Page 79 of When The Rain Falls

Rebecca lowers the box on Ann’s desk and grows serious. “Finn, is this about the interview?” she asks.

“What interview?”

“Preston Flaherty’s interview. Didn’t you get the message from your lawyer?”

When Rebecca sees the confusion on my face, we both turn slowly to Jane.

Jane takes a bite of a large maple donut and shrugs. “Hey, Finn, your lawyer called. Some dude named Presto Farty wants to interview you this week.”

“Jane,” I growl at her. “Put the fucking donut down,” I command. Jane ignores me and takes a slow, deliberate bite with a rebellious glint in her eyes. I turn to Rebecca. “Rebecca, tell Jane to put the fucking donut down.”

“Finn, why?” Rebecca asks. It’s like she’s completely oblivious to the mild threat of mutiny hanging in the air.

“Because,” I explain, setting my hands on my hips. “No donuts until she can fucking do her job. We need to run a tighter ship, Rebecca.” Rebecca looks at me like I’m growing a third head and I realize I’m not going to win this one. “You know what? Fuck it,” I mutter as I stomp down towards my office.

“Twenty-six,” Rebecca sighs.

“Have a wonderful day, sunshine,” Jane shouts to my back.

“Don’t tell me what to fucking do,” I yell back at her.

“Twenty-seven,” Jane says.

“Maybe he’s on a diet. That explains why he refused a donut. You know how much he loves the chocolate ones with the sprinkles.”

I slam my door and cut off the rest of their conversation.

Goddammit. Idolike chocolate donuts. With sprinkles.

But I can’t eat a fucking donut when my stomach is twirling like a fucking washing machine on spin cycle. I haven’t been able to eat anything all day, in fact. I can’t even stomach coffee. My insides are absolutely wrecked.

27SNACK MOM

AIMEE

Tate

You never told me about the date with the motorcycle guy.

Aimee

It was bad news. Forget him. He’s in the past.

Tate

Ok, then what about the hot neighbor? Is he biting yet?

Aimee

Tate.

Aimee

He’s a monster.

Tate

A monster in bed? Or just a monster period?

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