Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 112884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“I don’t even remember the last time I ate one”—she looks down and takes another bite—“but it should be more often.” She laughs and I have to wonder if she was this carefree before the prick fucked her up. “So why two sweet treats?”
“I usually bring it for—” I stop talking when she raises her hand and her eyes go big.
“You are dating someone who works here?” she asks and looks at the bite she took out of the croissant. “Oh my God, does she like this or the other?”
“I’m not dating anyone here,” I confirm to her. “They were both for me,” I lie to her. “I was undecided, so I thought, you know what, why not get both?” I look down at her laptop and motion with my head. “What are you working on?”
“I’m editing the video,” she answers, picking up the croissant. “I have to get it to the DJ.”
“How’s it turning out?” I ask her.
“Good. Some of the guys are funny, so I’m hoping that it gets a lot of interest.” She takes another bite. “What are you doing here?”
“I come and visit the kids twice a week,” I explain to her and her eyes go big.
“Twice a week,” she repeats before she reaches for the water in her purse and takes a sip. “That’s a big commitment.”
“Some of the kids have no other adults who visit but their parents or guardians. It’s good for everyone to get a break for a bit.” I shrug. “Plus, I’m doing a Lego set with one of them and I’m excited to finish it.”
“You are just full of surprises, aren’t you?” She takes a bite and looks like she’s about to laugh when she hears someone say her name.
She looks over and her face goes white. “I thought it was you,” the woman says, walking toward us. Lexi gets up from her seat as she greets the woman with a kiss on each cheek.
“Joyce,” she says her name softly, “this is a surprise.”
“I had an appointment,” she states, looking at her and then at me. “Were you two having coffee?”
“No,” Lexi quickly refutes, “he’s one of the bachelors for the auction.”
“Hi,” I say, reaching over to extend my hand, “I’m Kirby.”
She smiles at me and nods her head, extending her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Joyce Baron.”
“Ms. Baron,” I use her last name because she either wants me to or she thinks her last name means something to me. “It’s a pleasure.”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to your”—she looks at the table—“meeting.” She nods at me before turning and walking away.
Lexi slinks back into the chair, all the light that had entered her eyes gone. “Everything okay?” I ask her, knowing it probably isn’t.
“No,” she declares, putting the rest of the croissant in the bag and crunching the top shut.
“What happened?” I ask her and she grabs the white case that holds her earbuds, putting them both in there before shutting her laptop.
“I have to go.” She grabs her laptop and places it in her bag. “This is…” She shakes her head. “That was Joyce,” she fills me in, “Trent’s best friend’s wife.” She gets up and grabs her bag. “She’ll probably tell Bernie I was having coffee with you.” She looks up and exhales. “Thanks for the croissant.”
“You did nothing wrong.” I can’t help but say the words. “We were discussing the fundraiser, and I offered you something to eat.” I get up and grab the two bags and the cups of coffee. “Don’t let anyone spin it into something it isn’t.” Meaning don’t let your husband fuck with your head.
“I’ll see you at the fundraiser,” she says, putting the bag on her shoulder, turning, and walking away quickly with her head down. I fight back the anger that escapes me as I walk toward the elevators, giving her a head start. The last thing she is going to need is us getting in the elevator and having someone else see us together. I turn and opt to take the stairs instead of the elevators, going to see my sister.
I walk into her office and she turns from her computer screen to look at me. “I love these visits,” she says, reaching out her hands to me. I hand her the latte and the two white bags. “You ate this and then gave it to me?” She tosses it to the side. “I’ll save it for the car ride home.”
I laugh as I sit down in the chair in front of her. “What do you know about a Dr. Yoder?” I ask her and she looks out her door and then back to me.
“How do you know him?” she asks me, and I see the worry on her face.
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “Just did my physical this morning and all is good.”