Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
“Not happening.” We both turn to find Mr. Hardwick staring at me. “You should have told me you were leaving, Lacey. I forgot the time as well.”
“I didn’t want to bother you, Mr. Hardwick.”
“It’s Lincoln.” Lawrence twists his face in confusion. “Well, don’t let us keep you from eating.” He glares at my former boss and adds, “Davis, we have more important matters to handle than bothering Ms. Flowers during her lunch. As I recall, you have a presentation that’s due in my office at the end of the day.”
“I’ll have it ready.” Lawrence waves to me and says, “Good to see you.” Instead of going to the counter, he leaves the restaurant. That takes me by surprise unless he doesn’t want to be harassed by the boss.
I tilt my head and cinch my brows, staring at the doorway and looking perplexed, when I hear Mr. Hardwick close to my ear say, “He came in here to steal you away from me.” My thighs slam together with the heated whisper. I turn so fast that our mouths almost touch, and he whips his head back quickly to avoid the almost kiss.
“I’m sorry about that. Seriously, I’m not trying anything.” I put my hands up to show I meant nothing by what just happened, and then I spin on my stool to wrap up the sandwich, having lost my appetite. Or rather my stomach is too wrapped up in knots to eat.
His hand comes over mine. “Finish eating. I’m the one who stood too close, so I’m the one who should apologize. It won’t happen again. By the way, Davis and his staff had a lunch meeting already today, so he followed you out of the lobby with the intent to speak with you.”
“Are you serious?” I had no doubt he was right because I’d gotten an uncomfortable feeling when Lawrence moved in so close. It’s different from Mr. Hardwick gets close. He sends my body into a world of desire like I never imagined.
“Positive.” The low growl that comes from his throat catches me off guard. I’d almost think he was jealous. However, I’m aware that he doesn’t want me working for him given the shortness of his words and the plain avoidance, so his alpha dominance actually ticks me off right now.
“Well, that’s because, despite what you might believe, I am a decent assistant,” I huff, turning up my chin at him.
He cocks his brow up, looking smug. “So that’s what I’m learning.” I feel like I won, smiling until he adds, “Although decent assistants don’t sneak out for their lunch.”
Narrowing my eyes, I cross my arms over my chest and hiss. “They do when their boss comes in like a bear stomping on flowers.”
He frowns so slightly that I almost didn’t notice it before his expression quickly tightened. “Fine, I won’t stomp on my prized flower. Just do your job, and we’ll have no problems.”
Prized flower. “Good.” There he goes, going from sweet to cold and formal.
“Enjoy your lunch.” He taps on the table, pushes away, and then walks over to the counter to order his food. Five minutes later, he leaves the restaurant without another look in my direction, which bothers me a bit. I somehow expected him to join me, but he’s the big boss, and I’m nobody. Besides, he’d made it clear about his interest in his assistants—absolutely none.
I chew on my sandwich like it’s sand, having lost all interest in it, but I know I’m not going to want to cook when I get home and I don’t want to starve. I refuse to do so just because the boss confuses me.
My phone buzzes in my purse, so I slide it out and see a message from one of my besties. I can always count on my two friends, Marilyn and Casey, to brighten my day. She knows I’m working for a hard ass just like her brother, so she shoots me a couple of memes. She graduated from a pastry chef program this past week. In less than two weeks, she’s going for a special bake-off for a job and maybe have her own hard ass to deal with. Smiling, I type quickly back to Marilyn.
The next thing I know, I’m in a group chat with the girls, giggling at their comments, which help soothe my troubled mind. I end the chat, letting them know I have to return to the big, bad boss, and Casey sends a pic of a hot-looking animated wolf holding a sexy red riding hood. Shaking my head, I tuck my phone away and spin to toss out my trash, only to slam right into my boss.
“It’s after two, Ms. Flowers.”
“Oh my goodness. I’m so sorry. I’ll stay later.”
“Yes, you will. Now stop messaging your boyfriend and let’s get going.”