Page 19 of Shape Of My Heart
She didn’t like this, and she was in no mood for foolishness fromthesemen.
She might not have lived in Atlanta for awhile—technically she wasn’t living anywhere—but that didn’t change her southern roots and manners. She was a lady and wasn’t used to these presumptuous men who spoke so openly about condoms, lubricants, and all kinds of craplikethat.
“Can I help you with something?” Her irritation was evident in her voice. His brown eyes widened in surprise at her tone. He ran his hands through his rich brown hair and smiled again. He was another one of those gorgeous types who’d obviously, like Josh—His Majesty—thought he was God’s gift to the world. Maybe it was the wrong thing to ask if she could help him with something. What if he, too, sent her on some crazy shopping spree, or responded with some explicitly sexualcomment.
“Before you answer, please, no fool’s errands or sex stuff. I can only deal with one asshole at a time.” She pointed her dust brush at him and inclined her head totheside.
“Wow, Zelda really did it this time.” Hechuckled.
“Zeldadidwhat?”
“You. Look, I don’t mean to tell you how to do your job, but you see that whole attitude thing?” He motioned to her and circled his hand. “You need to supercharge it and make sure you don’t take any ofJosh’scrap.”
Okay, that wasn’t what she thought he would say. She narrowed her gaze at him, thinking about hissuggestion.
“Seriously. You shouldn’t be cleaning or going on his crazy errands. Don’t let him push youaround.”
“Aren’t you his friend?” She found it strange that he wasn’t like Josh. So far everyone she’d met in this house had been quiteunsavory.
“Yes, ma’am, Isuream.”
She picked up a twang in his voice as he spoke and wondered where hewasfrom.
“But I am no asshole. And someone has to tell you that instead of taking orders, the way to deal with Josh is to give orders of your own. Don’t ask him for anything, tell him what you are doing and tell him what to do. I’m also sure Zelda said to contact her if you needed anything. That pretty much meansanything.”
Her perspective of him changed. She appreciated his advice. Honestly, she should have contacted Zelda already and told her what was going on. Amy was just a little worried Zelda would think that she couldn’t handlethejob.
“Thankyou.”
He tipped his head in reverence the way most southerners would. “You’re welcome, and if you need some extra help with him call me. My number’s in the phone book on top of the fridge. The name’sCorey.”
“Thanks,I’mAmy.”
His smile widened again. “Good luck, Amy.” He gave her a curt nodandleft.
She looked around the room and dropped the dust pan and brush. She wouldn’t be cleaning anymore, or taking any of Josh’s orders. She left the office and went back into the living room to find he was still there on the sofa. Sitting there looking like he was deep incontemplation.
She’d seen some mail at the front door on her way in and wanted to grab it and put it with the others. Ignoring him she got the mail and made her way back to the office. He followed her just as sheanticipated.
“You got my order wrong.” He gave her a hard look as she turned around toregardhim.
Amy didn’t answer, she just looked at him thinking about what sheshouldsay.
“Hey Kansas, I’m talkingtoyou.”
“My name is Amy. It isn’t Kansas. I’m not even from there so I don’t know where you cooked thatupfrom.”
“You got my order wrong.” He narrowedhisgaze.
“Did I? It all seems about righttome.”
“Why would you think I meant root beer, and a damn kids’ rootbeertoo?”
“You never specified what sort of beer you meant,” she answered with a tight-lippedsmile.
“You think you’re funny. The beer I might drink and the hot sauce I can use in a sandwich. But what the hell am I supposed to do with them midgetcondoms?”
“Mr. Mancini. I’m afraid that is above my pay grade. Now, if you will excuse me, I’m afraid I have things to do.” She turned her back to him and focused on the stackofmail.
Thankfully he gave up this nonsensical argument and walked off. As he did, an idea brewed in her mind. Amy needed to up her game. Since being here she really had allowed him to push her around. This was just her third day here and she was already feeling like she’d been here for years and needed toretire.
No more of it. She was going to take Corey’s advice and put things inorder.
