Page 8 of Lost Times

Her low hum came through, the consideration clear. “I could see where the second would chafe you. Ever since you were young you always did your best to compliment others. As for the last bit, that sounds like a responsible business owner.”

Dang it, now both her and Naomi were against me on that. “I was fine, and he shouldn’t have gotten involved.” I grumbled, and Mom waited a second before continuing.

“Honey, why are you so set on this? Usually you would be delighted to know your boss cared about his employees enough to implement something like this. Why is he different?”

She didn’t know what happened to make Jasmine, she’d never asked and I’d never offered, past a simple explanation of a one-night stand with lasting consequences. Was now the right time to tell her, though?

I could use her advice…

Decision made, I deflated, eyeing the direction Jasmine had disappeared in. I could hear her playing in her room, so it should be safe to talk, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to talk tosomeoneabout this.

“Mom, he’s Jasmine’s father.” I said it in a whisper, wary of listening ears, and I could all but hear Mom choke from the other end.

“Her father?! But you said-.”

I cut her off, rubbing the bridge of my nose again. “Yes, that she was born from a one-night stand, and she was. We met while I was still working at the bar and things just…escalated from there. We used protection, but obviously it isn’t one hundred percent fool-proof. I tried getting in contact with him, but couldn’t.”

A sigh dragged from my lungs. “And now I’m working for him. He told me on the first day that he wouldn’t give special treatment, and so far, he hasn’t seemed interested in bringing up the past.”

Thankfully, I was already on edge enough as it was.

This time the silence was loaded and when she spoke, it was the last thing I wanted to hear. “He doesn’t know about Jasmine, does he?”

A tiny flash of disapproval wormed into her tone and I cringed.

“No, he doesn’t and if I have it my way, he never will. He has the money to fight for custody if that’s what he wanted, and I can’t risk that. Besides, he’s cold and always buried in work. I wouldn’t want Jasmine around that anyway.”

It felt more like an excuse than anything, but Mom didn’t point that out. “I’ll support you in whatever decision you make, but I really suggest you consider telling him, Thalia. You never know, he might surprise you.”

I sincerely doubted it, but I didn’t say that. Instead, I hummed. “I’ll think on it. I should probably get some medicine now, before Naomi comes to bust down my door.”

She chuckled. “I like that girl. You’re right, though. Feel free to call later and update me on that situation. I love you.”

“I love you too,” I said and hung up, eyeing the clock with disdain. I had too many things to do to sleep yet, but I could fantasize about it.

Chapter 5

Walking through the halls at work, I braced for the mountain of paperwork that waited for me. I’d have to catch up on all the stuff I didn’t get done yesterday, plus finish all of today’s work on time.

It wasn’t impossible, but it’d push me a hair closer to being late for picking up Jasmine. I’d have to keep an eye on the time and pray nothing else came up.

Putting that to the side, I waved at a few of my coworkers before rounding the corner to my desk.

Only to freeze at the almost clear area that met my eyes.

That wasn’t right. I should have a mountain of paperwork to get done. Turning to Kelly’s desk, I gestured to mine and asked.

“Did someone grab my work by mistake?”

She shook her head, flicking a glance over my area before answering. “Nope, the boss came by yesterday and took it.”

He what?

Surprise hit like a brick and it must have been obvious on my face, because Kelly waved a hand. “Don’t look so freaked out. He won’t get on you for it, if that’s what you’re worried about. He insists on upholding that policy of his, and whenever he makes one of us stay home, he covers the work so we don’t get swamped coming back. It’s normal.”

That was…surprisingly nice of him.

Not putting a strike on my record was one thing, but I hadn’t expected him to go this far. Eyeing his office door, through which I could just see him pouring over his own paperwork, I felt my estimation of him shift just a bit.

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