Page 5 of Broken Love

even though he didn’t hear it. Asshole.

Tan: Shut the fuck up asshole.

Me: Fine. Hire her but the first time she fucks up she’s fired.

As soon as I hit send, I picture the shit-eating grin on his face. Tanner loves nothing more than getting his own way.

CHAPTER 2

Windsor

I’m barely in the door of my condo when my cell phone starts ringing inside my purse. There’s probably no hope of finding the device before the voicemail turns on in the unwieldy bag, so I dump it upside down on the floor, scattering the contents in every direction. I grab it as it skims along the hardwood and watch as my lipstick slides under the sofa.

“Hello?” I begin shoving everything back inside, then realize who it is.

“Miss James? This is Tanner Graham. Is now a good time to talk?”

I’m momentarily frozen before I respond. “Yes, of course, Mr. Graham.”

His warm, masculine chuckle sends a shiver down my spine. “Call me Tanner, please. I was hoping that we could take you to dinner tonight. My brother doesn’t always make the best first impressions, and I’d like to change that.”

“Dinner?” I squeak as I reach under the sofa for my wayward lipstick.

“Yes. You can say no if you’d like. It would have no bearing on hiring you. Frankly, as far as I’m concerned, the job is yours.”

“But your brother doesn’t agree?” The question pops out with a hint of frustration. I was not expecting to be attracted to one of these men, never mind both of them. I was left feeling unbalanced after the interview.

“Uh.” There’s a pause, which tells me he might be about to lie. “Not exactly. He’s a tough nut to crack.”

“I see.” I don’t, not really.

“I’d bring your contract with me. We could discuss any objections you might have. Go over expectations, discuss pay and vacations.” He sounds almost hopeful.

Checking my watch, it’s nearly dinnertime, and the rain hasn’t let up. The idea of getting ready again fills me with dread. “Any chance we could do this tomorrow evening instead?”

“Tomorrow would be fine. I’ll have a car pick you up at six.”

“You don’t have to do that. The subway works just as well.”

“A car will be there at six,” he insists, so I relent.

“Thank you, Mr. Graham. I’ll see you then.”

“Tanner. See you tomorrow, Windsor.” He hangs up before I can say anything else.

“Well, now what?” I mutter towards the one lone plant in my apartment. Mom got it before she went into hospice, and despite knowing I’ll eventually kill it, I can’t help but feel like she’s with me while I have it.

“Dinner.”

My stomach growls.

Spinning back around, my heart pounds furiously in my chest. Fear lurches up my throat and clenches it closed, stifling the scream I’m sure would have surfaced.

“Joe, you scared me to death. What are you doing here?” My neighbor glances around the room before settling back on me.

“I heard a crash.” His voice is monotone as he steps inside uninvited.

“Sorry, just dumped my purse to get my phone out.” I’m a little out of my comfort zone here. He’s always been odd, a little more friendly than I’d like, but he’s never entered my space before.

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