Page 77 of Wine & Whiskey
“That’s so crazy. You’d think he’d want money or sex.”
Maybe that’s what’s coming next. She pushes the idea out of her head. “Please, Carrie. Don’t say that.”
“Sorry, but it’s weird.” Carrie shakes her head. “You’re going to have to tell Nick. Tonight, when he comes home. Just tell him Spencer gives you the creeps, and you want him fired. He’ll do it.”
“I can’t. He’ll want to know what Spencer did to make me want him gone.”
“Tell him he needs to concentrate on school. His grades are bad from working so much. He can’t be mad about that.”
Spreading her fingers, Shae rubs her hands across the comforter. It won’t be easy to convince Nick why she wants Spencer to leave without him becoming furious. “I don’t know.”
“It will work. You have to tell him.”
“I’ll try.”
“Until then, let’s keep you busy and away from Spencer. Maybe we can go for a run.”
Shae almost whimpers at the idea of being outside. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“Good. Afterward, we’ll go get you some new bedding.”
She nods and grasps Carrie’s hand. The first feeling of optimism she’s had all morning. “I want to go home too. There’s something I need to get.”
“Okay, let’s go find Max.”
* * *
“Janice ordered you some lunch.” Carter slides a Styrofoam container across Nick’s desk before plopping down in the chair across from him.
Nick stifles a yawn as he stretches his arms over his head. Maybe some food will give him the boost he needs to get through the rest of the afternoon. Only one more conference call, and he can go home to the person who really improves his mood. With a flick of his finger, the lid pops open and the aroma of roast beef and horseradish fills his office. “She’s the best secretary I’ve ever had.”
“And the oldest. Damn, why don’t you let the poor woman retire?”
Nick unscrews the lid on his water and takes a long drink. “I’m not stopping her. She says she likes it, so as long as she wants it, the job is hers.”
“You’re such a soft ass with women.”
“Don’t go there, or I’ll finish what I started.”
Carter gingerly rubs his nose. “Believe me, I won’t. You should see the stares I’ve been getting. My face looks like a fucking freak show.”
Tapping a file on his desk with the back of his hand, Nick swallows down his bite. “Do you have that update on the Lefler-McMillan merger I wanted?”
“Why yes, I am feeling better. Thank you for your concern. The swelling should be gone in about four to six weeks.”
Nick shrugs his shoulders. Carter knows better than to expect any sympathy from him after what he did. “Don’t fuck with me when it comes to Shae. Then, you won’t have to worry about ruining your pretty-boy looks.”
“At least she actually cared and tried to help me.”
“Which you didn’t deserve.”
“I know.” Carter shakes his head, his brow furrowed. “I have to admit, it shocked me. I guess I was wrong about her.”
Nick nods at Carter’s version of an apology. Shae’s sweet nature affects him too. “Just proves how good-hearted she is, even though she doesn’t always know the impact she has on people sometimes.”
Carter clears his throat and stares at him, tapping his forefinger on the desktop. “Exactly. That’s all I was trying to say last night before you went ballistic.”
“Drop it.”
