Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 57761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57761 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
“You want to speak without honorifics?” Surprise ripples over her face.
“Yes, so is it okay if I call you Lee instead of your,” I pull my hand back and gesture, “you know, your whole name?”
The corners of her mouth begin to tip up, and she nods her head. “You may call me Lee.”
Bringing my hand to her arm again, I squeeze lightly. “I’ll see you on Wednesday.”
She nods and steps back, but keeps looking at me as I get into the backseat and before I close the door, she calls out, “I hope you feel better soon… Lake.”
A huge smile spreads over my face. “Thanks, Lee.”
The second Mason steers the Bentley away from the country club, I lie down and close my eyes, mumbling, “I swear I’m going to sleep right through to Wednesday.”
“Well, that won’t be a change in your daily activities at all,” Mason mutters under his breath.
“Falcon, Mace is mean to me while I’m sick,” I complain, a grin spreading over my face.
“Seriously? You’re going to use the fucking whiplash against me for the next couple of days?” Mason grumbles.
“I’d be stupid not to,” I tease. “It’s not every day I get the chance.”
“All jokes aside,” Falcon says, glancing back over his shoulder. “That was a total shit storm back there.”
“Yeah,” I whisper.
“I was serious. I can find another investor. I’ve heard Indie Ink Publishing is looking to expand into a different market. The shareholders are young, and three of them live here in California.”
“I’m not going to lie, that’s a relief to hear. Let’s see how things go.” I place my forearm over my eyes, then add, “You should meet with them, though. Think how impressive it will be if you attend the next board meeting with a deal on the table.”
“You’re right. I’ll set up a meeting with the three shareholders here and see how that goes.”
We fall silent for a couple of minutes, and I begin to drift off when Falcon says, “You didn’t eat anything at lunch. Should we stop to pick up something?”
“No, I just want to sleep,” I mumble.
“That’s it,” Mason growls, and he begins to switch lanes, “I’m taking you to the hospital.”
Lifting my hand, I scowl at the back of his head. “Don’t waste time. I’m fine.”
“You have never said no to food. You’re definitely not fine,” Mason snaps.
Twenty minutes later, I’m glaring at Mason as he watches me with a smirk while a nurse checks my vitals.
“Everything seems normal,” the nurse says. “I’ll get a prescription for anti-inflammatories and a neck brace.” She rambles off more things to which I just reply, “Thank you.”
When I get the prescription, I shove it against Mason’s chest. “It’s your turn to get it filled out. I’ll be in the waiting room.”
“My turn?” he asks as I start to walk away.
“Yes, this is payback for Aspen. I’m also going to be stubborn and not take my meds,” I call back to him but then the throbbing in the back of my skull increases, and I quickly add, “Hell no, get the meds so this damn headache can go away.”
Chuckling, he smirks. “What happened to being stubborn?”
“It’s the thought that counts,” I mumble which has Mason laughing as he walks to the pharmacy.
As soon as the prescription is filled, I take the prescribed dosage, and under the hawk-eye supervision of Falcon, I strap the damn brace on. “Happy?”
Falcon smiles and pats my shoulder. “Good, boy.”
I let out a burst of laughter but quickly stop. “I’m going to lose my sense of humor by the time I’ve recovered from this damn whiplash.”
Lee
Feeling torn, I stare at the wall in my hotel suite, while I try to process everything that happened today.
Lake.
I really like his first name. I haven’t spent a lot of time with him but after today… he made me feel like I matter.
Even though he was clearly not feeling well, he never failed to be courteous and kind. I find a smile forming around my lips when I remember the sound of his chuckle. It was deep and such a happy sound.
He doesn’t want me kneeling.
When Chairman Park ordered me to formally apologize to Lake, it felt like a piece of my soul would die. It felt like my pride received a death blow when I lowered myself to the ground. The act was the most shameful thing I’ve ever done.
But instead of accepting my apology, Lake pulled me to my feet and instructed me to never kneel again.
Chairman Park dishonored me, but Lake Cutler returned my lost pride to me with a gentle touch and a kind smile.
Who is this man?
Lifting my hands, I cover my face when hope hits me hard, making my heart quiver from the mere possibility that my life might not be as doomed as I first thought.