Page 62 of Secrets (The Sins Trilogy 2)
“Excellent. Why don’t you see when you’ll be able to have a meeting with his people to hammer out the details?”
“Will do. Anything else?”
“Rhonda has a few things for you to look at. That’s it.”
I start to leave, then stop, clearing my throat sheepishly. “Oh, by the way, I hate to bring this up because I was out for a week, but I have a doctor’s appointment this morning at eleven thirty. Is that okay?”
“No problem. You usually come in early anyway, so don’t worry about it.”
God, I totally lucked out when I got hired here.I can’t imagine a boss this easy to work for, especially if half the things on office dramas are true. I go back to my desk and see a huge basket of tiger lilies. I don’t have to see the card to know who sent them.
Have a great day at work. And don’t let your slave driver boss push you too hard. ;)
–Tony
I tap a corner of the card against my lower lip, smiling. He’s the sweetest. Of course, I have a surprise for him too. But the wait feels too long. So I go online and order a basket of healthy snacks to be delivered to his office before lunch. Tony’s big on snacking to keep his energy up. Then, on impulse, I send him a bouquet of tiger lilies too, because they remind him of me. I add a message: Because I love you.
That done, I spend the rest of the morning sending emails to Byron’s assistant, who’s in charge of the program on their side, and go over the work Rhonda did for me. She’s only heard that I got a bad case of stomach flu and had to stay home. I send a small prayer of gratitude in Elizabeth’s direction. The last thing I want is everyone in the office knowing what a psycho my uncle is. I mean, yes, it’s true he isn’t a good man, but it would be humiliating for my coworkers to gossip about.
By the time I’m caught up on things, it’s time for me to leave for my appointment. Bobbi and I walk the two short blocks.
“Do you think we should act normal, like we know each other?” I ask, unsure how this bodyguard business works.
“Not unless you want to.”
“Oh.” I clear my throat. “Don’t you think it’ll look less strange if we act like friends?”
“Not really.” A beat. “Do you feel weird?”
“Yeah, a little.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
Ugh. That’s not why I started this conversation. “Do you like Tolyan?” I blurt out.
“No.” Her answer is swift and decisive. Maybe a little too swift and decisive.
Oh my.Does she like him? I want to probe, but we’re already at the clinic.
The doctor’s office is pleasant and soothing, with plenty of plants and pale mint walls and elegant beige tile. Nothing like the places I went to after waking up. They were depressingly sterile, with functional linoleum flooring and scuffed industrial-white walls. There’s not a hint of bleach in the air here, which I appreciate. Dr. Xia is in her late fifties. She’s kind—almost motherly—and answers all my questions and guides me through my options.
Half an hour later, I’m finished. I walk out, a secret smile on my lips. My phone buzzes. Speaking of the devil…
Where are you? I’m at your office, but don’t see you or Bobbi.
Oh. I left a little early. I didn’t know you were coming.
Did you have lunch yet?
Not yet.
Then let’s eat together. My treat. Anything you want.
I giggle, happy at his good mood. If you put it that way, how can I refuse? How about meet me at the Italian bistro across the street from the office?
Fine by me.
I glance at Bobbi. What about Bobbi? Should she come?
Yes. And she should eat.
Hmm. I scowl. She should eat, but I was hoping the lunch would be more intimate—just me and Tony. TV celebrities who travel with huge entourages always look so comfortable, but I don’t think I’ll ever reach that level of Zen.
I can just think of her like Julie or Yuna—a friend. And it’ll be fine, even though the knowledge that she’s here to take a bullet for me is sitting in the back of my mind like a cold, ugly fact I’d rather not acknowledge.
