Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“So then they’re being assholes.”
That’s what I assumed, and I’m glad my intuition was right.
“Your brother came to my office this morning. That marks two visits from family members warning me to go easy on you. Should I expect your mother this afternoon?”
She rears back, surprised, and I wonder if she knew about either visit. Her tone lightens a little with her reply. “My mother’s in Europe, so no. But…don’t be shocked if you get a call from Wyatt or Conrad.” She sounds resigned as she continues, “They’re just as protective as Barrett.”
Then she looks back down at her book, turning yet another page. Dismissing me again. At this rate she’ll have to turn back a few chapters once I leave.
“I want you to sit in on a call with me this afternoon and take notes.”
She looks up and blinks fast, trying to compute this new task in her head. “Okay, I’m supposed to finish up a draft of a contract for Sophie, but I can push that and—”
“I don’t need your entire life story. Find a way to be in my office for a 4:00 p.m. phone call.”
Then I walk away before I do something stupid, like ask her if she wants to come and eat lunch with Lucy and me.
Chapter Seven
Scarlett
I’m in the lobby outside Hudson’s office by 3:50 p.m. and not a minute later.
Lucy’s at her desk, watching a little TV that’s set up on the built-in counter behind her desk. It’s barely a foot wide in any direction with a grainy screen and a slot for a VHS tape.
“How old is that thing?” I can’t help the question from tumbling out.
“Shhh! It’s just getting good. She’s about to tell him the baby isn’t his.”
She’s watching a soap opera. While at work.
I have so many questions…
“Get in here,” Hudson says from his open door before he turns and storms back into his office.
I roll my eyes and call out to him as I follow. “Have you ever heard the expression you catch more flies with honey than vinegar?”
Lucy bursts out laughing. “You tell him!”
“Don’t listen to her,” he retorts dryly, referring to Lucy. “She’s senile.”
“Look at that! Another vacation day added to my schedule!” Lucy shouts back tauntingly.
Hudson totally ignores her as he reclaims his seat behind his desk.
I look around the room. “Where should I…”
He frowns at the question. “Anywhere. Have you never been inside an office before? Where there’s a chair, yeah, that’s where you’re allowed to put your butt.”
A sassy response is begging to be set free. Truly, this is the hardest I’ve had to work at holding my tongue in…forever.
But yesterday, I let my whims get away from me with that “asshole” comment. Today, we’re repenting. I’m going to zip my lips and take my chair and pretend I’m sitting across from the nicest man in the world. A real saint.
“Not that one,” Hudson says with an exasperated sigh when I choose a chair halfway across the room from him. I was trying to put a bit of distance between us. For safety. “You won’t even be able to hear the damn call if you’re way over there.”
“Then tell me where you want me!”
Ope, look at that. Back at square one.
I squeeze my eyes closed and do a deep breathing exercise I make up right now on the spot. Picture Hudson as a balloon floating far, far away, never to be seen or heard from ever again.
Oh, an even better one! Picture Hudson as a balloon stuck up on the tallest branch of the tallest tree for the rest of eternity.
“Here.”
My eyes fly open as he curves around his desk to grab a heavy upholstered chair. He drags it around the corner so it’s not exactly behind his desk where his chair is, but it’s not where guests normally sit either. It’s in a weird in-between spot, and it puts me only a few feet away from him. In the danger zone, so to say. I can smell his cologne from here. If I go any closer? Who knows what could happen.
He points to it until I walk around and take my seat, dutifully.
“Now just listen and take notes.”
“Will this be for a grade?”
His eyes narrow, but underneath the stern exterior, I swear he’s enjoying this. “Are you trying to test my patience?”
“Quite frankly, I’m not sure. My original plan was to be nice to you today.”
“And how’s that going for you?”
I arch my brow just as the phone on his desk rings. He’s still looking at me as he answers it.
“Rhodes,” he says by way of greeting. Then, “Yeah, listen, TJ, let me put you on speaker. I’ve got a junior associate here with me and she’s promised not to interrupt.”
I made no such promise, but I do know when to pick my battles and this is not one of them. I mime closing a zipper over my lips, and Hudson swaps the call over to speakerphone so I can hear both sides.