Page 28 of A Thin Line

When I sat down opposite Whittier, he looked up from the planner he’d been studying. “Eat up. You’ll be working hard today, so you’ll need your strength.”

As much as I wanted to chastise him for his decadent breakfast, my mind flashed on the lack of a phone charger, and I decided I needed to play neutral—if not nice. Simply nodding, I waited for Edna to bring my plate. “Thank you so much.”

“It’s my pleasure. Let me know if you need anything else.”

She’d put way too much food on my plate—but maybe I could eat it all. With the smells wafting into my nose, I began feeling ravenous. Picking up my fork, I speared two slices of pineapple off the plate between Whittier and me and placed them on my plate. I glanced up at him, his suit jacket draped over the back of the chair, and my heart began thudding again. There was no denying, seeing him in just his light-blue button-down shirt and tie, that the man worked out. My mouth was salivating, not because of breakfast, and that made me angry and embarrassed. I instead focused on the gold cufflinks that I knew must have cost more than my dad’s monthly mortgage payment.

That was revolting—and that was what I needed to focus on whenever my loins tried to trump my brain. Finally, once I felt in control again, I said, “You mentioned last night that I should let you know if I needed anything.”

He looked up again from his planner. “Yes.”

“I, uh…forgot my phone charger.”

“Edna, when you go shopping today, would you buy whatever it is Ms. Miller needs?”

“Of course.”

Although I was grateful he wasn’t gloating, I was angry that I’d even had to ask. To placate myself, I took a bite of the pineapple. It was so sweet and juicy, reminding me that this was the first I’d enjoyed this fruit since last summer. Then I took a bite of every different item on my plate, concluding that Edna was skilled at her job. Because every bite I took tasted delicious, I knew I’d have to be careful around here or I’d gain weight quickly.

Whittier closed his planner, cutting a piece of steak. “It’s a good thing you dressed like you’re ready to work in the field. Would you like to hear what your tasks are today?”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

“I wouldn’t let you work in my office looking like that.”

That didn’t sound so bad. “Did you want me to work in your office?”

“With your track record? I wouldn’t let you any closer to my office than a restraining order would allow.”

I felt my face turn warm with anger once again, because his words were a reminder that he believed I was last night’s saboteur—but I kept my mouth shut. I knew there would be one non-verbal way I could defy him…and I could make a big show of it to boot. I pushed my plate away from me until it clinked against the platter of pineapple. Then I sat back against the chair and glared.

“Suit yourself. I won’t force you to eat—but you’ll be working hard today. And if you don’t do a good job, you’ll repeat it all tomorrow.”

I raised my right eyebrow—but still managed to be silent.

Whittier returned to his food and kept speaking. “Edna will show you your tasks today and she will report to me tonight to tell me how you’ve done. If you think you have it bad right now, try pushing your luck and see what happens.”

Oh, I planned to.

And he must have sensed that.

“Remember when I told you last night that I’m not a heartless bastard? I lied. And if you want to find out just how ruthless I can be, keep up your little acts of defiance—but I’m pretty sure you want what’s best for your father.”

That hit me right where it hurt—and he knew it. All the hot air that had been bubbling up inside me deflated as if he’d stuck a pin in me.

Still…he couldn’t force me to eat and I would not.

Without warning, he stood. He picked up his coffee cup and drained it before taking his planner off the table. “If she doesn’t eat her breakfast, feed it to her for lunch, Edna. I’ll call later for an update.”

With that, he strode out of the kitchen.

He really was a bastard.

After only being around him less than twenty-four hours, I’d confirmed that. I just needed to find a way to survive this chapter of my life.

Chapter 10

Soon, Edna was at the table, picking up Whittier’s dirty dishes. “Go ahead and eat, dear.”

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