Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59395 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59395 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Of course,” she agrees. “Please let me know if I can do anything to help. Honestly, I’d love to be considered for the assistant position I saw posted, working for you directly.”
I’d almost forgotten that I’ve graduated to a place in the firm where I’ve been allotted my own assistant but have had little time to interview. This is because I need an assistant. Oh, the irony. But perhaps Morgan is making this simple for me. The reception spot is often the place where we try people out and promote them and so far, Morgan has been excellent. “Let’s chat when I get back,” I suggest.
“That would be great. Let me know if I can play that role while you are gone. Anything you need, I’m here.” She hands me a piece of paper. “My phone number.”
“Text it to me. I’m too scattered right now. I will 100% lose it.”
“You bet,” she says. “And I’m an excellent organizer. You will never lose anything with me on your side.”
“I love it. Talk soon. I need to go now, though.”
“Good luck in LA.”
“I might need it. Thank you.”
I walk away from her, thinking about how far I’ve come at Hawk Legal, and how far I could fall if I end up in bed with Tyler. Not that I think he intends any such thing, not after the horrible way our encounter ended, but the weird sexual chemistry between us was not gone this morning. I don’t want any of this to get out and affect the perception of my abilities. The whole office would think I slept my way to the top, and for who? A man who will never want more than sex. And I do. I’m at that point in my life where I think I’m done with random, useless relationships that really amount to flings.
It’s time to get back to work and back to business in all ways, especially with my boss.
But I’m really not as angry with him now as I was last night. The truth is, he’s vulnerable after his father’s death, and in ways, he’d never admit or probably even see in himself. He doesn’t really want or need sex. He needs a friend, but he’s afraid of the connection. Sex is just the way he hides from anything real. I need to show him I’m safe. He can trust me without any reason to find a way to divide us.
He doesn’t have to fuck me until I hate him and walk away.
Friends don’t walk away from each other.
They stand by you.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bella
The bells chime as I open the door to Cupcakes and Books. By the time I walk into the cozy, deliciously scented bakery side of the establishment, I’m no longer fretting over my conversation with Dash. Truly, I think I’ve worked myself up into this frenzy out of fear of letting him down when that is unnecessary. I won’t let him down. I will always lift him up in any way possible and he knows this. Just as I know he will always do the same for me.
My gaze immediately seeks out Dash, and as expected, I find him well settled in at his favorite corner table, busy at work, his attention focused on his computer screen. Adrianna, one of the store owners—a tall, gorgeous, woman who is probably in her late forties, but I swear she looks thirty-five—waves to me from behind the counter. “Your normal?” she queries.
My normal is a quiche, followed by a cinnamon mocha latte in a mug, and a strawberry cupcake. The mugs really give this place a cozy touch. “Yes, please!” I call out, offering her a friendly smile. I like her. I like her husband, Jackson, too, wherever he is right now. This place is one of those places that makes you feel like you’re home and every holiday baking season, makes you wish for the next. Truly, the tasty-themed creations found inside these walls never fail to please.
I head toward my brother’s table, but I’m intercepted. A woman with bouncy red curls is fawning all over him, and he seems to be signing a book for her. My brother is both good-looking and talented. Women love him and I don’t know how Allie takes the attention he receives, but maybe she just knows he loves her. I certainly do. He was a loner until he met her, so like my father, you’d have thought they were of the same blood. But I’ve said the same of Tyler, so I suppose it’s just a single-guy thing.
I halt and stall my approach, allowing Dash’s fan a bit of time with him until she reluctantly backs away from his table. Dash’s eyes land on me and he smiles, and it’s a smile that proves how different he is since Allie came into his life. I didn't see the hollowness of his smiles in the past. But now I do. Now, I see that this smile reaches his eyes and lights his face. I truly believe his happiness with Allie is part of the reason I’m feeling alone. I haven’t lost Dash. But I haven’t fully found myself, either.