Page 121 of Midnights
I stare at the email for a long second, debating on responding now or waiting until I’ve had breakfast.
Better yet… maybe I just won’t respond at all.
I’m so tempted to fire off a reply telling him there’s no need to reschedule, and there will be no need for a meeting. But technically, that isn’t my call to make. Even though Steven made it painfully clear that he wants it to be.
I sigh before typing out a very professional, totally appropriate response to Meathead Mike.
I paused, smiling to myself as I reread it.
Okay, so it’s not the most professional response. But damn, does it feel good to type it out. I sit there for a second, reveling in my imaginary satisfaction, before rolling my eyes and deleting the entire thing.
Not my company anymore.
But I’m still the one who’s stuck dealing with him.
With a resigned sigh, I settle in and type out a much more professional, painfully polite email:
I hit send, feeling a wave of relief for handling it like a responsible adult, despite the very real temptation to tell him off.
I lean back against the pillow, letting out a long sigh. Ten minutes with Magic Mike, and I already feel drained.
The one silver lining is that after this meeting, I won’t have to check my email for nearly a month. Small wins. I haven't told Rachel yet, but I think I want to stay for a few more weeks.
I slide out of bed and step into the bathroom, bracing my hands on the sink, and stare at my reflection. There's no visible evidence that we kissed last night. And yet, for a split second, I half-expected to see evidence staring back at me, screamingguilty.
I splash some cold water on my face, hoping to rinse my thoughts of him down the drain.
Rachel already knows, I’m sure of it. The second she sees me, she’ll demand every last detail. And, God help me, I’m not even sure I want to tell her.
Drying my face with a towel, I wander over to the window, looking out at the view. The sun just started to come up, and everything has a glow to it. It's breathtaking. I can hear birds chirping, and I feel like Snow White.
Without thinking, I step out into the hallway. I really want to go outside and it's too early for anyone else to be up. If I can just make it outside without running intohim,I’ll call it a win.
The thought of Kane has me biting back a groan.
Gorgeous, annoying Kane. The Highlander God I was more than willing to climb last night. Unfair doesn’t even begin to cover it.
The castle is blissfully quiet as I tiptoe through the halls. The only sound I hear is coming from the birds outside.
Once I'm in the garden, I look around and suck in a breath. This feels like a different world in the light of day. Last night, it was wild and moody. Now it’s soft and serene. The flowers glisten with leftover rain, making their petals glow in the sun.
There's a lake not to far away, and I can see it shimmering like glass. Just off to the side, there's a massive tree. There’s also a tree swing swaying slightly in the breeze.
Naturally, I have to check it out.
I start walking toward the tree, when my phone buzzes. Of course. I turned the notifications back on fordear old Mike, so I wouldn’t leave him waiting.
For a moment, I consider ignoring it. The swing is calling my name. But, halfway there, I decide to stop.
I know if I make it to that swing, his email will be the last thing on my mind. And knowing Mike, I'll have eight more unread messages by then.
Not today, Satan.
Rolling my eyes, I pull out my phone and open the email, bracing for whatever he’s conjured up this time.
I’m being petty, I know I am, but I’ll feel bad about it later.
He wants to meettoday.
