#Chapter 29: The Secretary
Abby

I get off at my stop and walk over to the restaurant. Just my luck. Karl is already standing outside with

my daily coffee in hand.

I take it from him, unable to meet his gaze. Partly from anger, partly from embarrassment. If he only

knew what I dreamed of last night. Knowing him, he’d probably love it. Then he’d suggest we make it

reality. And honestly, after my failed attempt with Adam last night, I’m not sure if I would refuse.

“I hate him,” I think to myself, indiscernibly shaking my head slightly and avoiding his gaze. “Don’t even

think about it. It was just a w et dre am, and nothing else. Those dreams can happen with anybody.”

Almost as though he’s reading my mind, Karl gives me a curious look, and I feel warmth rush to my

cheeks. His hair is the same as it was then, and the wind blows long strands of it down across his

forehead. I can almost see my fingers gripping on to it. The corner of his mouth twitches, but he doesn’t

smile.

“You, okay?” he asks. I force myself to look away.

“Fine,” I snap, letting the door fall shut behind me. He puts out a hand to stop it and follows me further

into the restaurant.

“You sure? You’re acting a little funny.”

“I said I’m fine.”

I stomp across the dining room and shove my way into the kitchen. I can hear him trailing after me, but

he keeps his distance, thank G od.

I close my office door and sink into my chair. What has gotten into me? One s tupid dream, and now I’m

embarrassed to talk to him. What am I, a twelve-year-old girl? He’s my ex-husband, and he hurt me.

Badly. He’s an as s hole. A manipulator. A male chauvinist. He’s… s exy. He knows me. He’s good in

bed.

I have to shake my head again to dispel the thoughts. Now isn’t the time to be giggling like an idiot

because I had one sex dream about him. And besides, I’m probably just misremembering what sex

with him was really like. It couldn’t have been that good… right?

Right. He’s awful.

I repeat it over and over until I’ve managed to shove the dream from my mind. I will not let my

subconscious trick me into letting him off the h ook. Good in bed or not, he’s got some serious groveling

enough. No, it’ll never be enough. I’m

back together with my ex. Not

is especially frantic, and it helps me shove thoughts

like most nights, the rush

I cut it into strips. Part

cooks, and Karl is helping

lot slower than me, he’s doing an

was setting things

Karl just can’t stop himself from ordering Ethan around, even

to boss me around one more time…”

than I

shooting an angry glance at Karl’s back

him.”

Ethan’s voice was harsher than I expected, and seemingly harsher than he

a bit, and passed a hand over his weary

just pis

squeezing Ethan’s arm. “Don’t sweat it. I promise Karl won’t be a

at that,” I say. Karl is faster with the knife now

have him mopping floors and setting tables, but I figured he

a break. It’s my turn to take Karl off of their hands, like a

handling an unruly toddler.

me a grin. He wipes a stack of carrots off the end of the knife

do

help my answering grin. Last night’s debacle with Adam, and my inability

about Karl, is one of the many things I’ve

in. It’s not fair to Adam that I fell asleep thinking about Karl and not him. Adam

bit too drunk. We all do sometimes. Hell,

long ago.

grabs another carrot.

here to keep him out of

no way I’m sharing any of

sex life. As

him at all.

“Nothing interesting.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

try to flirt with me, Karl. It won’t do you

eyelashes

and chop the carrots. And hurry up; you’re slower than

grandma,” Karl

corner of his mouth turns up a little. I can tell he wants to

avoid it.

pretty adorable on his face. I take

see that side of him. He has to

must

you’re the one who’s staring,” he says.

Maybe getting us alone

the kitchen a while ago, and Chloe’s out at the bar setting everything up. A few of

the breakroom getting changed.

just looked like I was staring,” I

warm brown eyes. I know a lot of people

Karl. If he cares about you, he can make you feel

the world with

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