“Okay, do you have your receipts for those purchases?” Daniel asks, looking up from a pile of papers on my kitchen table to look at me. I look down, shuffling through the different stapled packets. “It should be here somewhere.” “Then we’ll put that with this information here and inc
“Oh, of course!” He says, seemingly understanding that it’s time to go. “Sorry!” “No, don’t worry!” I reply back, feeling somewhat bad for making him think whatever it is he’s now feeling. “I actually have a lot of work to do, and I didn’t even realize the time.” Is that the
I rub as much sleep out of my eyes as possible, staring at my reflection while I stagger another yawn. Sleep has evaded me again, and I groan with the realization I have a long day ahead of me. I’m not sure what exactly is causing this painful insomnia: the embarrassment of what happened wit
Ken breathes out his mouth, his smile pulling up into a “Well, what are you going to do?” His shrug comes next, and I struggle not to narrow my brows at him. “I guess because I’m here now we should get started though, shall we?” Ken asks, choosing to sit in the chair across from me.
Aside from his attitude, of course. “Let me spell this out for you since you seem to be misunderstanding me.” He grabs my arm, and the blood starts to drain from my face. “Get your hand off of me,” I sneer, ready to either spit in his face for touching me or punch him in his stupid n
Derek’s face finds mine, his own dark eyes baring into my soul. “Esme.” It’s only one word, but God does it pack a powerful punch. “I’m fine.” I don’t even mean to say it so quickly; it’s almost like I’m pushing back at him for something. “What?” He asks.
Another step forward from Derek. He’s maybe five or six feet away from me now, closing in on me. It feels like I’m absolutely suffocating. “Then let me buy you a drink after work. As an apology. From your friend.” Is that what I want from him? Do I want a friendship, or is that too c
“Home sweet home,” I grumble as I slam the front door closed. I let everything in my arms drop to the floor and slowly make my way to the couch to lie down. The utter exhaustion that runs through my veins is enough to face plant down on the soft material without a second thought. After this
For once in our friendship, my friends don’t pressure me to open up with them. They just protect me. I’m not used to such behavior from my sarcastic, goofy friends. It’s nice, because ever since I left Ryan I’ve felt as if the entire world has demanded answers, even if I’m not ready. It’s not unti
Annie and Lily come over for the first time in a while. It feels so nice to be surrounded with my girls, and their hugs when first arriving feel like something I’ve deprived myself of. “I wish you’d find out the gender,” Annie groans as she stretches herself out on the sofa. “I want to know if I’m
“That’s not—” “You don’t treat me like an underling.” “You’re not one!” “Yes, I am! I’m supposed to be under you! This isn’t a debate that we should be having. We’ve been pushing the envelope on what’s appropriate and what’s not. In the end, we have blurred any lines we had the day I left my h
“And I’ll have those numbers determined once the remainder of the information comes in,” I say into my work phone. “Don’t worry, I know everything is a mess right now but it’s an easy fix.” I sigh and look up, startled to see Derek standing at my open office door. He looks serious and also worried
Bea shoves the item in her hands at me. I take it softly, looking down at what she had. A picture of a beautiful redhead with a bright smile stare back at me. I see two small girls surrounding her. Bea can’t be more than three, and the baby wrapped in blankets held by the woman must be Tris. “Is t
“No. I called you. I couldn’t think of anything else.” I nod. “Call the front desk, security, any friends you might have in the building or complex altogether. Have the pool on lookout, and anywhere else she might feel she can hide.” “Okay,” Derek says, nodding but still clearly distraught. I
My phone starts ringing as I leave the restaurant I’ve just eaten at. Daniel and I had a meeting today to talk about the restraining order and other paperwork. Not only that, but now Daniel knows about Natalie’s claims, as well as our suit against Max. “I really wish I didn’t have these other pr
“Uh, there’s a difference?” He seems more confused than when he walked in now. “Cause I’m just worried about not being able to answer all her questions.” “Well,” I think. “They’ll be showing that health class video soon. Most girls don’t actually hit puberty and get their periods until middle scho
It’s around eight when I hear knocking on my door. I’ve been getting stuff done and cleaning the apartment. But the baby? That has been causing some issues. Even wearing better shoes and making sure I’m taking care of my health and stress; I’m still not having an easy time. And this is still the