Page 92 of Hold On Me

The little voice in my head likes to remind me exactly why I’m holed up in my office in a mood that could rival a raging bull, but I like to ignore that voice as often as I can. I mean, yes, I told her not to say anything back, but I didn’t tell her to not follow me and spend the night. To not try and speak to me. To not give what we had going a real go. And it doesn’t stop the foul mood from taking over me.

“Knock, knock. You okay?” Angie’s poker straight blonde hair comes into view before the rest of her, and I sigh a little. I’d hoped the first person to breach my peace would’ve been my Little One, but it looks like I’m getting my fellow Brit.

“I’m fine, Angie. What can I do for you?” My tone is curt, but it doesn’t deter her. She steps forward, closes the door, and takes a seat in front of my desk, forcing me to put down the document I’ve been trying to read for the past fifteen minutes without managing to get past the first paragraph before my thoughts meandered to Penelope.

“It’s wild we’re working on Boxing Day, isn’t it? Normally I’d be hitting up the sales on Oxford street with Edie, and yet I’m here instead.”

She’s rambling, which irritates me, but I don’t let it show, just nod my head at her.

“So, you and Pen? I was hoping you’d sort it out last night, but from her grumpy arse this morning and your frowny McFrowny face, I’m assuming you didn’t.”

“We’re fine, Angie. Don’t you have work to do?” The mention of Penenlope’s bad mood and my frown makes everything ten times worse, but she just smirks and leans back in her chair.

“I do, but I think this is more important. It was either me or Jenson, and I thought you deserved a break, so here I am.” Relief floods through me, and she must be able to see it written on my face, as she smiles and dips her head to me. “You’re welcome. Now talk.”

Even though I don’t want to spill my guts to Angie, there’s a small part of me that does. She’s her best friend. Maybe she can offer an insight I’ve not seen.

“There’s nothing to say, except she shouted at me for offering to help her and then let me walk away after I told her I loved her. What else am I meant to do?”

I throw my pen down on the desk and drop my head into my hands. I’m fucked. Truly fucked. Soft laughter breaks me out of my misery.

“You’re so dramatic.” My eyes meet with Angie’s cool blue ones and she raises her brow. “You know Penny has this bee inher bonnet about not needing anyone and refuses all help when she can. It’s not personal. She’s done it with her dad, the boys, even me. But rather than trying to railroad her and fix things for her, we give her the chance to fix them herself. And when she can't, that's when we help.

“Give her time to figure out what her next step is, stop trying to control it. I know she likes certain activities to be controlled…” She pauses and grins at me, and then laughs when I just smirk back. “You’re a legend, Ben. But listen, giving her a job and fixing her financial situation before she’s had a chance to come up with a solution herself isn’t something you can control. Not if you want her to stick around.”

She picks up the miniature football on my desk and starts to toss it in the air. “You told her you loved her, huh?”

Nodding my head, I breathe deeply. I’ve never had a sister, and I’m assuming with being accepted into the Brady clan it makes Angie my surrogate sister. And if I’m right—and what Jenson has told me about having Penelope in his life is accurate—she’s here to irritate, annoy, and help me through everything.

“She would’ve needed time to process that. Explains her grumpy arse.” She rolls her eyes, crosses her legs and continues to play with the football, throwing it between her hands in front of her face. The speed her hands move is exceptional.

“Your coordination skills and reflexes are good. Did you play sports when you were younger?”

She grins and meets my gaze. “Is that your way of telling me I’m good at handling balls?”

She’s caught me off guard, and the laughter barrels out of my chest. This woman is the perfect match for Jenson. “Fuck, Angie. I’m so glad I hired you.” She throws the ball over to me and I fumble it and laugh harder as it tumbles onto my desk.

“Meh, you’re not so good. I guess you’re better at handling otherassets.”

As I gather myself, she stands up, heads over to my drinks station, and starts to make herself a coffee.

“Your manners are atrocious. Mama B would be so upset with you. I’ve been here for more than five minutes and you haven’t offered me a beverage. Tut tut, Benny boy.” She clicks her tongue and browses through the coffee selection I have, her eyes lighting up when she finds a particular blend.

“Make me a cup of tea and I’ll get you an endless supply of that particular blend. It’s imported, expensive, and one sip will have you hooked.”

The hesitation is written all over her face. Her hand wavers, and I’m not sure if she’s going to put the coffee back, but after a second of deliberation, she reaches for another cup and starts to fix me a tea as well as her coffee too.

“This better be worth it. I haven’t made a cup of tea since I left England.”

“What?! Are you sure you’re British?”

She laughs as she pours the steaming water into my cup. “Yes.” She sticks her tongue out at me and then carries on. “I never drink tea. I only ever made it for Edie because, like you, she’s addicted to it.”

She walks over and places my drink in front of me and takes her seat, gripping her coffee so hard her knuckles turn white. She takes a sip and her eyes widen as the flavour hits her taste buds. “This is divine.” She takes another sip. “Does this have crack in it or something?”

Chuckling, I take a sip of my tea. “You make a good cup of tea. And no, all the ingredients are legal, just of a high quality. In the cupboard above the drinks station you’ll find an unopened bag. Take it.”

She squeals in excitement and takes another sip. We sit in silence for a couple of seconds and I take the time to really appreciate Angie. Before she came in here, I was wallowing inmisery. And now, everything feels a little lighter. No wonder Jenson is crazy about her.

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