Page 100 of My Ruthless Neighbor

Raleigh winks. “Anytime.” Then he angles his hand that’s gripping the phone upward. “Everybody, say cheese!”

“Cheese!”

Snap, snap.

???

I am about to shoot the dart at the board when there’s a knock at my office door.

I turn to see Raleigh entering with his brows pulled together. “Um… why does your assistant looks like he’s about to cry?” He points the door at his back with his thumb. Then tilts his head. “And why are you playing darts in the middle of the day?”

“He got a warning because he lied to me about a report I asked him to email me. He forgot to do it. Instead of telling me the truth, he lied.” I throw the dart, but it misses the bullseye, pissing me off. “And I can play darts whenever I want.”

“Is something bothering you?”

Using another dart, I aim. “No. Why do you ask?”

And missed again. Tossing the remaining two haphazardly on the desk, I face him when he doesn’t say anything.

“Because you throw darts only when you are frustrated.” He states as if it’s obvious. Then, “Is this about Chad?”

I frown. “No. What made you think that?”

He shrugs. “Um… because he lied to you?”

“Ah. Well, he got a stern warning for that.” I take a seat behind my desk.

“And that’s it?” He plants his palms on my desk.

“Yes,” I reply as I read a work email on my laptop.

“Hmm.” His voice is doused in suspicion. It makes me stop what I am doing and look up.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Raleigh,” I warn.

“It’s weird, okay?”

“What is?” I ask, perplexed.

“You not firing Chad.”

“He was remorseful for his actions and he apologized.”

“You’ve fired people without giving them a chance to explain in the past.”

“Your point?”

“What changed?” He asks curiously.

I clear my throat. “You are thinking too much. Why are you here?”

That distracts him. “Oh, yes. I am here to ask for ten minutes of your time.”

“All right.” I snap my laptop shut. “What’s up?”

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