Page 27

“We like your daughter, Mrs. Paisley,” Eli says, and she nods, still trying to work that out.

This is so mortifying. I can’t believe they are having a civil conversation like this with my mother.

“Just use protection. I am already raising one of my daughters’ kids,” my mother says, my mouth falling open, and I see Cyrus chuckle at her words.

“Mom!” I screech, appalled at what she’s said.

How could any mother be comfortable with this?

“What? Nothing wrong with consenting adults. Before I met your father—” she goes on to say when I clamp my hand over her mouth.

“Stop talking. I don’t want to know,” I tell her.

“What? I listen to all your sex stories,” she says.

“Yes, but you’re my mother. I don’t want that image in my head,” I tell her.

“And you think I want that image of you in mine?” she retorts, shaking her head.

“Exactly how many sex stories does she have?” Eli asks her.

“Nope, this conversation is over. You’re my bosses, nothing else. And mom, you are mom, so stop,” I warn her.

“I think we are upsetting her. I should stop,” she says playfully, earning a smile from them, yet all I get is glares usually.

We dish out dinner, the conversation remaining strictly PG, thanks to Maya. When they eventually leave, I let out a breath of relief.

* * *

I am excited about work today. Excited because it is a Friday, and I get to see Sam this afternoon. And I am happy about not having to see Cyrus or Eli over the weekend, assuming they won’t call. Today is a good day. After they stayed for dinner last night, I still feel a little nervous about them bringing up the idea of moving me; I am hoping by the end of the month, they will have found a replacement in Soya City, leaving me here.

Getting to the office, I turn everything on and start up the coffee machine. Nothing can bring my mood down today. Switching my computer on, I wait for it to boot. Making the coffees, I set them on the table, ready for when they’ll come in. Like clockwork, the elevator doors open, and out step the insufferable pricks. Though they are nice to look at, personality-wise, they are right pricks.

“You seem in a good mood today,” Eli remarks as I hand him his coffee.

“Yep, tomorrow is the weekend, and I won’t have to suffer the day with you two,” I tell them, not even caring if I’ve hurt their wee hearts.

“So, you think we won’t call you in? Damn, might just find something for you to do now since you love our company so much,” says Cyrus.

“I will switch my phone off,” I tell him.

“And I will rock up to your house,” he retorts.

I fold my arms across my chest. So much for my good mood.

“I am joking, Addie.”

“Very funny,” I tell him.

“Or maybe I am not. We’ll have to see,” he says, walking into his office.

Eli smiles, a devious look in his eye before walking into his office.

I sit at my desk, rummaging through a mountain of files. I need to get these done, so they won’t use it as an excuse to keep me back. I’m supposed to be meeting Sam at eight o’clock.

My job consists of mostly filing and taking calls and messages. I also have to book a few appointments, so to be a smartass, I book them all for 9AM Monday, back-to-back till lunchtime. They are going to be pissed. But because it is Friday and by the time they get messages about the meeting, it will be too late to cancel them. I snicker to myself at my plan of not having to deal with them on Monday for half the day.

Turns out they actually make me work back. The one time they don’t tell me to leave early is the day I am meeting Sam. They literally make me wait till dead-on 7PM before dismissing me. I curse their names all the way to my car, racing home to shower and get changed.