Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
I looked at her, but she wore an annoyingly good poker face. “Well?” I asked, exasperated that she was giving me nothing to go on.
Her face broke into a grin and she nearly shrieked, “I got the job!”
I laughed, loving her excitement and beyond ecstatic for her. “Oh my God, that’s fantastic!”
Valerie beamed. “I know, right? I didn’t think I’d walk out of there with a job, but Brandy said she’d interviewed a few people already, and she really liked what was on my résumé in terms of my previous duties as an assistant…even after I told her what had happened with Mark. She was actually very sympathetic about the situation, like you said she’d probably be. At the end of the interview, she made me an offer that was more than my last job and I start on Monday!”
I grinned, her elation infectious. “I’m so happy for you.” I picked up my iced tea and raised it toward her. “Cheers to you.”
She clinked her glass to mine, just as our lunch order arrived. Salads for both of us and I ate a few bites before speaking again.
“So, I’m giving you a heads-up that you already have an admirer at the office,” I told my sister.
Intrigue touched her expression. “Oh?”
I nodded. “Yep. His name is Jack. He’s the senior PR manager. He’s a solid guy. And a gentleman, other than the fact that he was staring at your ass when you walked by the conference room.”
Valerie giggled, her eyes sparkling happily. “A nice, unspoken compliment. I’ll take it.”
“Don’t be surprised if he asks you out for coffee or lunch once you start at the office.” I stabbed a piece of chicken with my fork. “And I can vouch for him. He’s a very easygoing and an all-around nice guy. He’s successful, without an overinflated ego. In other words, no drama.”
She arched a brow at me. “Then why aren’t you dating him?”
I shrugged. “Because he’s not my type.” Which was true.
“Oh, right,” Valerie said, her tone filled with humor. “Hot billionaires with big dick energy are.”
I rolled my eyes at her. “Jack and I have a great working relationship, but that’s it. He’s clearly interested in you, so if you’re anywhere near ready to try dating again, he’s someone I’d trust.”
She bit her bottom lip, seemingly considering that. “I can do a lunch, or coffee, and see how it goes.”
I was glad to see my sister opening up again, relieved that Mark hadn’t completely crushed her self-esteem.
We continued eating lunch while I gave her a rundown of my meeting today and how well it had gone. When we were finished, we headed out of the deli and I waited at the curb with her, chitchatting until her rideshare arrived to take her back to the apartment.
Her cellphone rang and she dug it out of her purse. An unfamiliar number was on the display, which usually indicated a spam call.
She looked hesitant, because nobody enjoyed dealing with telemarketers. “I should answer this just in case it’s Brandy or someone at Dare PR about my employment starting on Monday.”
I agreed. I knew that calls from the office always showed up with the firm’s name for me, but considering Valerie had just been offered the job, I understood why she didn’t want to ignore the incoming call.
She connected the line and put the phone to her ear. “Hello?”
“Where the fuck are you?” Mark yelled so loud, even I could hear him.
Valerie froze, and I saw the immediate panic and fear transform her expression.
“You haven’t been at the apartment for days,” he went on, screaming like a lunatic and giving away the fact that he’d been stalking her again. “And don’t think that I can’t find you, wherever you are!”
My sister seemed paralyzed, in shock and unable to respond or move so I grabbed the phone from her. “Leave her the fuck alone,” I said, furious that he’d dare to break the restraining order and find a way to call her anonymously. Not to mention his threats. “She’s done with you, asshole!”
“Yeah, well, maybe I’m not done with her.” Suddenly, he huffed out a breath, as if realizing how unhinged he sounded, and tried a more reasonable tactic. “Look, all I want is to talk to her. And apologize.”
My stomach churned at those words, familiar ones that reminded me of the way our father had always groveled his way back into our mother’s good graces. How he’d given her false hopes and promises that things would be better this time around. Except they never were, and the abuse only escalated until…well, I refused to think of that outcome for Valerie.
Valerie seemed to regain her composure enough to take the phone back. “I don’t want your apology, Mark,” she said, her voice stronger than I’d anticipated, making me proud of her resolve in the moment. “I want you to just stay out of my life. Stop calling me. It’s against the restraining order and I’m going to report you to the police.”