Page 42 of Beyond the Hate

At the mention of my glasses, I slide them up my nose. “We weren’t discussing my glasses.”

Eli feigns studying me. “She’s cute either way but with the glasses she’s got the whole nerdy thing going on.”

I scowl. “Nerdy thing?”

“You know mad scientist ready to overtake the world.”

“Mad scientist?”

Chloe giggles. “We always did claim our little nerd would conquer the world.”

“I’m not a nerd,” I grumble.

“Too bad because the glasses sell the whole nerd look, Mr. Magoo,” Eli says and I see red.

I jump to my feet and fist my hands on my hips. “Who do you think you are? Making fun of someone with glasses.”

He holds up his hands and backs away. “I didn’t mean…”

“I didn’t mean,” I mimic. “I am so tired of people saying they didn’t mean anything when they call me a nerd or make fun of my glasses. I need glasses to see. What’s funny about being visually impaired? Nothing I tell you.”

I stomp away.

“I’m sorry,” Eli shouts after me.

I ignore him. I was wrong. Eli is an asshole.

Chapter 14

“Lesson learned. Never piss anyone off who knows how to use a chemistry set.” ~ Eli

Eli

I frown when I notice Paisley’s office light on as I park atBuccaneer’s Whiskey.I want to go to her. Explain I wasn’t making fun of her. I was teasing her. It was meant to be light-hearted and fun. Plus, she’s adorable when she’s flustered. I didn’t realize her wearing glasses was a trigger for her.

With a sigh, I exit my car and walk to the entrance. I won’t be bringing Paisley a coffee this morning. I should probably ask my mom the best way a man can apologize. She’ll know. She recently remarried and her new husband screwed things up left and right before he finally figured it out.

I unlock the doors to the building and make my way to my office; switching on lights as I go. I set my briefcase down before shrugging out of my suit jacket. Paisley’s right. It’s entirely too hot to wear a suit this time of year, but I have a conference call with some potential investors inApparootoday.

I settle behind my desk and switch on my computer. While I wait for it to warm up, I open my drawer to get my agenda. But when I pull on the drawer, it doesn’t move. I pull harder but it still doesn’t budge. I grunt before yanking on it.

There’s a click and a hiss before the drawer flies open and a cloud of red smoke appears. I cough as I wave the cloud away.

I jump to my feet when I notice the ‘cloud’ is now staining my fingers red. “What the hell?” I glance down at my suit. It now resembles a Jackson Pollock painting with splatters of paint on it.

I rip off my vest but the damage is already done. My vest and pants are covered in red.

Someone claps from the doorway. “This worked out better than I envisioned,” Paisley says before pivoting away.

I chase after her. “What the hell, Paisley? You ruined my suit.”

She rolls her eyes. “Don’t be so melodramatic. It’ll wash out.”

“I have an investor meeting today.”

She stills. “There was nothing on your agenda about an investor meeting.”

“Because it doesn’t involve the distillery.”

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