AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fair enough. That was too much to ask.
I’m tempted to call off the deal and just tell her everything right now, but I do need her help, and given that she’s already quit her job, she needs the money. “Tomorrow. Andrew said he has everything ready, so you’ll be able to start this week.”
Carol nods and lowers her head again, lacing her fingers together, becoming lost in her own thoughts. I move closer and cover her hands with mine. “What’s going on? Is there something I said or did?”
She shakes her head. “Surprisingly, no. You were actually the highlight of the whole thing.” She blushes as she says it and bites her lower lip, regretting the slip-up probably. “I was just thinking about some of the things Morgan said and let’s just say, that I have a few more things to consider.”
“What did that bastard say to you?” It would be super easy to find him and make him regret every word he’s ever uttered. Just a few phone calls and he’ll be moving back with his parents forever.
I don’t know what my expression is like, but it makes Carol chuckle. She pats my leg and assures me that he didn’t say anything bad. “I just realized how I act in a relationship.”
“I don’t recall any issues there—you were a very loving and caring person, and I find it difficult to believe that that’s changed.” I close the distance between us and kiss her again. Her hands move to my chest, rubbing it lightly before pushing me away. The time we spent this morning seems very far away.
“I think it’s best if you go. Daniel is waiting,” she says and it’s like she just threw a bucket of ice water over my back.
“You are right.” My sweet boy. I hardly talked to him yesterday and haven’t spoken to him at all today, only checking in on him with text messages. “I’ll see you tomorrow, right?”
“Sure, it’s my turn now,” she reminds me. It’s not what I wanted to hear, but it will do for now. I get up and she escorts me to the door.
“Goodnight, Carol,” I say and kiss her softly again. She gives me a sheepish smile.
“Goodnight, Brian.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Carol
Choosingtoworkata coffee shop was not the best idea I’ve had today. I always thought that the mindless chatter around me and the ongoing background music would make the hours pass by more pleasantly—at least the people that I’ve seen do it look like they have a great time while working. But going through packed financial data is not possible in this kind of place. Or maybe I’ve got so much going on that I just can’t relax.
I quickly scan the figures on the screen one last time and close the lid. There’s no point in torturing myself when it’s clear I can’t focus right now. My fingers tap on the silver cover before settling on my cup. The coffee is warm with just a hint of strawberry flavor in it to break the monotony.
The window behind me covers the whole wall and offers so much warmth that my back is almost burning. I’m grateful for it, though. It’s quite soothing.
“That’s a first,” a voice says. “Tired, at last?”
I snort and glance at my watch before turning to Rose. Her hair is down today, small waves framing her face. Her eyes dart to the closed laptop and then settle on me.
“You’re late,” I inform her though I don’t mind. Rose is always late; thirty minutes are nothing. And she is right once again. I am tired. I spent most of the week going through every single thing that Brian—or should I say Andrew—sent me because I want to complete my part of the deal. But it’s such an interesting project because I feel like a bit of a detective.
Whoever is messing with the company’s finances knows exactly what he’s doing.
“How was the trip?” I ask as I put the laptop back in my bag.
“What do you think?” Rose replies, raising both arms in the air, making a short twirl. She’s wearing her usual gray yoga pants and a blue spaghetti strap top but from the look on her face and from the tan on her skin, I guess the trip was more than enjoyable for her and Dennis. I mean, one week at a resort, next to the beach all day…it does change you. It took less than that to change me.
“I’m actually surprised,” I say. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you so well-rested yet the whole premise of your work is that it’s basically an all-year vacation.” I rest both hands on the table and grin at her.
“You’d think so, but no. It’s the first time that Dennis and I have been able to spend so many days together without any interruptions. I mean, this kind of thing relaxes you completely. Usually.”
The implication being that I don’t look relaxed at all. Touché.
I lean back in the chair and move a few strands of hair away from my face. Rose looks around her and waves at the waiter to take her order.
“So how have you been?” she stresses you way more than needed for someone who already knows pretty much everything that happened on the trip and afterward, with a few exceptions.
“Not much has changed, to be honest. Brian sent me the documents on Tuesday, and I’ve been going through them ever since. I’m almost done, in fact, and right on time. I mean I will be officially out of work soon. I need to focus on the job hunt.”
“Carol, that’s not what I meant. Come on. How have the two of you been doing?
