#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

be enough. No, it’ll never be

back together with my ex. Not now, not

frantic, and it helps me shove thoughts

most nights, the rush doesn’t last

breast, and I cut it into strips. Part of

ingredients for the line cooks, and Karl is helping me with it tonight. I have him

lot slower than me,

who was setting things up in the dining room with him

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

ck tries to boss me around one

than I had

angry glance at

him.”

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

softened a bit, and passed a hand

just pis

arm. “Don’t sweat it. I promise

at that,” I say. Karl is faster with

but I figured he might

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

handling an unruly toddler.

wipes a stack of carrots off the

do what I

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

the many things I’ve been mulling over. I let my mind wander, and

that I fell asleep thinking about

do sometimes. Hell, I embarrassed myself in front of Karl

long ago.

Karl asks as he grabs another carrot. He really is

keep him out of everyone

head. There’s no way I’m sharing any of my worries with

him I couldn’t stop thinking about our old sex

him at all.

“Nothing interesting.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

“Don’t try to flirt with me, Karl. It

batting his eyelashes slightly.

chop the carrots. And hurry up; you’re

thing, grandma,” Karl

mouth turns up a little. I can tell he wants to smile, but he’s doing what he can

avoid it.

expression is pretty adorable on his face. I take for granted how often he smiles around

world doesn’t get to see that side of him. He has to be

must get

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

task. Maybe getting us alone

and Chloe’s out at the bar setting everything up.

the breakroom getting changed.

was staring,” I say. “I barely

too hard on his chiseled jaw and warm brown eyes. I know a lot of

but no one has eyes like Karl. If he cares about

the world with just one

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