Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 82767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
“I don’t know…” I said, I tried to sound unsure but I could tell by his face that he understood me quite clearly, I was saying yes.
“Of course, you have probably just blown any chance of my brother asking you out…” he teased, and the darkness somehow left his face, replaced by something playful.
“Why do you think I did it? You didn’t think I was doing it for you, did you?” I replied, well aware that I was taking a risk speaking to him like this, but my recklessness was returning.
“I will have HR sort out a contract,” he smiled. I nodded.
“Do you think he will be very angry?” I asked seriously.
Keegan seemed to consider this for a moment, and then sat down at his desk again and shuffled some papers before answering with my own words. “Why do you think I did it? You didn’t think I was doing it for you, did you, Effie?”
Chapter 9
KEEGAN
“I DON’T KNOW how you don’t just make him choose a window and throw him through it,” Mick grimaced. I had been filling him in via Zoom just how charming my brother had been lately.
“He’s not worth it,” I said, suddenly tired of the conversation. “Man, I can’t wait until I’m out of this place.”
“You’ve got a while to go yet. Just do your time,” he replied, looking away from the screen, perhaps distracted by someone else in his office.
“How are things there?” I asked, but I knew that Mick being Mick, he would have everything under control.
“Grand, grand,” he nodded dismissively. “Just prepping for the European launch, and that’s what I actually wanted to talk to you about. I’m insisting you come over for it.”
“Ah, Mick, you know I’d love to, but I’m swamped here. There’s no way Sean would…”
“Fuck Sean! Why are you letting that asshole be the boss of you?” He was getting annoyed now, and I couldn’t blame him. There was a time when Sean would barely have had the balls to even speak to me. A time when I was top dog, and he was in my shadow, competing for our parents’ affection. I hated how he spoke to me now, but I wasn’t proud of how he must have felt back then.
“All right,” I agreed. “I will see what I can do.”
“Listen, mate,” his voice became quiet. “I’ve been out to see Sarah, and she was asking after you. It’s been a while. Now, I don’t mind going, I’m a hell of a lot closer than you are, but…”
“I know,” I cut him off. I didn’t need to be reminded that I had been neglecting someone important to me.
I made up my mind that I was going to have to go back home. I would visit Sarah, smile, and act the part at the opening of the new Ireland office – that might even get me some points for good behavior from my folks – and then be back before Sean could replace me, or undermine my department. I felt a thrill of excitement running through me. Maybe this was exactly what I needed.
“Can you hear me?” Mick was staring at me through the screen.
“Eh, yeah, the connection froze for a second,” I lied.
“So that’s sorted, now tell me about Lucy.” Mick resumed his usual smiling demeanor and laughed as I rolled my eyes.
“I don’t know where you find women, or where they find their friends, but I have never known anyone like her,” I answered truthfully.
“Honestly?” Mick looked surprised, and impressed. “Well, that’s high praise indeed, coming from you!”
“I don’t know if it’s praise or not…” I shook my head.
The truth was, Lucy confused me. Nothing seemed to bother her. She was, well, whatever I wanted her to be. If I was late, if I canceled a date, if I fell asleep during a conversation, it was all fine. I’d even started to test out my theory. I let her see me checking out another girl in a restaurant. Nothing. I flirted with the waitress. Nothing. She was a Stepford girlfriend. I should have felt like the luckiest man on earth. I tried to explain this without making it seem like I was simply boasting about how good I had it, but before I could find the right words, there was a knock at the office door. I called for whoever it was to come in, and Effie entered, eyes down and arms full of paperwork.
“Effie – meet Mick – you will probably be dealing with him on the phone or via Zoom, so it’s best you get acquainted,” I motioned to her to come to the screen.
“Mick, this is my new assistant, Effie,” I told him, sliding my chair back so she could access the screen. She bent slightly to see it, and her butt hovered just above my crotch. I made a point of not looking, but I was surprised I hadn’t noticed how absolutely perfect it was. That said, her style of dressing was a little demure for my tastes. Her scent flooded my senses for a moment, and I felt myself getting hard. It was barely there, but the hints of jasmine and amber made me close my eyes. I suddenly realized that I was thinking more like my brother than usual, and I snapped into the present.