Page 10 of Between the Lines

His blond hair is sun streaked and perfectly tousled, and his tan shirt has zero wrinkles.

I bet he hires someone to iron his clothes.

“Hi! I was just about to place a purchase order . . .” I point to the tablet on the floor beside me. My heart races so fast, I fear I might faint.

I wonder if that would count as workers’ comp . . .

Staggering to my feet, I smooth my cropped shirt and force a smile.

“Let’s talk.” Caden’s voice is emotionless. He turns to click the office door shut.

“Please. I . . .” I clench my fists, but it’s pointless. This is it. I’m going to be fired.

Then the roof will be the least of my issues. I’ll have no choice but to relinquish the house to my siblings, and they’ll sell it. Naturally Penny will insist I move into her guest room. I’ll have to share a bed with Daisy, ruining her sense of stability. She’ll grow up to resent me. I’ll be a penniless beach bum.

“I am really sorry—”

Caden cuts me off with a flip of the wrist.

Okay, rude.

He leans back against his desk, arms crossed over his chest again. His shirtsleeves wrap around his biceps in this position. He must have all the time in the world to workout, considering he looks like he stepped off the cover of a surfing magazine.

“Is there something going on that I’m unaware of here?” His gray eyes are sharp. Their gaze is too much; I have to force myself not to squirm.

“I’m sorry, I’ve had an off week,” I reply, swallowing the lump in my throat. I lift my chin—I will not allow myself to cry in front of this man. “I’ll be back on my game Monday.”

“I can’t have my manager falling asleep in my office.” Caden chews his lip like he’s trying to figure out what to do with me. “I trust you, but this goes both ways. If something is going on, if you need to adjust your schedule, communicate that with me.” He stops talking, then adds curtly, “Please.”

“Of course. I understand.” I clear my throat, nodding. “I promise, it won’t happen again.”

Caden exhales. “Would this have anything to do with you being tired?” He pulls a paper from his pocket, handing it to me.

It’s the estimate for the roof repair. I thought I’d lost it somewhere in the house.

My mouth goes dry. “Why do you have this?”

“You dropped it in here two days ago.” His brows remain pulled, voice stern.

I fold the paper back up and slide it into my pocket. “I have it handled. Like I said, I promise I’ll be good to go after the weekend. I just need to catch up on sleep.”

None of this is his business.

He needs me to do my job, he doesn’t need to know about my house falling down around me.

Caden grinds his jaw, turning towards the door. He reaches for the knob, his back to me, like he’s going to dismiss me.

I exhale, ready to get out of here, away from him and this conversation. Especially considering the fact that I most likely have dried drool on my face.

Slyly, I wipe my chin just in case.

He suddenly whips his body around, facing me. “I’ll assume you’re aware that the roofing company is ripping you off.”

My heart begins racing just as it was starting to settle.

Then my phone buzzes loudly. Luanne’s name flashes across the screen, and my stomach drops. “This is my sitter, I’m sorry I—Hello?” I turn away from him, pressing the phone to my ear. “Luanne, is everything okay?”

“Yes, honey!” A show Daisy loves sounds in the background. “I was calling to ask you if everything is okay with you? Are you stuck at work? It’s Friday and I have my doctor’s appointment . . .”