Page 6 of Switched

Why wouldn’t she be stunned?

She has no idea I was dating someone. Partly because I was too afraid to label our relationship out loud, and partly because I knew, deep down, my closest workmate would have told me the guy was no good for me by the second time he pressed pause on us.

I shake my head in answer to her question, but I heave a little more after that, still feeling queasy even though my stomach’s totally empty.

“Are you getting sick? You should go home and curl up in bed.”

She rubs my back lightly, and that simple touch helps so much.

My shakes slow to a stop, and I can take a breath without feeling the need to double over.

“Thanks,” I murmur. “Maybe I should do that.”

The door opens as I’m putting the trash can back down and straightening back up in my seat.

Patrick raises an eyebrow at me. “Everything okay in here? I heard … something.”

Nothing’s okay right now, but I can’t tell him that.

That’s okay, because my friend and officemate is in full Momma-Bear mode, and I know she’s going to answer for me before she even opens her mouth.

“Everything’s fine, asshole.” Jules scowls at him. “Why don’t you mind your own bees and queues?”

My lips twitch lightly at her mixed metaphor. It’s a weak expression, but I’m glad I can find something to smile about.

She looks at me and shakes her head. “Can you believe this guy?”

“Hey!” Patrick protests, holding his hands up. “I was only asking out of concern.”

“Sure you were,” Jules mutters. “As if we don’t know what you really barged in here for.”

He looks thoroughly insulted, but he drops his too-curious eyes when I meet his gaze.

She’s not wrong. He knows Divina just pulled me into her office.

It would be weird if he wasn’t wondering why puking sounds were coming from mine the second I got back from speaking to our boss. Still, he’s a rival, and I don’t owe him answers, especially while I’m freaking out over how I’m going to manage to get through the impossible task Divina just set me.

“I’m leaving,” Patrick assures us, as he puts his hands down and turns on his heel.

He bumps awkwardly into the door, making Jules snort, and then he’s gone, and we’re alone again.

“Go home,” Jules tells me. “Get some rest.”

I nod. Divina told me to finish up anything I needed to and leave.

Lucky for me, I’m up to date with everything.

Well, almost.

“Can you proof the article I saved to the drive yesterday afternoon?” I ask Jules. “That’s all I need to do today. Divina’s given me a couple days off because I’ll be working all weekend.”

“No problem,” Jules tells me, before she wheels her chair back over to her desk. “I’m on it.”

I get to my feet and gather up my jacket and purse.

“If anyone needs me …” I start.

“If anyone needs you, they can send an email, and you can get back to them when you’re on the clock,” she reminds me. “You’ve earned a break. Clearly, Divina knows that. Take it.”

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