Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Mr. Blower? No way. That short dude was Blower? I sneaked a peek at the sharply dressed man next to me.
I’d read his online profile recently and knew the basics: fifty-six, married, three adult children, and a Mint and Cooperton employee for twenty years, CEO for a decade. Although he had an impressive pedigree, he wasn’t the type of man I’d notice in a crowd. But I’d heard about this guy, and Julia suddenly seemed nervous.
And now I was nervous for no reason. As you might have caught on, I didn’t do nervous well.
I fiddled with the strap on my bag, forgetting I was holding the keys Sanjay had given me. I stuffed them into an outside pocket, and unearthed a water bottle, twisting the top off to give my hands something to do. Blower was watching me. Yikes.
“How’ve you been?” Julia asked me with a tight-lipped smile.
“Good.” I twisted the cap…open, close, open, close. “What about you? How’re your moving plans going?”
“Very well, thank you.” She darted a nervous glance toward the steely-eyed men in suits. Fuck. This felt like the longest elevator ride of my life.
“That’s great. Moving isn’t easy. Trust me, I know.” I twisted the cap again…open, close, open. “I’ve been here for two months and I’m still not unpacked. Just when I thought I was almost there, my mom sent me a box from home. It’s a big one, too.”
I widened my arms to demonstrate the approximate measurement. Why? I had no idea. I was a human train wreck coming into the station hot. Babbling? Check. Inappropriate large gestures in confined spaces? Check. Dubious relationship with karma? Double check.
I tilted my wrist just as the car jerked to a stop at the lobby, dousing my fellow passengers with water. They all got it. Julia’s sleeve, the tall man’s tie, and Mr. Blower’s…face. Water dripped from his glasses onto his cheeks and mustache. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make an impression.
“What the—this is outrageous,” Mr. Blower blustered, slipping his glasses off his nose, shaking them as he moved into the lobby area. “Outrageous, I say!”
“Oh, my gosh, I’m so sorry.” I recapped the bottle and fumbled through my bag looking for a napkin or something to give him. “Here’s a tissue.”
He grabbed it, furrowing his brow fiercely as he wiped his glasses. If looks could kill, I would have been a goner.
“Not to worry, Raine,” Julia assured me, casting another anxious glance at Blower. “It was just an unfortunate accident.”
He turned an evil eye on her, slid his glasses on his nose, and marched for the exit, leaving a vapor of negativity in his wake.
I tugged at my collar and made a yikes face. “That was Blower?”
“Afraid so.” Julia sighed, then snorted. “I can’t believe you flicked water at him.”
“I didn’t mean to. You’d think I’d sprinkled holy water on a vampire. He’s not going to stalk me in the middle of the night to drink my blood, is he?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. He’s a horrid old wanker. He’s responsible for my ulcer and night sweats. I’ve been with Mr. Horsham for ten years and I’ve loved my job for eight and a half of them. This last year with the acquisition from hell—” Julia bit her bottom lip. “Never mind. I’m sorry, Raine. Ignore me. I shouldn’t open my gob.”
“No, no. It’s okay. Get it off your chest.” I blew out a ragged breath. “I heard Blower was a prick, but I didn’t realize it was a hopeless condition.”
She gave a weak half laugh and sighed. “He’s perfectly unpleasant where Mr. Horsham is concerned. I don’t know what happened between them, but it’s made for a toxic environment. Aberdeen is looking very attractive right now.”
“You’ll be there before you know it.” I squeezed her shoulder and continued, “By the way, should I be nervous that you mentioned my name? They don’t file police reports for water spillage in the workplace in London, do they?”
Julia’s smile met her eyes this time. “I didn’t say your surname so, you’re safe. And with any luck, this will be over for everyone soon. For me…two weeks and counting!”
I chuckled at her uncharacteristic shimmy and waved good-bye, feeling weirdly shaken.
14
RAINE
The English countryside was picturesque with rolling green hills dotted with sheep and cows and majestic trees. Today, the skies were a robin’s-egg blue with fluffy clouds reminiscent of a Gainsborough painting. I wanted to enjoy the beauty, appreciate this moment, knowing it might be my only chance to see this part of the world. And certainly my only chance to do it with Graham.
I didn’t want Blower to ruin it, so I didn’t mention my run-in with him. I was sure it would come up eventually, but…not now. I’d never seen Graham so relaxed.
The farther we traveled from the city, the more gregarious and chipper he was. No joke. This was the sexy bear who loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves at the end of the day. This was the guy with crinkly eyes and a sharp tongue who lost consonants in his speech, called me pet, and switched his “my”s to “me”s. I liked this version of him.