Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods #5) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,74
angry with me? Fuck! I don’t think I’m going to like what she has to say. “I can’t accept. Thank you for the offer, but it’s not going to work for me. I was sure I was walking in here to resign today, but based on our discussion, I would very much like to stay.” She looks away, telling me that she probably wouldn’t have resigned, but that’s okay. “I can’t accept, though. I hope you understand.”
“Why not?”
“I just can’t. Let’s please leave it at that.” She stands. “I’m flattered, but no.”
I want to push her, but now is not the time. I’ll give her a chance to think about things, to calm down. Then I’ll approach her again. I’m not giving up. I’m patient and tenacious. She’s disappointed, which means there’s a part of her that wants this. I need this. I need her. I’ve been much better since she’s come into my life. She can be my cure. I know it like I know my own name.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” she says. I watch as Miss Shaw walks carefully to the door. She takes hold of the handle and then turns back. Her cheeks are pink. “You might want to give the cupcakes a skip.” She makes a face.
I laugh. This woman. “Did you poison my cupcakes, Miss Shaw?”
She half-smiles. “I was tempted to, but no. I’m just not sure they’ll be to your taste. They’re…they’re… Just don’t eat them.” She turns, her eyes on the box on my desk.
I can see she wants to fetch them, but she just might fall if she does. “Forget the cupcakes, Miss Shaw. You should go and sit down. Don’t hurt yourself.” I have my eyes on her heels for a moment, before looking up at her.
“You’re right.” She widens her eyes. “I love these shoes. I’m going to learn to walk in them, even if it kills me.”
“They just might.”
She smiles. It makes me feel good inside. It feels like maybe we can go back to how we were. I watch as Miss Shaw slowly walks out of my office and closes the door behind her. Then I pull the box over to me and open it. I take out a cupcake. It looks good. Both the cake and the frosting are scarlet. The frosting is a bright, fire-engine red. There are sprinkles on top in all the colors of the rainbow. I notice that they’re bigger than normal sprinkles. I give the cake a sniff.
It smells sweet and… I pick up something more there. I’m sure I know what’s in this. I smile and shake my head. Then I take a bite. Not a small one either. I dig in. A fucking explosion goes off in my mouth. I choke out a laugh. Miss Shaw is like no one I have ever met before.
22
The next day…
Ashley
“Here you go.” Candice puts a big glass of white wine down in front of me.
“Thank you.” I try to sound bright and breezy, like my normal self, but I fail.
Candice doesn’t seem to notice. “Dinner will be ready soon.” She looks at her watch.
She lives in an open plan apartment. I look over at her stove and see no pots and pans. Her oven is cold and dark.
“Is everything in the refrigerator waiting to be heated back up?” I know better, but I ask anyway. I like messing with her.
Candice gives me a mock dirty look. “You don’t want me cooking for you. I’m inclined to burn water. You know this! Even the most simple and mundane culinary tasks are beyond my grasp. I ordered in from the Indian takeout down the road. I did you a favor.”
“Sounds delicious.”
“We have some time.” She raises her brows and takes a sip of her wine. “So…” she begins.
“So…” I also take a sip of my wine, hoping she doesn’t try to delve too deeply into my new job. Into how things are going with my new boss.
“What is it like working for S.W Bolt. Is he wicked?” she giggles, taking another mouthful of wine.
Candice has no idea. “Not really. He’s pretty normal. You were right, I’ve gotten to know him a bit, and…he’s not my type at all,” I lie through my teeth.
Her eyebrows shoot up so quickly it’s actually funny. “What?” she pushes out. “That man is everyone’s type. He’s…he’s gorgeous to the point of it being obscene.”