Page 20 of Forged in Peril

The corded phone on her desk rang out of the blue, and Bristol almost swore in surprise, managing to punch in a few keystrokes of gibberish on her laptop before she could reach over to lift the receiver.

“Forge Brothers Security legal department, Bristol speaking,” she said, purposely ignoring the caller ID on the screen that made it very clear the formal greeting wasn’t necessary.

“Hey, Bristol,” Cameron said, sounding as cheery as the wintry sunshine pouring in through the window. “Are you busy right now?”

Bristol glanced up at the computer screen, hitting the backspace key a few times and finishing her sentence properly.

“I can get away from my desk if you need something.”

No point in letting him know she was currently doing the work of an intern.

She heard Cameron give a slight chuckle, his voice still rich and attractive despite the phone line that separated them. “Well, in that case, we need to do something about your transportation situation.”

Bristol’s stomach twisted. Of course. She’d known that he would bring it up sooner or later, but she’d secretly been hoping he’d hold off until her first paycheck arrived. Until then, she could barely afford a bus pass.

“I know, I’m so sorry,” she said quickly, winding the cord of the phone around her now-healed palm. “I’ve been taking advantage of the car service for long enough, I know, but to be honest with you, that car was only minimally insured, and I’ve been trying to dig up enough money to get–”

“Bristol–”

“–mom knows a guy, but his garage is out in Lytle, and I’m not sure when I can get Boris there. But there’s the bus, and–”

“Please, I–”

“I know it’s a nuisance, but I have been trying, and I’m sorry–”

Bristol heard a click as Cameron hung up the phone.

She replaced the receiver on the cradle.

For several long seconds she sat there, tightening the cord around her hand like she used to do in her mom’s kitchen as a child, feeling like she might cry.

What exactly did he want her to say?

He had no idea what it was like. No clue how it felt to be left with no options, and no wealthy relatives to bail him out.

The longer the silence went on, the more annoyed she got. He had some nerve hanging up on her.

The phone rang in her hand, and this time, she swore aloud.

“Not done humiliating me yet?” she answered, not bothering to hide the fury in her voice.

To her surprise, Cameron laughed.

“It’s probably a good thing that you don’t drink coffee. You need to learn to take a breath,” he said. He didn’t sound angry, or even annoyed. Her cheeks burned, and she said nothing, clutching the phone against her cheek. “Sorry for hanging up, but I was trying to get you to let me talk for two seconds.”

She sighed.

“Okay. Sorry about that.”

“Also, it would have been hilarious if Jaclyn decided to call you right before I did,” he added, chuckling to himself again.

He had a point. This time, she hadn’t even glanced at the caller ID before rudely accusing the person on the other end of embarrassing her.

“Anyway,” he continued, “I called to tell you to get your jacket and to grab a tea, it’s a little chilly out today. We’re going to go car shopping before lunch. I already told Jaclyn I’m making an executive decision to spring you from your vitally important Thursday morning duties. Let’s go.”

Bristol was so surprised that once again she found herself holding the phone against her cheek, completely speechless as her fingers tightened on the black plastic.

“I can’t afford a new car,” she choked out.

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