Page 15 of My Ex for Christmas
What I told Hadley about the bar having an opening was true, but I also came here to keep an eye on Margaret. She’d be the first to insist she doesn’t need help, but I know she appreciates all the little things I do to make her life easier.
Deep, deep down inside.
“I know, but I’m gonna. Nowrest. You have to take care of yourself before you can tackle anything for anyone else.”
Her lips quirk. “Sir, yes, sir.”
I laugh. “Don’t be a smart-ass, Miss Knight.”
Her eyes dance playfully, and I wish I could simply talk to her for the rest of the night. But she needs to sleep, so I swallow down everything I want to say.
She finally closes her eyes again, and her breaths eventually even out. I can’t be sure, but I swear I hear her whisper, “I missed you.”
I sigh into the quiet room. “I missed you, too, Hads. More than you know.”
CHAPTER 6
HADLEY
The next morning,it takes me a moment to orient myself. I spent all of yesterday lying on my couch, so I somewhat expect to find myself there instead of in my bed, but then the memories come flooding back.
True to his word, Brooks was still sitting beside me when I woke up from my cold-induced nap last night. It was almost nine, and I wanted nothing more than to crawl beneath the covers and go back to sleep. He helped me to my room without hesitation.
It felt as if no time had passed, and we fell right back into old habits. When I was sick in high school, Brooks used to sneak out of class and spend the day with me in bed. He almost always wound up getting sick right after, but we didn’t care.
Rolling onto my side, I spot a note sitting on my nightstand. It’s written in Brooks’s familiar scrawl.
There’s leftover soup in your fridge, in case you decide to take another sick day. Knowing you, though, you won’t. So I asked the kitchen to track you down with room service for lunch.
Let me know if youneed me. I’m there.
B
Let me know if you need me. Not needanything, but needme.
Even after I mauled him and then immediately told Thiago we were just old friends catching up, even after I’ve avoided him at every turn, he’s still offering to help me.
I only let my cold-addled brain dwell on his words for a minute. Just one minute to acknowledge the way he’s willing to take care of me, even though I don’t deserve it. Then I get up to start my day.
Although I don’t feel half as dizzy this morning as I did yesterday, I know I could probably do with another day of rest. But that’s not in the cards. I’m determined to find Sheila’s replacement—not to mention the other employees who left in her wake. The only way to do that is by interviewing new candidates. The sooner, the better.
Thiago offered to do today’s interview on his own, but no offence to him, he has no idea what he’s looking for. I’m not sure I do either. But I’ll know it when I see it.
I find my phone sitting next to where the note had been. Of course, it’s dead. I plug it in before moving on to my usual morning routine. Luckily, I still managed to wake up with enough time to spare.
Once I’m dressed and my makeup is done, hopefully hiding the fact that I’m feeling under the weather, I head back to my bedroom.
My phone vibrates, coming to life now that it’s partially charged. A handful of older notifications light up my screen, but the text from Brooks—complete with his old contact name—steals all of my attention.
Brooks
How are you feeling?
I practically have to wrestle the butterflies in my stomach into a cage.He’s only asking because you looked like you were an extra insome zombie movie yesterday. It’s the decent thing to do, and Brooks is a decent guy.
I almost snort out loud.Understatement of the century.
Better. Nothing a bottle of Buckley’s can’t fix.
