Page 50 of Fairy Tale Lies
“Like a whiny little bitch,” Jacob muttered.
“Anyway,” Greta said loudly, over his grousing and Anna’s laughter. “I don’t want to talk about him.” She crumpled her sandwich papers and reached for her purse. “Jacob, would you do me a huge favor?”
“Sure, what do you need?”
“My stepfather’s birthday is around the corner, and I was wondering if you could fix his Rolex? The watch was his grandfather’s. Nigel loves the thing.” She dug around in an oversized leather bag. “For some reason, it stopped working last year. He’d taken it to a local jewelry store. They weren’t able to fix it.”
“What your stepfather needs is a specialist, a horologist. I’ll take a look at it, though, no promises. Watches aren’t my specialty. I typically work on bigger items.”
“I won’t be disappointed. You’re one of the smartest men I know. I’m sure you can fix anything.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” He grinned. Her concrete belief in him made him light as air. He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “When can I have it? You said his birthday is near so the sooner the better.”
“Funny you should say that…” She smiled sheepishly, pulling a watch from her purse.
“Oh hell,” he choked in disbelief, taking the Rolex. “This is a Zerographe. Did you seriously toss a three hundred-thousand-dollar watch into your purse?”
“It’s too big for my wrist,” she replied defensively.
Rich people!
“That’s your excuse?” Holding in his scowl at her glibness was difficult.
“If you’re worried, put the thing on.” She grabbed his wrist, rolling the sleeve of his button-down, and sliding on the Rolex. She leaned back and examined him. “Fits perfect, even better than on Nigel. I always thought the thing was too big for his slender wrist.”
“Thing,” Jacob scoffed, trying to get over the fact she’d thrown the Zerographe into her purse like a cheap Timex. “It’s nice. You think your step-father will want it back?” he joked.
She laughed. “No. Go ahead, keep it.”
“Any other riches in there for me?” Anna pretended to peer into Greta’s purse.
“Only if you consider breath mints or Christian Louboutin lipstick treasures.”
“What color’s the lipstick?”
“Petal Rose.”
“Tempting.” Anna smiled, wrapping the remains of her lunch. “I’d better get back. Swanson’s two-week notice expired on Friday, and your father hasn’t found a replacement. I’ve been drafted as his assistant until a new one is hired.” She stood.
“Who’s covering for you in the legal department?” Greta asked.
“One of the paralegals is taking care of the simpler work and sending me the important stuff. Needless to say, I’m swamped.”
“I bet. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it. Nice meeting you officially, Jacob.”
“Same here.” He rose and shook her hand again.
After Anna left, he sat and asked the question he couldn’t earlier. “What’d your father say? Why would he give two shits about Friday night?”
Greta squirmed. “He didn’t. His problem was more with me dating a client.”
Cement gargoyles sat on Jacob’s chest. “He had no idea we’re seeing each other?” He’d told his brother and father almost immediately.
“Well…no.”
“You’re staying with him, right?”
