Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“What should I do to make it clear that I absolutely despise working under you, then?”
“I’m not sure.” He smirked. “But I’ll happily give you some suggestions on trying something else under me instead.”
“Sounds like I should hurry up and report you to human resources for sexual harassment.”
“Go ahead, so I can do the same,” he said. “All your skirts and dresses are four inches shorter than the dress code, and you only wear panties half the time, so… Want to make that trip to HR together?”
I felt my jaw unhinging and my cheeks heating all at once.
“That’s what I thought.” He smiled. “You can drive us to the next cafe on my list, Francis. Now.”
TWELVE
ANDREA
Day #40 of Company Takeover
“Andrea?” Everly’s voice sounded close, but I had to be dreaming.
The last thing I remembered was sitting in a late-night meeting at the office. I didn’t even remember getting home.
“Andrea…” Everly tried again.
“Maybe we should call 9-1-1,” Lisa said, closer now. “How long has she been lying stiff like this?”
“I’m not sure,” Everly said. “I just noticed it this morning. Let me see if I can make her move before we jump to conclusions…”
Something cold pressed against my back, snapping my eyes open.
“Oh my god! What is that?” I screamed, jumping up.
“See?” Everly held up a popsicle. “She’s alive.”
I groaned and flopped back onto the couch.
“Come on, get up.” She rubbed my back. “It’s Sunday, and you can’t afford to waste it sleeping.”
“I’m not ‘wasting’ anything,” I muttered. “I’m recovering.”
“You have one day off a week, and you committed to using it to study,” she said. “This is me holding you accountable.”
“I’ll study later.” I adjusted my pillow. “I promise.”
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
I shot upright at the sound of my phone and grabbed it off the coffee table.
Mr. Cross
You need to come into the office as soon as you can today. There are some meetings I need you to attend with me.
Let me know when you’re on your way so I can have an ETA.
I held back a sigh.
“What is it?” Everly asked.
I handed her my cell phone, and her eyes narrowed as she read his message.
“Screw him,” she said. “Don’t you dare go in today.”
“None of the other jobs have responded to me yet.” I winced as my sore muscles begged me to lie back down. “I don’t have a choice.”
“If the shoe was on the other foot, what would you tell me to do right now?”
I took my phone from her and responded to Mr. Cross.
I’ll be on my way to assist with meetings TOMORROW. The day I’m actually required to work.
I’m off on Sundays.
I changed clothes and brushed my teeth before grabbing my book bag.
“I’ll be at a cafe studying,” I said to them at the door. “Save me some of whatever you get for dinner.”
THIRTEEN
ANDREA
My favorite Sweet Seasons café sat just across the Brooklyn Bridge, its panoramic windows offering a dreamy view of the Manhattan skyline. Going there always felt a little like hovering at the edge of a ferry, taking in the world.
When I walked through the doors, its familiar cinnamon scent lured me to a dark leather chair in the corner.
Getting comfortable, I pulled out my book and picked up where I last left off in my textbook.
I was halfway through an equation when a shadow moved over me.
What the… I looked up to see a cute guy in all blue smiling at me.
“Hey.” I took out my earbuds. “Am I in your usual spot or something?”
“Not at all.” He placed a latte on my table. “I’m assuming you’re Andrea and that this belongs to you since your name keeps scrolling across the counter’s screen.”
“Oh, yeah. Thank you.”
“I’m also assuming—” He sat next to me. “That you’re mad at someone named Mr. Cross?”
I blushed. “Why is that?”
“Because you’ve shouted out ‘Fuck Mr. Cross’ or ‘To hell with that man’ at least six times.”
“Sorry…” I said. “I thought I was just saying it in my head.”
“Is he an ex-boyfriend or something?”
“Worse.” I shut my book. “My boss.”
“That’s good news for me.” He smiled, leaning closer. “I can see you’re busy, so I won’t take too much of your time, but there’s something subtle I need to tell you.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and you should go out with me.”
“That’s not subtle at all.”
“No, but it is the truth.” He smiled. “I’m James.”
“Andrea—well, obviously,” I said. “I could take a twenty-minute break for a chat outside, if you want.”
“I would like that.” He stood up and reached for my hand.
Taking it, I moved from the chair.
Before I could step forward, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
“Hold on…” I glanced at the screen and saw three missed calls from Mr. Cross.
No, not today. I slid it under my book and looked at James.
“Lead the way outside, please.”