Page 29 of Secrets (The Sins Trilogy 2)
Chapter Thirteen
Iris
Tony was in a horrible mood all day Sunday. I sometimes caught him staring at nothing, those green eyes narrow and promising murder. I felt bad for the person who put that expression on his face, but at the same time, maybe whoever it is deserves it. Or maybe it wasn’t even a person but a work project? He’s running a big company. It must have its share of drama and problems.
But Monday morning, Tony is much more cheerful and relaxed. Maybe it’s because he realized I noticed his crabby mood. He’s surprisingly sensitive that way.
After a quick shower, I go to the closet, half of which is mine now. Starched dress shirts and crisply ironed slacks hang in his section, while mine’s full of dresses, skirts and cute tops. I pick out a formfitting sleeveless red dress I got in Barcelona a couple of years ago.
“Why are you putting that on?” Tony says, watching me. He’s already in his work outfit.
“Why not? It’s a great power dress. And it’s conservative enough for the office.” The round neckline is modest, and it has a mid-shin hemline.
“Don’t you remember? Elizabeth told you to take a week off.”
Pulling my hair to the side, I turn around so he can zip me up. I can do it myself, but I know he enjoys doing small things like that for me, so it’s become my habit to let him. “But I’m feeling fine now. I don’t see why I should take advantage.” Besides, getting back to work is just what I need to prove to myself I’m not some broken doll that needs to be coddled. I can function like any other normal, well-adjusted twenty-something.
He pulls the zipper up, then hooks the clasp at the top.
“Thank you.” Facing him, I smooth his shirt. “You look fantastic, and I love our morning commute together. Besides, I think TJ is starting to like me a little bit.”
“She’s going to send you right back home.”
“And I’ll tell her I can’t go because I don’t have a ride.”
Tony laughs. “You apparently don’t know your boss very well, if you think a minor obstacle like that will deter her.”
“We’ll see.” She won’t make me leave if I’m obviously fine and already in the office.
We go to the kitchen together. He starts the coffee. As I reach for the fridge, my phone rings. It’s Elizabeth. I answer immediately, almost on autopilot.
“Good morning, Iris. How are you feeling?”
“I’m good,” I say with an extra dollop of cheeriness so she can tell just from my voice I’m fabulously well.
“Great. I just wanted to make sure you’re taking your week off.”
Whaaat?I pull my phone away and stare for a moment, my jaw slack with frustration. Did she not hear my extra-healthy voice? I infuse even more robustness into my tone. “Thanks, but that won’t be necessary. I’m feeling great!”
“Please don’t argue. It’s paid time off. You got hurt while working for the foundation. It’s the least I can do.” Her voice is honey-sweet and warm, but there’s a certain tone underneath.
“But I was working on projects—”
“Which can be taken over by Rhonda for a week. She won’t mind.”
I cringe, then go for another angle. “She shouldn’t have to work overtime because of me. She has a kid.” Come on, Elizabeth. Let me live my life!
“Don’t worry. I can manage it all without asking her to stay late. You just take care and get better. See you next Monday.” She hangs up.
Tony arches an eyebrow. “Told you.”
“But why? Didn’t I sound like I was bursting with energy?” I look up at the ceiling. “Did she install a hidden camera? How did she know?”
“She isn’t spying on us. She just knows what kind of person you are.” He grows serious. “If you don’t take time off, she’ll feel awful, and you’ll never hear the end of it. It’s better this way.”
“She’s going to pay me to do nothing.”
“So? It makes her happy to take care of people. So let her. She’s the kind of boss everyone wants. Why do you think the place has almost no turnover?”
