Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
“He never comes to any of the meetings. I’ve maybe seen him around four times in the year I’ve worked here. He stays holed up in his office. I hear he’s a giant asshole, which I’m guessing is true because the times I did see him, he was pissed off, so...”
I shrug off her words. I’ve been here a week, so I should be in the clear if there’s any backlash about anything in the last-minute meeting.
“Even when he’s all pissed off, he’s still crazy hot. I hear he’s single.” The women continue chatting. “Maybe if he got laid he wouldn’t be such an asshole.”
“I think he is single, because he’s always on his own at big events. I check online for him sometimes, but all the red carpet shots are solo. Either that, or he has that secretary of his with him who guards his door like a pit bull. Maybe he’s sticking it to her.” They both laugh, and I roll my eyes at the cliché gossip.
“I think she’s married though.”
“Like that ever stops them.” They both laugh again.
I take a few more bites of my lunch before picking up my tray and dumping it. I head to my desk, but when I get back, I see neither Skyler nor Eric have returned.
I decide to jump right back into my reports, still a little sad about not hearing from Oz today. It’s like it’s put a damper on my day.
Twenty minutes later, Skyler comes strolling in with three bags in her hands.
“Everything cool with your friend?” she asks.
“Yeah. She was having a weird moment.” I eye her bags.
“Three shirts, two pairs of pants and a pair of shoes.”
“Damn, you made out.”
“Yeah, but the shoes are for my girl.”
“She still coming tonight?” I ask, wanting to meet her. Skyler brings her up all the time, and every time she talks about her, her face lights up. I wonder if I look like that when I talk to Paige about Oz.
“Yep. She’s meeting me in the lobby.”
“Nice. Paige is going to meet me up here so I can change first.”
“Your man coming tonight?” She smiles, but her tone seems a little wary.
“Nope, he’s out of town. But I did invite an old college professor who’s new to the city, too, but I’m not sure if he’s going to make it.”
“This professor a man?” She raises her eyebrows as she asks, making me think back to Paige’s reaction about it, too.
“Yes, why is that weird? Paige acted like it was weird, too.”
“Just curious,” she says, putting her bags next to her desk. Now I’m second-guessing myself. It’s not like I have a crush on Joel. In fact, he wrote me a crazy good letter of recommendation when I applied for internships. If anything I’m thankful.
“I got you a cookie.” I pick it up from my desk and hand it over the partition. “Thought you might be hungry after all that shopping. It’s an I’m-sorry-for-the-last-minute-ditch cookie, but maybe not after seeing your bags. I’m not sure I should give it to you.”
She snatches it out of my hand.
“I forgive you.” She unwraps it from the napkin and takes a giant bite out of it. “Let’s bust these reports out so we can get out of here.”
Chapter Sixteen
Mallory
* * *
Leaning over the sink, I put on a heavy shadow and an extra layer of mascara.
“Will you stop that?” I say, looking at Paige in the mirror. She’s pacing the bathroom and it’s making me nervous. “What’s wrong?”
She stops and looks over at me, shaking her head. “Nothing. Just ready to go.”
“I’ll be done in a second. Pump your brakes.” I wink at her in the mirror. She hates when I say that. “Is this about Captain America?”
“No. Maybe. Sort of.” She goes back to pacing, and I smile.
Pulling out the pins in my hair, I let my brown locks fall to my shoulders. They’re a bit wavy from being up all day, but I think it gives me a sexy look. That makes me think of Oz and of how I didn’t hear from him today. He’s probably super busy with work, and I’m sure I’ll hear from him tonight.
I watch as Paige comes over and stands beside me while I pack my makeup bag.
“Hey. I love you. You know that, right?”
Looking up, I see there’s a worry in her eyes.
“Yeah. I love you, too, Paige. Is everything okay? You were weird today in the lobby, and now you’re off.”
She smiles as she lets out a deep breath. “I’m good. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, and I want to make sure you know it. Life is short, right?”
I let out a little laugh, thinking I’ve been telling myself the same thing all week. “Yep. I completely agree.” I reach out and wrap her up in a hug. We’re like sisters, and sometimes you need a hug from your sister.