Page 29 of Unwrapped

“The boss was pleasant all day today. He even smiled on more than one occasion, and for whatever reason, he’s been going out of his way to make conversation with me of all people. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was trying to be friendly toward me.”

“What’s wrong with that, Mom? Maybe it’s time you let go of this grudge.” I try to catch my father’s eye, but he’s looking down at his plate.

“Because I don’t trust him, baby girl. Not one bit. Why on earth would he suddenly want to be nice to me?”

My father lets out a snort. “It’s not what’s gotten inside him, woman. It’s whathe’sgotten inside, or who.”

I start to cough, and mom absentmindedly taps me on my back. “Which brings me to my next point,” she says.

“Why are we always talking about this man?” my dad asks. “The poor sap’s ears are probably always ringing.”

Mom ignores him and continues. “I was in the kitchen, and his phone rang. He had set it on the table.” She puts a forkful of food in her mouth, most likely for dramatic effect. Daddy looks at me, smiles, and rolls his eyes. Mom notices and tries to pinch him, but he blocks her hand.

As my mother’s words sink in, I start to cough again, because I know who called Nick during lunch.

“Get on with it, woman,” he says.

“The phone vibrates across the counter, and I couldn’t help myself. I had to look.”

“Of course, you did,” Daddy says.

“And the name Pretty Girl flashed across his screen.” She lets out a loud shriek at that announcement. “I don’t know whether to be happy, feel sorry for her, or track her down and warn the poor girl. Instead of answering the phone right away, he looks at me like a deer in headlights. Finally, he picks up the phone and runs out of there like the devil himself was after him, which is impossible since he is, in fact, the devil.”

She leans back in her chair and claps her hands once, as if her statement was a big revelation.

“Why would you feel sorry for this woman?” Daddy asks. “Sounds like the man done lost his damn mind over the woman, whoever she is, if he has her in his phone as Pretty Girl.”

I clear my throat loudly and take several sips of my ice water as I think of a way to change the subject. Just as I’m about to open my mouth and say something, my phone buzzes again.

I tune my mother out and check my texts. I choke on my laughter when I see a picture of Nick doing an exaggerated pout.

Me: My poor, rich baby.

I add a smile emoji at the end.

Nick: I need my pretty girl

Me: You’ll have me tomorrow. Let me make you dinner for a change.

“Maybe Iwillfind this woman and warn her.” My mother taps me on the shoulder. “Right, baby girl?”

“Woman,” my father begins, “leave him alone. If the man is getting some, he’ll be happier, and that will make things better for you at work. Leave it be.”

Irritated by my mother’s judgment, I lose my patience.

“What exactly did the man do to you, Mom? I met him and he’s not the devil you described.”

My father nods in agreement. “Don’t forget that nice Christmas bonus you got. And you just admitted a few minutes ago the man is trying to be nicer, which he doesn’t have to do, Mona. He’s the boss while Joe is out.”

“He offended me on his first day. He was rude and talked down to me. I went out of my way to decorate his office to make him feel welcome, and he destroyed my hard work. How can you all forget?” I try not to roll my eyes, but my dad catches me and winks. “He essentially called me a thief, and he broke the mug my baby boy made for me. I’ve had that mug for over two decades and in a few seconds, he destroys it. I think he did it on purpose.” She taps on the table with two fingers while she nods.

“Mom, he did not. He had the books audited. That’s it. And you have nothing to hide, so what’s the issue? You told us he apologized for the mug incident. It was an accident.”

“You two never take my side.” My dad grunts and shifts in his seat. That’s mom’s typical accusation whenever we don’t agree with her. “I know him better than the two of you. Trust me. He’s the devil, and I will never like that man.”

CHAPTER 20

NICK

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