Page 377 of Hate Mates

“You still haven’t answered me about the woman standing there pretending like she’s not paying attention to us!” Mel shouted.

“She’s my fucking assistant! You know, the person that I had to have because you decided you were too good for me. So now I’m stuck with some stranger handling my life.”

I wanted to say something in my defense, but I didn’t. Iwasa stranger to him. Two months on the job and I’m still a stranger.

She shook her head, “I’m not getting into this Jason. I’m right now concerned with this woman walking into your house unannounced. What if Harper was here?”

“Harper shouldn’t be here during the week. What part of that do you not understand?” He huffed, rubbing the bridge between his eyes. “And if shewashere, she would know who Sage is.”

“Harper’s school is slightly closer to here than home, so she may show up during the week for laundry or something.”

“You know, Harper and I actually have a good relationship. She can easily text me if she’s going to show up. Now, kindly get the hell out before I have you removed from the property. And if youevershow up here again unannounced I will have you arrested for trespassing.”

She huffed, mumbled and stormed through the house and out the front door where I could hear a few distanced clicks from the press.

“Just fucking great,” he signed peering out the curtains.

“Just ignore her, I already have a locksmith coming out today to take care of the locks. And you don’t have any filming this morning, so you are good. Go take a shower, I’ll make you coffee even though I know you can do it yourself. It’s been a stressful way to wake up.”

He let out a breath, “thanks.”

I nodded and watched him walk away. It wasn’t until now that I realized he was shirtless. My eyes stared after him as he shuffled back down the hallway toward the bedrooms.

Stop.I said to myself as I put down the stuff I had in my arms just as my phone began to buzz.

“I’m on my way, I was on the other side of town and when I called the office to see if someone else could take my stuff, I had to tell them why. When they heard who, they pretty much threatened to clear the rest of my day if I didn’t make time right away.”

“I’m sorry. There’s just been a lot happening here. I really do appreciate you getting to this so fast. With him, it’s kind of always an emergency type thing.”

“Got it, park out front?”

“No, come around back. Text me when you get here, and I’ll let you in.”

“Will do.”

Today was already a cluster from hell. I hated it. The press was a completely different story. I guess the word had gotten out quickly that Jason’s ex-wife was here, and when exes are together that generally means drama. I knew more would be showing up even though she’s gone now. They wanted the scoop, and they wanted to see what else would happen. My stomach twisted at the thought of having to drive through that at the end of the day. I prayed they would be gone by then.

Jason arrived in the office almost half an hour later with a coffee in his hands.

My phone buzzed just as he walked into the office.

“I’ll be right back, the locksmith is here,” I said to him, excusing myself and walking to the back door.

“Good morning ma’am, I’m here to work on the locks,” Oliver said in his most professional voice he could muster.

I laughed, “hello Oliver. Thanks again for this. Also, you don’t have to act like that.”

“Nonsense. He’s Jason Baxter. There is no way I’m coming in here acting anythingbutprofessional.”

“Alright, suit yourself. Back door, side door and front door all need changed.”

“Understood, if you need me, holler!” He said walking around the house to inspect the locks.

I made my way back to Jason’s office where he was shouting into his phone.

“I don’t give a damn! When my ex-wife asks for anything that has to do with me, I need it approved first by either myself or my new assistant!”

I flopped down into a chair and flipped through his schedule over the next couple of weeks. Filming, a few dinners, and just a few events to promote his career.

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