Page 20 of Rival
“I w-wouldneverdothat!” The way she stutters and spits the words out has me losing myself to laughter. My eyes close as I lean forward to attempt to rein it in, and when I finally look back at her, it’s obvious she’s horrified by my suggestion. Her lips are pressed so tightly together, she looks as if she’s sucked on something sour.
Clearly, she’s not finding my suggestion as funny as I find it, so I reel myself in and give her an easier smile. “I’m honestly just teasin’. Not that I think what those ladies do should be looked down on. Everyone’s gotta do what they gotta do to make ends meet, but you’re right. I can’t see you in that line of work. It wouldn’t suit you.”
She jerks her eyes away from me, frowning in thought. “I don’t think I’d be terrible at it,” she mumbles. I swear to God, I think she’s pouting over me not thinking she could be an actual stripper.
Cocking my head to the side, I bite my cheek before saying, “No. I think you’d be a treat for any man who wanted to see you like that. But I don’t think it’s somethin’ you’re actually doin’.”
“I’m not,” she snaps, then picks up her fork to dig back into her dinner, more aggressively this time.
I do the same, and we eat in an awkward silence for a few minutes before I ask, “You’re doin’ work that your dad wouldn’t approve of, though, correct?”
Her finger shoots out and smacks an angry yes on my hand, and I hold back my grin. Her attitude is something else, mainly adorable. Another beat of silence and I have a thought that she’ll probably say no to, but I ask anyway.
“You workin’ for someone your daddy wouldn’t approve of? If it’s not the job he’d have a problem with, is it the boss?”
Her hand pauses again. “Why do you think that?” she asks breathlessly, fingers tightening around the handle. My eyes catch the small tremor in her fingers, and I’m actually surprised I’m closer to the answer than I thought I’d be.
“It was more of a longshot, but now I think I’m right.” Narrowing my eyes at her, I ask, “Who are you workin’ for darlin’?”
Edith bites her lip and shoves pasta into her mouth, sighing loudly and avoiding me as she chews. I’ve hit the nail on the head. I set my fork next to my plate and lean back, studying her.
“Who, Edith?”
She shakes her head quickly and glances at the door separating us from her father. “It doesn’t matter. I like my job and I don’t want him to tell me I can’t do it anymore.” Her eyes meet mine quickly, she’s desperate for me to understand and not say anything. “Please, Mr. Graham. I really like my job.”
“Griffin,” I correct. Mr. Graham just makes me feel old as fuck. I shrug away her concern. “You’re a grown adult and don’t have to explain to anyone what you do. That’s your business, but I am curious now. Whoareyou workin’ for?”
She hesitates, debating whether she should share her secret with me. Then, eventually, her shoulders fall as she resolves herself to come clean. “Our neighbor, Mr. Cooper. I’m helping out with his cattle. Feeding the babies and cleaning up the barns.”
Oh, fuck. FUCK!My mind is whirling. Of all the people I thought she’d say, I didn’t expect it to bethatasshole. My brother and I, along with Clayborn, have had run-ins with that ass wipe all our lives.
Edith must be able to read my feelings written all over my face because she stiffens her shoulders before grabbing her plate, walking it to the sink. I barely notice that she still has half her meal left, which she scrapes into a plastic container.
“Edith, that guy is bad news. Youcan’tbe workin’ for him. Your dad is gonna lose his shit when he finds out!”
The way she shoots a glare at me only serves to make me drive my point harder.
“I’m serious. He’s a complete asshole. Aside from the fact that he’s been nothin’ but a nightmare for all of us for decades,he’s just flat out mean. There’s no way he’s lettin’ you work there without an ulterior motive.”
She hikes her shoulders to her ears as my anger pours out. Clayborn has to know about this. No way can this slip of a woman be allowed to work for Mason Cooper. He’ll destroy her the first chance he gets.
Shooting out of my chair, wanting to go into the living room to let him know what she’s up to, my feet take me to her instead. Gripping her arms, I spin her around and feel her flinch under my touch, so I release her and lift my hands up as she shuffles away.
“Honest to God, Edith. Please don’t keep workin’ for him. Mason Cooper is gonna take advantage of you. He’ll use your sweetness to get under your skin and fuck you over the first chance he gets. You’re an idiot if you think otherwise.”
The second the insult comes out of my mouth, I instantly regret it. Her face completely falls, cheeks turning bright red in embarrassment.
“I don’t care what you think about it. You told me you wouldn’t say anything to my father. Please don’t be insultinganda liar.” She looks over my shoulder toward the abandoned dinner table. “Are you finished with your meal? I can pack up the rest if you’d prefer to take it with you.”
Frustrated, I shake my head at her. “I don’t care about the damn dinner. I care that you’re stickin’ your nose in business with someone whose only goal in life is to fuck with everyone he sees as beneath him.” Moving into her space, I catch her quick intake of breath as I lean down to keep my voice low. “Be smart, Edith. Don’t get yourself caught up in their stupid as fuck feud.”
“I-I think it’s time for you to leave, Mr. Graham.”
I hate that her voice cracks, requesting me to leave. What I hate more is that I’m making her uncomfortable. Not being able to help myself, I press a kiss to her temple, then step away.
“Just consider what I’ve said, would ya? Do that at least?”
I release a frustrated noise as I wait for her to answer, but she gives me nothing. Edith keeps her body rigid, back pressed against the counter, and I eventually move away. I finished most of my meal, so I grab my plate and pass it to her when she shoots her hands out for it.
