Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56591 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Once, I suggested to Grandma that we could move her…
That didn’t go well. She’s comfortable here. She deserves this.
“Is it a lie?” she demands, struggling for breath.
“Yes,” I say firmly. “It’s a hurtful lie, in fact, Grandma. When I was a kid, I would’ve ended up in foster care if it wasn’t for you. You saved me. Now, I’m just trying to return the favor.”
She laughs weakly, bitterly. “There’s no saving me from this. I just wish they’d let me—”
“Don’t say that. Don’t even think it.” I let go of her hand to wipe a hot tear from my cheek. “You’ve got time to read. You’ve got your shows.”
“You’re right,” she says. “I’m sorry. I know you work so hard to afford this place.”
I smile tightly. Yeah, right.
“Anyway,” she says with forced brightness, seeming like the old grandma for a moment. “Enough of that. Tell me about yourself. How’s the new job? Any handsome men?”
“Men,” I repeat, laughing. “I haven’t got time for that.”
“You have to live your life, Izzy.”
“We both know I’ve never been very lucky with love.”
“That’s because you haven’t found the right person. But you’re young.” She pauses, breathing hard. Soon, even talking might be beyond her. “Twenty-five is a spring chicken these days, but don’t forget about that clock. Tick-tick-tick…”
“If you had your way,” I say jokingly, “you’d have me married off by the end of the week.”
There’s a croak in her voice when she says, “One of my greatest pleasures would be to see you with a husband and a child before…”
I scooch my chair over and lean forward so I can press a kiss to her cheek. “I’m here, Grandma. That’s the best I can offer right now.”
“That’s…” she wheezes. “More than enough, precious girl.”
Maybe I should tell her about these new feelings swirling in me. But then I’d have to add, oh, by the way, this guy with the dark eyes and the intense energy, I stole information off a memory drive so I can help sabotage his company.
“I love you, Grandma.”
“I love you too, baby.”
Later, in my small apartment with the thin walls and the heating that never seems to work, I sit in front of the TV, watching a violinist play on YouTube. There’s a pang deep inside me as I let myself feel the music. Tears sting my eyes. I’ve turned into a crybaby lately, but it’s difficult not to.
My cell phone lights up on the coffee table, Dominic Vale’s name legible through the cracks on the screen. He has my number from earlier today, when I texted him to explain to security that I was allowed into his office.
Dominic Vale: How was your first day, Izzy?
A ridiculous shiver runs through me. All day, I’ve been replaying that quick scene in his office. The way he leaned forward, those dark eyes focused on me. When he carefully placed the hard hat on my head, as though he was afraid he was going to hurt me with his big, powerful hands. Why not just hand it to me? Why get so close?
I grab my phone and quickly type a message.
Izzy: Do you always personally text your employees?
I delete the message before I can send it. Being snarky is the last thing I should be doing. I’ve managed to infiltrate his company. I’ve already been inside his office and seen the writing on his whiteboard. Extend the contract with PLI to the inner city? I’ve got no idea what PLI means, but I’m sure Aaron does. He’d love this information.
All of this to say… I’m doing the right thing. I’m making the right moves.
And I feel sick about it.
Izzy: It was fine, thank you, sir. After dropping off the memory drive, I returned to the site and basically made coffee all day. I did some laboring too.
His reply comes quicker than I expected.
Dominic Vale: You don’t have to call me sir, Izzy, as I’ve told you. But I understand if it makes you more comfortable.
If I don’t call him sir, I might let these thoughts inside me spiral to silly places. I’ve replayed the moment he put the hard hat on me too many times already.
Izzy: Fair enough.
Izzy: Thank you for taking an interest, but please don’t feel like I need any special help.
Dominic Vale: Why would I feel like that?
Is he being purposefully obtuse?
My fingers move fast, as if to stop my brain from catching up.
Izzy: Because I’m a woman, Dominic.
Dominic Vale: I know it can be tough for a woman in this industry, but that isn’t why I texted. I like to check in with all my employees. I don’t want anyone to think they can’t come to me with their problems. Lots of employers have ‘open door policies’, but mostly, they’d rather keep it shut. Not me.
Why is he trying so hard to seem likable to me? It’s like he knows I’m going to betray him and wants to make it as painful as possible.