Page 65 of One Sweet Lie

My brain short-circuited at the sight of him in a black V-neck T-shirt and grey sweatpants.

“Good evening, Miss Hawthorne,” he said, his voice deep.

I didn’t answer.

“You left something behind at my house.”

He held out an envelope, but I didn’t move to take it.

“Do you have a minute?” he asked.

“I’m in the middle of job searching, so not really.” I paused. “Then again, is there a code word that billionaire overlords use in the descriptions, so I can make sure my next boss isn’t an asshole?”

He had the audacity to smile.

My heart instantly switched sides with my mind, beating hard and fast like this bastard hadn’t just fired all of us.

“I want to talk to you about what happened earlier,” he said, “so I need to come inside.”

“There’s nowhere for you to sit.”

“I’m asking you nicely.”

“No, you’redemandingnicely.” I crossed my arms. “I’m no longer your employee, which means you’re officially a stranger, so ask me and I’ll consider it.”

He stood on my steps without saying a word, waiting for me to fold.

“Okay, suit yourself.” I started to shut the door, but he wedged his foot between the frame and grabbed my hand, pulling me inside my own place.

“Like I was saying—” He shut the door. “We need to talk.”

“About what?”

“A lot of things.”

My tea kettle suddenly whistled from the stove.

“Hold that thought.” I rushed to the kitchen and turned off the flame.

When I returned to the living room, he was staring at the human-sized dog bed in the middle of my floor.

“I wasn’t kidding about not having a place for you to sit,” I said. “I’m hoping to buy furniture in a few weeks. Well, if my new job pays enough, anyway.”

“Understandable.” He set the envelope on top of a book stack. “I just wanted to make sure you received payment for the hours you’ve worked. I’d also like for you to come back to me.”

“Toyour kids, you mean.”

“That’s what I said.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Then pretend like it is.”

“I’ll pass.” I swallowed. “I don’t see why I should do that. If you don’t find a way to fire me again, you’ll continue treating me like shit.”

“I do not treat you like shit, Harlow.”

“You barely acknowledge me, only give orders, and whenever we’re in the same room, you go out of your way to avoid me.”

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