I Could Never Read Online Penelope Ward

Categories Genre: Angst, Contemporary, Forbidden Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
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“Thank you.”

She examined my face in the mirror. “How are you doing?”

My chest felt heavy. “Most days I just live in denial and try to occupy myself with work or responsibilities. Of course, there’s no such thing as traditional work while I’m here. I’m taking a sabbatical from that.”

“What is it that you do?”

“I’m a makeup artist.”

Her face lit up. “Seriously?”

“Yes. I work freelance out in L.A. Mostly television and movie projects.”

“This is going to sound totally random, but any chance I could convince you to do wedding makeup on Saturdays while you’re out here? I know that’s not as exciting as television, but I could really use the help. It’s so hard to find someone reliable who knows what they’re doing.”

“Not sure. Depends on if it’s worth my time.”

“It would be five-hundred dollars for just a few hours of work in the morning. Most of the weddings are in the afternoon, so you’d for sure be done by one or two.”

It’d be nice to have a little extra spending cash. “Let me talk to Josh and see if he’d be willing to look after Scottie on Saturday mornings. I can get back to you.”

She smiled. “Cool.”

After the appointment, I had an hour to spare before I’d told Josh I’d be back.

Carly: Any reason I have to rush back? I’m thinking of getting my nails done, if they can fit me in.

Josh: No rush. Take your time.

Carly: Is Lauren still there?

Josh: Yeah.

She was likely using my absence to sink her teeth into Josh without my prying eyes.

Carly: Cool. Also, when I get home, we need to talk. I have some nudes.

Josh: Very interesting. I thought you were a bit prudish for that.

Carly: Huh?

Josh: Are you using DICK-tation, by any chance?

I scrolled up to see what I’d written. Ugh!

Carly: Not nudes. News! I was using voice to text.

Josh: Damn. Nudes sounded intriguing.

***

When I returned to the house after my appointment, an interesting scene was playing out on the couch. Not only was Scottie sitting on Josh’s lap during a Zoom call, the dog was humping Josh’s leg.

As I covered my mouth in laughter, Josh gave me the finger.

When I went into the kitchen, I found a piece of paper on the counter from one of Wayne’s notepads. Josh had written something on it and used a lemon as a paperweight.

A Thank You from The Trappist Monks of St. Francis:

I almost used this lemon for my iced tea. But then I realized it was the last one and I didn’t want you to stink tomorrow. So maybe add lemons to the next grocery run.

I rolled my eyes and laughed, but chose not to acknowledge the note until Josh got out of his virtual work meeting.

After he disconnected from the call—and escaped from the couch—he came into the kitchen.

“Well, that scene was a sight for sore eyes,” I chided.

He sighed. “I have to just keep my camera off permanently. Should probably shut the damn blinds, too. Anyone peeking into this house would get quite the show.”

I lifted the note he’d left me. “Thanks for the unnecessary manner in which you told me we needed lemons, by the way.”

“Anytime. Figured we should start using up those notepads.”

When the dog strolled in, I bent to pet him. “Bubba, you were enjoying yourself a little too much.” I rubbed his ears. “You little horn dog.”

Josh arched a brow. “You told him I was easy, didn’t you?”

I laughed. “Yup.”

“Have you followed up with the police again, or are you secretly hoping they never get back to us?”

The latter. “Last I heard they had no leads, but I’ll follow up with them again.”

“Sure you will.” Josh’s mouth spread into a smile. “Your hair looks nice, by the way.”

His smile and unexpected compliment warmed me all over. What was going on with me? I must be damn lonely if I was reacting to Josh like that. He hadn’t done anything but smile and tell me my hair looked nice, and I was turning into a pile of mush. A genuine smile and a compliment aimed at me were rare things from him, though.

“Thank you,” I finally said, clearing my throat. “I ran into an old friend of yours today.”

“Who?”

“My hairdresser. Her name is Bianca DiLoreto. You dated her sister in high school.”

“Oh.” He scratched his chin. “Nicole’s sister. Hardly a friend, but yeah, okay.”

“Anyway, she offered me a job doing makeup for weddings on Saturday mornings. That was my news.”

“Your nudes.” He winked.

“Right.” I chuckled. “Anyway, I didn’t want to accept without checking in with you since you’d have to stay with Scottie while I’m out.”

He didn’t hesitate. “That’s no problem at all.”

“Really?”

“Did you think I’d have an issue with that? It’d be good for you to get out. And why not make some extra cash for yourself?”

“Thank you.” I nodded. “I agree.”


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