Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
You’d think with how I grew up I’d be tougher and not so gullible. I always tell myself I'm going to be meaner and more forceful, but I don't have it in me. I remember one of my foster parents telling me I was full of sunshine. All I feel lately is like I’m walking with a dark cloud hanging over me.
“Just leave your key inside your place. I’d hop to it if I were you. You’ve only got a few hours to get your things.” With that, Mitch turns to leave. I stand there and watch him pull away in a fancy car with temporary tags. I guess he got a good price for the place.
When I enter my studio, I walk over to the couch and fall backwards on it, pulling out my phone. I start to search for a place to spend the night. The prices have me wanting to cry again. I let my eyes fall closed for a few minutes. With all the crying and worrying, I’m utterly exhausted. I’ve been working every shift I could get in order to try to at least stay afloat. Only to get fired.
I jerk awake what I think is a few minutes later to see it’s been hours. Holy crap. I make myself get up. I really don’t have any time left. For once in my life, I’m happy for owning so little. I start shoving things in the one suitcase I have. I grab a couple of trash bags for the rest of it. It’s that or leave it behind.
It’s kind of sad how quickly I packed all my things up. I plop back down on my couch trying to think of the positive, but for the first time, I can’t think of even one thing.
Caleb comes to mind. That would normally perk me up, but now I’m not sure I’ll ever see him again. He was always the brightest spot of my day. I was always trying to get him to talk more. He was quiet but so freaking sweet.
There is no chance I’ll ever run into him, though. We’re from two different worlds. The man's watch alone is likely worth five years of my salary. Still, he was always so kind. Not like a lot of the other high-powered businessmen that came and went from the shop. They could barely give you the time of day. They would look right through you.
I’d most definitely grown a one-sided crush on Caleb. I constantly drew little hearts on his coffee cups, but he was always polite and never asked for my number or anything else. It was probably for the best. It never would have worked between us.
I pull out my phone and start searching for places to stay, praying for a Christmas miracle. For once, it would be nice to have a bit of luck on my side.
3
CALEB
Lauren stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. Not that it’s going to change anything. I knew what I wanted, and I wanted that coffee shop to be destroyed. He made Gabriella cry; it was only fitting that I’d make Jim cry too. Having that place shut down over his behavior brought more joy to me than any holiday ever could. If I believed in Christmas, I’d consider this an early present to myself. Besides, I’m doing the area a favor. The coffee is shit. Everyone is welcome.
“We got the coffee shop's loans pulled, but do you have a plan for the building?”
“No.” It hadn’t been hard to call in a few favors. In any case, the coffee shop wasn't performing well. I got the loans for it pulled along with buying the building so I could rip the lease from them too. You can do a lot when you throw money around and people owe you. I normally enjoy sitting on the favors others owe me, but this was worth cashing them in.
“You’re just going to let it sit there?” I could burn it to the ground. That actually might make me feel better.
“Does it matter?”
“You paid well over market. I didn’t even know you could buy something that quickly.” Why is she so worried about this? It’s not her money, and the last time I checked, I didn’t pay her to keep tabs on my finances.
“Are you telling me how to run my business?”
"No, of course not, sir,” Lauren rushes to say. “It’s just different from normal. I suppose I’m playing catch-up.”
“Go play it somewhere else.” She opens and closes her mouth before turning and leaving my office.
That may have been harsh, but she has been overstepping her bounds a lot lately. It’s best to quickly put people back where they belong. If they think they can get away with it once, they’ll try it again. I don’t allow such things in my life.