AllFreeNovel
Share Us
For a second, Nolan just blinks at me. Like what I said to him is too good to be true.
Then he snaps out of it. “You want your job back?” he blurts out, eyes wide.
I nod, quickly flinging out a heap of justifications.“Temporarily. I probably won’t be in town for long. Just for a little while to figure out my next move. But while I’m here I could stand to make a bit of cash.”
And in all honesty, I need something to occupy my time, besides lying around, huffing Nolan’s couch cushions and ruminating on every mistake I’ve made in the past six months.
He doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t weigh his options. “Can you start tonight?” he all but yells.
I gasp. “Tonight? Really?!” I’m not doing a great job of hiding my excitement either. “Sure. Heck yes!”
“Then, you’re hired!” With zero freaking warning, he grabs my shoulders and yanks me against him, planting a big kiss on my cheek.
But his skin is still wet from the shower. So now my T-shirt is wet, too. Right along with my panties, if we’re being fully transparent here.
In my defense, I’m in shock. Usually, this man is as rigid as a red brick. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a random outburst of emotion from him.
Realizing that he just crossed the line, Nolan drops my shoulders and immediately steps backward. “Shit. Sorry.” He cringes.
Well, I’ll tell you who’s not sorry. My nipples. My nipples are very happy, in fact.
And now, I’m standing here—with no bra on—displaying my very happy nipples to my new employer through my wet T-shirt.
His gaze moves down the front of my shirt again and his pupils dilate. He quickly takes another step back. This time, he bumps into a rickety console table.
Wow. I stand there with my eyebrows touching my hairline, unable to remember a more awkward moment between us.
I fold my arms over my chest and force a tight laugh. “You know? I’m having second thoughts about the work environment. Seems like my boss is kind of touchy-feely.”
A deep wrinkle appears between Nolan’s eyebrows. “You know that saying, I’m so happy I could kiss you? Well, I guess I took it literally for a minute there. Please don’t tell HR.”
Look at you, Nolan Brighton. Cracking jokes and everything.
I shake my head. “Psht. What HR? I’m pretty sure I was HR.”
Nolan chuckles awkwardly. “You were HR. And operations manager. And customer service. And quality control. All of it. Let’s just say I didn’t realize all the roles you were filling until you were gone.” I examine his expression, noting the strain beneath his tight smile.
A tiny part of me puffs up, feeling validated, enjoying that he noticed my absence, delighting in the idea that he might have missed me. At least a little bit.
“Damn. Are the new employees really that bad?” I ask, trying not to sound too smug.
He groans. “They’re so bad, Inez. So bad.”
I laugh, excited for the challenge. “Don’t worry, I’ll set them straight,” I promise with a wink.
Nolan grunts. “I fucking hope you can.”
At that precise moment, Stella pops out of the bathroom. “Daddy!” She gasps. “Did you say the ‘F’ wor—?”
Before she can finish her accusation, Nolan sweeps her off her feet, tossing her over his shoulder. “You didn’t hear anything. Now, what’s for breakfast? Gotta get ready for your piano lesson.”
Stella’s giggles rise into the air as her dad marches her off to the kitchen.
I’m laughing too as I watch the adorable duo disappear around the corner. But my laughter dies quickly as I think about the day that’s about to unfold ahead of me.
I can’t decide what I’m more nervous about—having to face my nosy Starlight Falls neighbors, or having to face the pitchforks waiting in my email inbox. I wonder how many lawsuits are on their way to me right now.
Resolving to rip off the bandaid, I head back into the office and dig through the meager belongings in my suitcase.
