Page 13 of Cold as (N)ice

Items you COOK that get hot.

Oh.

But thank you for the laugh – I needed it.

Are you okay?

Driving.

She sent the simple, terse text message to blow him off because they weren’t friends, and it was a huge mistake to feel an attraction to your boss.Hello?– she didn’t need to feel attracted toanyoneright now. The last time she was attracted to a person, it was her ex-husband – and he’d left her with a child.

Twice.

She cursed loudly because she could, needing to get it out of her system in an attempt to make her feel better. It didn’t work. Nope, she felt pretty pathetic right now. Used, thrown away, not worthy of love – but then again, was Eric even capable? – all of that, and she was beyond frustrated that her son was being picked on.

Yeah, all in all, it was a pretty craptacular start to the morning.

Ten minutes later, her morning was obviously starting off with a bang that could only go up from here. Dropping off Stephen, she had pulled out of the parking lot, only to have her phone ring.

Barrett –again.

“What do you need, Barrett?”

“Bad time?”

“So far this morning, it’s gone from bad to worse – toworser– to the absoluteworstest– and yes, those are made-up words, and I suggest if you want me to keep showing your house with pretty things and cooking meals, that you not comment on it. Now, what particular item of choice are we texting about now? Is the plunger pretty? The trash can pedal a work of art? If you flip the switch next to the sink, that whirring noise is the garbage disposal…” and her voice trailed off as she realized that she was currently unloading all of her frustration and venom on her boss – and she was going to need that money. “I’m sorry, Barrett.”

“Bad morning?”

“Terrible if you want to know the truth.”

“Do you need to talk?”

“I need chocolate, caffeine, and to clobber a child…”

“WHAT?”

“I’m kidding,” she muttered, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I have a sick sense of humor and would never do it. Stephen is a gem, a saint; it’s theotherlittle turds at his school that pick on Stephen for being deaf that I would like to put in a corner while I talk to their parents about their lack of sensitivity to children with special needs.”

“What school does he go to?” and there was a protective growl to Barrett’s voice that made something quiver within her stomach.

No! Bad girly-parts! Bad! Bad! No quivering! No playing nice with the boss man!She thought wretchedly about that pregnancy test, flashing before her eyes once more.

“Don’t worry about it,” she quickly interjected, changing the subject. “I’m just mad about a few things, and you shouldn’t have to listen to it. Now, about the new trash can? Did you see it?”

“The trash can pedal is a work of art,” Barrett chuckled and she felt something break inside of her as she sniffed back tears. “Hey, look, I know we have a weird work-thing going right now, but I would still like to consider you a friend – and Stephen. You get to see the other side of me and haven’t run yet. Now, I have to pay you to stick around…”

“The payispretty nice,” She laughed tearfully, needing something to perk her up.

“I’ll make the coffee before I head out to practice,” he offered gently. “Try to relax, maybe try some retail therapy, and I’ll order in dinner.”

“I had a roast thawed out and…”

“I’ll order in so you can take it easy, Irene.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

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