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“What if I do,” I say before I can stop myself.
He walks up, invading my personal space. I have to take a step back. “If you want me to let you go so badly, just say the word.” With that, he brushes past me and walks out.
* * *
Later that eveningI’m at Jessica’s house complaining bitterly to her about her brother. “He is such a grade A asshole, no offense.”
Jessica smiles as she sets up the dining table. “None taken. Jake is just Jake. He is a perfectionist and after leaving the Navy, he just got worse. Can you pass me the plates?”
I pick the plates from the kitchen counter and help her set them on the table. “He is just arrogant and overbearing. It’s like he lives to wear and tear at my patience.”
“But you’ve got to love him,” she says and I throw her a deadpan look. She throws her hands up in defeat. “Just don’t fight with him and give him a reason to fire you. Jake is quick in his decision to let employees go.”
“I almost wish he would fire me,” I mumble.
“Did you say something?” I shake my head at her scrutinizing gaze. I know how much Jessica had to beg to get me this job and I really appreciate it, but her brother though.
After we are done setting up for dinner, I go call the kids down. Jessica asked me to stay for dinner even though I only came to rant about her brother, and I was happy to oblige. It is far better than going home to an empty apartment and microwaved food.
The dinner is fun. Jessica scolded the kids for bad eating habits and Malcolm is laughing with glee at their antics. They make me miss my parents and I get the sudden urge to call my mom.
Ever since my father died, my mom receded into herself and every effort to bring back her past self was futile. Their love was one so pure; when my father died it was like she lost a part of herself.
After dinner, Jessica follows me to the door. “I know I’m probably going to sound like a terrible sibling, but ignore Jake.” She waves her hand. “You know he isn’t the reason you came here.”
Ignore him. Those words make me restless. How am I supposed to ignore someone who makes me uncomfortable by just staring? I think back to my first meeting with Harry and Cecilia. If looks could kill, Jake would have been my murderer. His stare was so intense I had turned to look at him and the disgust on his face said it all. This twisted feeling of attraction is definitely one sided.
I turn on my bed and groan. “Go to sleep, Bella.” With Jake sniffing around for fault in my work, I can’t afford to be late to work tomorrow. Though I would love to ruffle the posturing peacock a bit and watch him struggle to hide his emotions behind that stoic face.
I involuntarily smile at the memory of the battle I won during the meeting with his employees. He was grinding his teeth so hard I expected powder when he opened his mouth. Flipping on to my back I groan, “Get out of my head you arrogant peacock,” but I don’t sleep till much later, all the while I list the pros and cons of falling for your boss.
The next day, I resume work grouchy. I barely got any sleep because I got so lost in my head.
“Bella!” I turn around to see Tristan hurrying after me. “Where is your head at? I’ve been following you since the coffee shop.” He hands me a cup of my favorite coffee from the shop I pass everyday on my way to work. I give a smile of gratitude.
“Rough night?” He pushes.
“I couldn’t sleep so I spent half the night thinking.” I take a sip of the coffee and sigh in relief. “Thanks for this, really.”
“Care to share your troubles? What’s the problem? Boyfriend? Money?”
I scoff. “If only it was that simple. A shot of tequila would have fixed it right up.”
He laughs at that. “Maybe it’s the boss. It’s like you guys are at war or something.”
I frown. “The man is after my sanity.”
“A wise old man once said, ‘People only affect you as much as you let them.’ The way you react to the boss is on a whole other level. You guys start bickering and it’s like you’re both in your own world.”
“Bickering?” I question.
“Yeah, everyone is talking about it at this point. You guys look like you are in love or something.”
“You have a very twisted view of love.” It’s not love, attraction maybe. But not love. That’s too intense a word.
CHAPTER6
JAKE
