Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 159208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 796(@200wpm)___ 637(@250wpm)___ 531(@300wpm)
A whole month passes before I can blink.
No one’s heard from Lincoln since the day he disappeared.
I definitely haven’t. I don’t know what I expected, though.
He made it clear that I don’t matter. I’m the dirty little secret who blew him up and pushed him out of his career.
Anna and Jane have my back, working hard to shut down any lingering gossip. But it’s almost like they don’t need to. He’s been gone so long we’re creeping into life goes on territory, when news becomes memories and memories start to fade.
I head downstairs with a sigh, ready for another dull day. Cinnamon and butter punch me in the nose when I hit the marketing floor.
Jesus. It shouldn’t still remind me of him.
I’ve avoided Sweeter Grind like the plague lately. Now, that’s impossible with everyone holding one of those stupid colossal cinnamon rolls.
“Hey, Dakota.” Cheryl smiles and follows me on my way to Anna’s office—technically now mine. “You want me to grab you a Regis roll?”
“No. I’m—trying out this low carb thing. It’s pretty brutal. The entire diet is bacon and cabbage.” I stick my tongue out.
“Woof! You’re braver than me,” she says with a laugh. “Are you okay?”
I nod briskly.
“Do I not look okay?”
“You’re smiling, but your eyes aren’t. It’s okay to be upset.”
Part of me loves her for going into office mom mode when she sees me having so much as a quiet moment. The rest of me feels annoyed.
“I’m fine, Cheryl. No reason to be upset.”
“I mean, I’d still be raiding the drugstore every night for ice cream. Do they have a bacon and cabbage flavor?”
I look at her and blink.
“I don’t want to find out. Also, it’s been an entire month. I’m over it, lady. If I can get over a crazy, cheating scumbag leaving me at the altar, I can also get over Lincoln freaking Burns.”
I wish those words sounded sincere.
Who am I kidding? Lincoln Burns is everything I ever wanted.
He’s everything Jay isn’t, and now he’s gone in a flash of shattered hearts.
I try not to scoff.
“If you ever want to talk, I’m here,” Cheryl says gently.
Oops. I guess that scoff was audible.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“And thank you for your feedback on the latest copy. I’m correcting it today, and I’ll have it to you by lunch. It’s way easier working for you!”
I plaster on a smile that doesn’t feel real.
People keep telling me I’m a natural in this role, but it makes me hate it more.
Just because you’re competent doesn’t mean you’re happy.
I want to sling words—not manage people—and I desperately hope maybe Jane decides she wants her old COO position back so Anna will have to fall back to this. I’ll gladly give it up the second she asks.
“Your work rocks, Cheryl. Tons of improvement,” I tell her, ripping my mind off bad thoughts.
Cheryl beams, her soft silvery eyes twinkling. “I think it’s because you showed me I’m not afraid to take chances. If something doesn’t work, you let me know without any ego in the way. We just change it up.”
My lips twist in thought. Her posts have gotten funnier recently.
“Can’t wait to see what you bring me. I’ll see you later,” I say as I push open my office door.
I’ve barely been at my desk for fifteen minutes when someone knocks.
Now what?
“Come in!” I call.
Whoever I expect, it’s definitely not Tillie Burns marching through the door in a green blazer and gold necklace that look like they were just jacked from a runway model.
Can this day get any worse?
“Mrs. Burns? What a surprise. I wasn’t expecting you.” That’s an understatement.
And Tillie is a nice woman but her sudden presence is like a sucker punch.
The biggest reminder of Captain Dipshit yet.
“Hello, dear. I’m sorry I haven’t been around the last few weeks to check in on everyone since Lincoln left. He asked me to lay low, actually, and thought it would make the transition easier. I agreed. I love this company, though, and I simply couldn’t stay away forever. I’m sure you’ve had one of my cinnamon rolls?”
“Um, bacon diet. I wish I could.” I wrinkle my nose. “But the whole office loves them. You’re pretty much the hero around here anytime you bring Sweeter Grind.”
“Oh, the pleasure is all mine. It’s the least I can do to support my grown-up baby. I want this company to thrive with heart and soul for many years to come—even if my dearest son is a horse’s ass.”
I bite back laughter, giving her a curious look.
Somehow, I have a feeling this isn’t just about cinnamon rolls and waxing nostalgic.
Without hesitation, Tillie closes the door behind her and takes the empty seat across from my desk.
“Dakota, I’m so sorry,” she says abruptly.
Wait, what?
So that’s what she wants. I was afraid of this.
I glance at her, guarded, and shake my head.