Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Forcing her eyes away from the scrumptious-looking dessert, she occupied herself by sipping on her water. Desserts were her weakness, but they’d been scraped from her budget out of necessity.
Livvy placed her fork down on her empty dessert plate. “Everyone finished?”
Nodding, Sage reached for her purse, preparing to pull her emergency cash out of her wallet as Susan motioned for the waitress.
“We’re ready for the bill.”
The waitress removed a black ticket holder from her apron, shuffling through several tickets before handing one to Susan’s waiting hand. She then handed it to Livvy. Expectantly, Sage waited for Livvy to give her total for her part of the bill.
Laying the ticket on the table, Livvy looked around the table before her gaze landed on her. “I seem to have forgotten my purse in the rush to get you to come with us.” Giving her an exasperated look, Livvy switched her gaze to Susan and Nancy.
“Don’t look at me.” Susan shook her head helplessly. “I don’t have any cash on me, and my cards are maxed out to the limit. I told you I’d have to pay you back when we get paid.”
Nancy seemed just as lost. “I didn’t bring my purse, either. You told me lunch was your treat because it’s my birthday.”
Livvy’s gaze returned to her. “It was supposed to be … until Sage made me forget my purse.”
Wanting to hide under the table, Sage didn’t know how to react with the three women giving her accusing looks for spoiling their lunch.
Shakily, she raised the fifty-dollar bill in her hand. “I can pay my part and run back to the office and get your purse and bring it back.”
None of them seemed appeased at that alternative.
“Or”—Livvy’s tone turned commanding—“you can pay the whole bill, and I’ll pay you the money when we get back to work. None of us want to be late. It will be much easier if you pay, don’t you agree?”
No, she didn’t, she thought to herself, reminding herself that her job at Hollingsworth counted on Livvy giving her a positive evaluation. She could go back to work for the temporary agency, but she really liked the work at the law firm, and it was close to her apartment.
Reaching for her purse, she heard the scraping of chairs as the women rose.
“Thanks, Sage.” Livvy stared down at her with a triumphant expression. “We’ll go ahead back to the office while you take care of the ticket. There’s no need for all of us to be late.”
Dismayed, she watched Livvy, Susan, and Nancy leave, their laughter floating back to her. Gritting her teeth, she took out her card to place it in the black folder. She would have to use part of her rent money to pay the bill they had stuck her with. If Livvy didn’t pay her back, there was no way she would be able to make rent.
In the pit of her stomach, she knew Livvy had no intention of paying her back. Sticking her with the bill had been her plan all along. Livvy had accomplished a twofer—she enjoyed a free lunch and would be able to write her up for being late.
She couldn’t even pretend to be surprised at the outcome to ease the hurt she felt. Nothing in life surprised her anymore. She would have better luck of getting hit by a bus rather than Livvy letting her get past the probation period.
Hopelessness filled her. In the last two years, she had learned to struggle to overcome every problem that had come her way with sheer determination. Thanks to Livvy, she might finally have to admit there wasn’t going to be a fix this time.
TWO
Kent stared down at the woman who remained seated at the table behind the decorative screen. Watching as the waitress approached the table to take the ticket folder and leave, even through the screen he could make out the panicked expression on her face.
When he returned his gaze to the man who sat opposite from him, he saw Desmond’s expression had grown even colder as they had listened and watched the cutthroat way the other women had treated the woman paying for their expensive lunch.
Both men remained silent until the waitress returned to have the ticket signed, then watched as the woman hurried away, no doubt rushing back to her job.
“That was like watching a school of sharks devour a guppy,” Desmond casually stated, swirling the ice in his whiskey glass.
“It was.” Curtly, Kent picked up his steak knife to cut off a slice of meat.
“Livvy is becoming rather possessive over you,” Desmond commented, giving another swirl of his ice.
“I haven’t given her any reason to be.” Dismissing Desmond’s speculation, he buttered his potato.
Desmond arched an ironic brow. “I’d say those quickie blow jobs she gives you when you’re in the office mean more to her than you.”