Almost two weeks later, I was beyond frustrated.Not because of Lucas.Our relationship since Leavenworth had progressed nicely.We’d gone to dinner several times and spent Friday night together.I was happy.
My frustration came from looking at Rustic’s books.No matter how many times I tried to match things up, it didn’t make sense.I was beginning to suspect they had two sets of books and were giving me a little bit of each.
Josh and Dean had gathered all the Rustic invoices to FI for the last year.Nothing was matching up the way I thought it should.
“This doesn’t make any fucking sense.”I slammed my hand against the desk and instantly regretted it as pain shot through my fingers.
“When you start swearing, things can’t be good,” Lucas said from across the office.
“This is an accountant’s nightmare.”I threw my hands up in the air.“I don’t get how their accountant makes sense of any of this.”
“Want to talk it through?”
“No.I want to throw it all in a fire and burn it.”I appreciated Lucas’ suggestion, but talking this through at the moment wasn’t going to help.This company was a mess.
“That bad?”
I heard the humor in his voice, and it irritated me more.“I’m not kidding, Lucas.I can only get one out of every four invoices to match up.The others don’t match what Rustic has and what the invoice says.”
“That shouldn’t be happening.”He frowned.
“No shit.”I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.“Sorry, I’m just irritated beyond belief.”
He stood and walked over to me.“You’ll figure it out.”He placed his hands on my shoulders and massaged.
Oh man, that felt so good.I’d been hunched over the books too long.“I know, but right now, it’s bugging the heck out of me.”
“Maybe it’s time for a break.”
I didn’t move as he continued to work the knots out of my shoulders.Inch by inch, I started to relax.
“Maybe some coffee and food will help.”My cell rang, and I glanced at the screen where it sat on my desk.My mother.Just what I didn’t need, but if I didn’t answer it, she’d just keep calling.All the tension Lucas had just worked out returned instantly.“I need to take this.”
“Answer it.I’m going to keep massaging since you were just starting to relax.”
Relaxing on a call with my mother?That was anything but relaxing.“Hello, Mother.”
“Valerie.Good, I finally got you.I’m calling to remind you that you will be at Kendall’s party tomorrow night.”
I sighed.I didn’t want to go.I hated these types of parties, even more with how my family acted.
“I don’t want to hear any excuses,” my mother said, raising her voice.
Lucas’ hands tightened on my shoulders.My mother had yelled so loud he heard her.He turned my chair, leaned down, and mouthed.“Event?”
I shook my head, but his eyes narrowed.Damn, I didn’t need this.I was trying to keep Lucas away from my family.
“I’ll call you back.”I hung up before my mother could complain.
“Do they not want to meet me because I walked out on you?”Lucas asked, hurt reflected in his eyes.
“What?”I shook my head.“Absolutely not.”
“They why don’t you want me to meet your family?”
Oh, damn.I hadn’t foreseen this happening.“You know I’m not close with my family.”Admittedly, I’d never explained why.Maybe because I feared Lucas would see me as some “petty bitch” as my family would call me.
“I remember, but your mom wants you got come to the event tomorrow night, actually she’s insisting on it.”
