Page 44 of The Wrong Promise

Piper orders our beverages and then returns to the table. “So what happened?”

I shrug a shoulder, not knowing how to explain our fake relationship fight. “He was pissed that I didn’t leave with him yesterday morning, and it escalated last night.”

“Ugh, no one likes a bossy control freak, except…” she cleans closer, “… I find it focking sexy in bed.” I smile at the way she cusses in her accent. It doesn’t stop me from imagining Jobe in bed, telling me what to do.

Taking a deep breath, I consider that maybe we’re not meant to be. Last night, I told him that he wouldn’t get a second chance when it was me who didn’t get a second chance.

“Ladies,” George says as he takes a seat beside Piper. He’s wearing a trendy tie with his shirt in an array of pastelcolors. “I come with news. Today’s the big announcement. What else will be revealed?”

“Then we must go,” Piper adds. “I need to sort my emails before the morning meeting.”

We head across the road to our office block and take the elevator to the third floor. The staff is talking amongst themselves as we stride past the rows of office cubicles to get to ours.

“Hey.” Anna stands from behind her table and joins us. “Did you hear?”

“Hear what?” Piper asks as she unpacks her bag onto her table.

“About the merger. It’s happening this week. We are supposed to be meeting the new CEO today.”

“Oh. Is this a surprise to everyone?” I ask in curiosity.

“Yes,” Anna emphasizes. “Everyone is talking about our jobs and redundancies or a company shake-up. I spoke to Carissa from IT on the entire train ride about what the tech team are saying.”

“What are they saying?” Piper folds her arms.

Tim enters the room and remains at the front, where we can all see him. “Can I have everyone’s attention?” Everyone takes a seat behind their desks, and the room falls into silence. An anxious anticipation of what comes next fills the air. “While some of you are aware of the announcement today, unfortunately it will have to wait another week or two as there has been a setback, and the new Executive Director of the Board could not make today’s meeting. While many of you have questions, please send them in an email. Otherwise, today is work as usual. And please don’t start any rumors to make your coworkers unsettled. If you want answers, send your questions my way. When I know more, then you’ll be the first to know. We’ll speak more about it in the weekly meeting.”

“I don’t think anyone will lose their job,” I whisper to Piper. “The company cannot afford to have unfair dismissal law cases during a merger.”

Piper smiles at me. “Right. I already promised myself I wasn’t going to stress about it.”

“Changing the topic. Are you still looking for a roomie?”

12

JOBE

My mother holdsme by the shoulders as she studies my face.

“You have dark rings around your eyes, darling. You need to get more sleep.”

“Sacrificing sleep is part of the job, as you know,” I murmur before I kiss her cheek.

“You sound like your brother.” Fine lines crease around her blue eyes. She studies me a moment longer. “Please don’t make the same mistake as him.”

I smile at Mom. “Get married and have kids? No chance of that.” It’s not what she implied, but there is no point in causing her worry. My father worked long hours, traveled around the world, and often left her alone with us four kids for weeks at a time. She hated that Franklin followed in his footsteps. It’s why she admires Penny. She is the only person to convince him to slow down.

She places a hand on my cheek. “Don’t joke about things you have no control over.”

I chuckle as though she told a joke. “Trust me. I have complete control over that, and it’s not on my radar.”

Franklin lands a hand on my back. “Never say never, especially to our mother. Now, can I fix you a drink?”

“Nothing I’d love more. It’s been a week.”

“Did you see Zara?” he asks. “You know Penny’s going to ask.”

“Yeah, I caught up with her. She’s doing fine. Penny doesn’t need to worry.”

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