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No one rejects a Penmayne.
It’s safe to say if Josie and I weren’t entering into a fake relationship, then I would definitely be trying to get her into bed...
I simply wouldn’t be able to help myself. I am a Penmayne, after all.
I continue to stare in the mirror and smile to myself.
Oh, I am bad.
18
JOSIE
I take a big bite of the almond croissant and, as always, it is the most delicious thing in the entire freaking world. I sit back and relax in the chair as I chew on the pastry. It has certainly been a long hard shift, and I’m only now on break. For a long time today, I’ve really needed to sit down and just let go.
There’s been a lot going through my mind recently, and it is exhausting. Just thinking about all my problems has been tiring beyond belief.
The chair opposite squeaks as Amanda moves it to sit down. I look up at my manager.
“Hello,” I say to her.
“I hope I’m not interrupting your break,” Amanda says. “I thought I’d come over and have a little chat.”
“No, you’re not interrupting.”
Amanda smiles.
“Good,” she says. “How are you, Josie?”
I blink. Her voice is uncharacteristically seriously sympathetic. Amanda’s usually very light and jokey. I wonder what she’s getting to...
“I’m good.”
“I have to say, you’ve been... distant the last few days at work,” she observes.
“What do you mean?” I ask, getting even more suspicious of her atypical tone.
Amanda shrugs. “You just seem distracted by something, so I’m just checking you’re doing okay.”
“Yep. All fine. I’m fine. I’m hunky dory.”
“How’s the divorce going?” Amanda asks, her voice softening and going quiet as if she doesn’t want anyone else in the coffee shop to hear.
I nod. This is what she was getting to. The fucking divorce. I should’ve known.
“I’m working on it,” I say with a slight smile as if to tell her everything is going perfectly.
“Do you need any help with anything?”
“Amanda, I’m all good.”
“I’m here if you ever want to talk.”
“Thanks.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll leave you to the rest of your break.”
“Thank you, Amanda,” I say. “Thank you for checking on me.”
