Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
The writing is right there in front of my face, and like a fool, it took me much too long to catch on.
Not only is the trying to get pregnant part over, but it seems the entire friendship is too.
Deep down, I think I knew this would happen. I knew that she deserved more than I could ever offer her.
I recall the look on Ronnie’s face when I showed up that last time. We aren’t exactly great friends, but he’s always been courteous to me. Maybe he got wind of what Adalynn and I were doing and voiced his opinion to her about it. Maybe everyone in her family got involved. Maybe I’m good enough to share a meal with but not good enough to have a more permanent place in her life.
“That look on your face makes me not even want to ask for a favor.”
I snap my eyes from my computer screen toward my open, office door.
Eastyn is in the doorway, frowning at me.
“I talked to him about it. If Chandler has continued to flirt with—”
She waves her hand dismissively. “He’s been fine. A little skittish around me, but I don’t think that’s such a bad thing.”
Chandler didn’t miss a beat flirting with Eastyn when she first started here a few weeks ago. She didn’t say anything to me, but I could tell the attention wasn’t wanted, so I spoke with my officer about it. Chandler wasn’t happy about being chastised, but he was even more upset with himself because he bothered her when she wasn’t receptive.
We now have a no fraternization rule in place here at the office which protects all of us.
“What were you going to ask?”
I watch as she chews the inside of her cheek before speaking.
“I was going to see if I could use Friday as a personal day. It’s just that I have a thing out of town, and I don’t even want to go, but I—”
“That’s fine,” I tell her.
“I’ll have all of my work done, but that means—”
“It’s fine.”
“Really?”
“Did you honestly expect me to tell you no?”
“Well,” she says, her brows drawing together. “Yeah.”
“Why would I tell you no?”
“Because I just started working here.”
“And you’ve managed to get more done in a couple weeks than Chandler and I have managed in years,” I remind her. “Have a good weekend.”
“It’s an obligation to my parents, so it won’t be fun, but I’ll never hear the end of it if I don’t go. Do you have any questions?”
I tilt my head in confusion. “Questions?”
“About my plans?”
“Didn’t you request a personal day?” She nods. “Then it’s none of my business.”
“My old boss would be grilling me right now.”
“Your old boss sounds like a jerk.”
“She was,” she says. “Thanks again.”
“No problem. Can you pull that door closed behind you?”
She nods before turning around and doing as I’ve asked. The last thing I want is for anyone to watch me sitting here, incapable of getting anything done because I’m so lost in my head that I can’t really function.
I don’t know if it’s intrusive thoughts or just self-destructive habits trying to convince me that going to Adalynn and yelling at her is the best way to handle this situation. I’ve avoided arguments with the woman for years because I was afraid of losing her. I also respected her too much to really express myself and how being just outside her orbit all this time has really made me feel.
It could go two different ways. It could possibly open her eyes to how I really feel and she could tell me that’s how she’s felt and she’s been a little gun-shy herself. Or, it could all blow up in my face and how she really feels about me is more akin to sympathy and pity than love.
I’m considering knowing the full truth is better than speculating when my office door swings open again.
“Eastyn, I—”
My words freeze on my lips when I see Bobby John Prichard standing there with hatred in his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Eastyn says, standing behind the man, looking distressed. “He just barged in.”
“Barged?” the man snaps. “My taxes pay—”
“It’s fine,” I tell Eastyn. “How can I help you today, Mr. Prichard?”
Eastyn watches me for a second longer before backing out of my office. She keeps her eyes on me even after she sits behind her desk at the reception area. Her vantage point allows her to see the street and my office at the same time, depending on which direction she’s looking.
I do my best to give her a reassuring smile before turning my full attention to the angry man.
“Was this your doing?”
I glance down at the paper when Mr. Prichard slaps it on my desk so hard my computer monitor waivers. Although that says more about the low-quality furniture we have than his strength.
“Can they do this?”