Page 68 of The Wish List
I got a cup of coffee as AJ jumped to his feet. “I won! I beat Asher! Momma, I hardly ever beat him!”
Asher stood, laughing, and shook his hand. “Good game.”
AJ nodded. “You too.”
Asher ruffled his hair. “Go get dressed. I’m gonna talk your momma into making pancakes.”
AJ scampered away, and Asher came into the kitchen. I poured him a cup of coffee, and he sat at the counter.
“Pancakes?” I asked with a smile.
“And sausage,” he said with a decisive nod. “I took it out of the freezer for you.”
“How helpful.”
“I know.” He studied me. “You slept well. I’m pleased.”
“You rather wore me out.”
He’d made love to me twice before I fell asleep, once hard and fast in the shower and once in the bed, slowly, sweetly, making me come twice.
He grinned. “My favorite job.”
My smile faded at the word, but he shook his head. “I spoke with my lawyer. Wells had no grounds to fire you. It’s being handled.”
“Handled?”
“Sam is friends with the owner of your company. He called him this morning. You are free to return to work. Ms. Wells will not be there.” He took a sip of coffee. “If you want to go back. If not, there is a nice severance package for you.”
“I have to work.”
He lifted his eyebrows but said nothing.
“I do,” I insisted. “Rent, food, clothes. They all cost.”
He nodded.
“What about her?”
“Yours wasn’t the only complaint. It was by far the most serious. Turns out she is the daughter of a friend who called in a favor. Her résumé looks awesome, but it’s all a pack of lies. She’s great at manipulation. He is ‘moving her along.’”
“Oh. Good. I don’t know why she disliked me so much.”
“Because you were up for her position, and she knew it. She wanted you out of there so you couldn’t show her up.”
I gaped at him. “I had no idea. I’m not qualified…” I trailed off.
“Your old boss thought you were. He thought you were the perfect person to take his place. He recommended you.” He smiled. “She disliked what you represented. A threat.”
Her dislike made sense now. I didn’t like it, but now I understood it.
“The office is closed for the rest of the week. You can work from here if you want, or you can take the rest of the week off—your choice.”
“Wow.”
“I have connections, and I will use them to make your life easier.” He looked fierce. “I will do anything to make your life easier.”
I blinked and set down my coffee. “I think I have pancakes to make.”
