MasukThat’s fine. As long as he knows that I’m not interested in chatting all day, I’ll be good. I have a million things on my ever-growing list from Carl.”“Just sit him down and tell him what you expect of him as an office mate. Besides, it’ll give you something yummy to look at when you need a mental break.” Gina bit her lip seductively. “Not interested. Only one man has my attention, and he’s stolen far too much of it as it is.” Mandy laughed, finally allowing the liquor and good company to help her settle into the evening. “Oh, nice. Do tell…”Mandy woke the next morning to the soft touch of finger rubbing her thigh. She jerked up to find Carl in the bed behind her. “Sorry. I was going to knock, and then I realized how nice it would be to just come in and snuggle up behind you.” He gave her a naughty grin and continued to drag his fingers along her skin. “What if I’d had a lover in here?” She couldn’t help but tease him as she dropped back down onto her bed. Her tank top and panti
A sniffle caught her attention, and her shoulders stiffened. “Your father has decided he wants a divorce.” Another sniffle. “Oh, Mom. Why? What happened?” Mandy leaned back in her chair as ice cold realization ran down the center of her. If her parents, who seemed to love each other, could get divorced after forty years of marriage, what chance did she have?“He just came in last week and said that he was tired of feeling nothing. I have no clue what he means, seeing as how I still love him very much. I’m simply the victim here.” Her mom let out an ugly sob as she started to cry. Victim? Her mother was aggressive, mouthy, and mean. Victim wasn’t at all a label she would associate with the woman. She’d been the attacker many times in Mandy’s life, but never ever had she been the victim. “I’m sure you guys are going to work it out.” Mandy pressed her fingers to her mouth, catching a part of the conversation in retrospect. “Did you say last week?”“Yes. It was last Tuesday.” Her moth
Carl had to work late and suggested she head home early, saying there was no use for both of them to be in the office. Still trying to adjust to this new work situation and how they were supposed to act, Mandy just nodded and headed back. She took a long swim in the pool, then ate the incredible dinner Murray had prepared before settling down with a romance novel she had in one of the boxes still unpacked in her bedroom closet. Funny how reading about love made it seem all the more possible to have. She woke the next morning, disappointed to be on her own. She checked her phone but there were no messages from Carl. She hoped to see him in the main house, but doubted it seriously. His promise of a long night of teasing and love-making obviously had to be put on hold. The poor guy had probably bitten off almost more than he could chew at the office. If he wasn’t finding time to eat, sleep, or exercise, he certainly didn’t have time for her. Some part of knowing that if they did get to
He smiled as she stood and tugged her skirt back down. “I did. I’m turning into a bitch and realized why this morning.” She moved toward him, sliding her arms around his waist as he finished buttoning his slacks. “Needed a good reminder that you’re every guy’s fantasy?” He wiggled his eyebrows and kissed her once more. “I don’t care about every guy. Just you.” She nipped at his lips before moving back and bending over to pick up her panties. She wasn’t every guy’s fantasy, but he was every girl’s. She slid her panties into the small pocket of her skirt and walked to the door. “You have ten minutes. Good luck today.”“Thanks, Mandy. I’ll see you in a bit. I feel incredible now.”“You should. You are incredible.” She paused by the door, watching him as he rushed around to gather his notes and check his hair in the mirror. She’d lost him again, but it was alright. Having him hold her and remind her that they were still very much together as best they could be was enough. Gina glanced
Look, I told you,” Mandy said to her sister. “I’ll help you on the weekends and after work when I can.” Mandy sighed. “Can’t you see how important this job is to me?”“Can’t you see how important this wedding is to me?” Claudia whined. “Tighter,” she snapped at the seamstress. “I don’t want to be mistaken for my sister because the bodice is too big.”Mandy rolled her eyes and reclined against the dark blue armchair meant for guests during the fittings. “I thought you were worried about looking like a prostitute,” she mumbled.“There’s a difference between looking like a prostitute and not looking like I’m morbidly obese,” Claudia said. “Speaking of which, how is your diet going? It looks like you’ve broken it a few times.”Mandy was beyond tired of Claudia’s comments. “I’m not morbidly obese. If I lose twenty pounds, I’ll be like a size six, maybe an eight, tops. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that size.” She stared at her sister’s reflection in the mirror. “Actually, I lost f
Mandy jumped slightly. She hadn’t even heard him leave his office. “Yes.” She pressed her lips into a thin line. “I’m afraid my sister found the number to here. I don’t suppose there’s a persona non grata list or something we can put her on? Otherwise, I have a feeling she’ll be tying up the phone lines trying to reach me.” Thankfully he hadn’t mentioned anything about literally bumping into him at the gym this morning. Her lower back couldn’t forget it though.Carl looked at her thoughtfully. “I’m sure something can be set up.” He checked his phone, which ironically buzzed the same time as Mandy’s new work phone. “Isn’t there anyone else who can help her with her wedding?”“I believe so,” Mandy said and then shook her head. “It’s my fault. I told her I would be her maid of honor.”“Most maids of honor I’ve met have jobs and lives of their own,” he said dryly.Mandy shrugged. “I’m sorry.” If she lost this job because of Claudia, she wouldn’t need a maid of honor, Claudia would be need







