ouch. “I’ll, uh, let you know what I hear.”
He nods but still doesn’t look at me. I turn to head toward my car.
“Mila,” he says once I’m almost to the driver’s-side door. “It’s really a shame you couldn’t trust me. I was beginning to like you.”
Ouch again. I look down at the ground and inhale slowly before meeting his gaze across the lawn. “I liked you, too. Still do.”
I get in my car, knowing this mess is all my fault. If I hadn’t been so quick to assume that Logan was just another of life’s little sticky turns, I might’ve behaved like a rational adult instead of the Turninator.
I’m about to pull away when I notice Logan staring from the corner of my eye. I’m hoping he’s looking at me without total contempt. I slowly turn my head to find him breathing fire in my general direction.
Just my luck, he turns out to be real, and now he loathes me.
“Why are you dressed like that? And where the hell have you been?” Dick barks the moment I enter the office two hours late.
“Actually, I’m not staying, Dick.” I zip past him, beelining for my desk.
“What do you mean?” he asks, trailing behind me. “I have five clients coming in to sign their lease contracts.”
I know, but I had a change of heart. I owe Logan more than just a few hours of my morning. That is, if I’m ever going to get him to forgive me.
I grab a few things from my cubicle, piling them into my canvas purse. Laptop charger, notebook, and some phone numbers I have jotted on a sticky note. This way I can work from home as needed while I’m dealing with this disaster.
“Mila…” Dick growls. “You can’t run off because you have other things to do. You have responsibilities here.”
“Which is exactly why I came in instead of leaving you to fend for yourself.” I grab a stack of folders from my locked filing cabinet. “Here are the contracts needing to be signed. There are little plastic arrows to indicate where.” I shove the files in Dick’s big belly.
He clutches them reluctantly. “You’re serious. You’re actually leaving.” He arches a furry brow.
“Yep. Family emergency.” It’s not my family, but I didn’t say that it was, so technically not a lie.
“You could’ve called,” Dick throws back with contempt.
“I did. I left you two messages, which I’m sure you ignored, Dick.” Once I got to Skippy’s, I’d already made up my mind; I needed to get my ass in gear and help Logan. Even if he hates me now, I owe him. I blew up his deal with Chef M. Jean. Now Carter is missing, and his mother’s care is in limbo.
“I have important things to deal with today, Mila. I’m sorry, but you’ll need to stay,” Dick says firmly, while others in the office keep peeking at us from their cubicles. Kind of looks like prairie dogs gathering.
“Or what?” I ask.
“Or-or—” Dick’s mouth flaps. “Or you’re fired.”
I tilt my head, staring into his chalky gray eyes. “Okay. You win. I’ll stay.”