Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108636 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 543(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
“First of all, Juni,” my dad interjects with a big smile, “how about we drop the ‘sir’ stuff? It makes me feel a hundred years old.”
She rolls her eyes. “You’re my boss.”
“True. But you’re also my Junebug, and if you’re old enough to be calling me sir, I must be getting close to retirement.”
“Hi, June,” I say again, pulling her eyes to me once more. She blushes a little and waves, adorably annoyed with my cries for attention.
“Hi, Beau.”
“Just call him Neil,” I add. “That’s what I do.”
My dad laughs, and June’s cheeks turn even rosier. A lock of red hair falls in front of her face, and she tucks it behind her ear.
“Well, Neil,” she says, overemphasizing his name for good measure. “Where should I put these files so I can get out of your hair?”
“Put them on Denise’s desk.” He offers her a little wink. “They’ll be a nice surprise when she gets back from lunch.”
I guffaw, and June’s eyes jump to mine again, bemused. I hold them for longer than necessary, watching with fascination as her embarrassed grin turns into a gorgeous smile. All the pretty, girl-like features of Avery’s best friend I used to know are gone, a full-fledged, beautiful woman in her place.
I don’t know when it happened, but the transformation is definitely complete.
“No offense, Neil, but I’m glad I won’t be here to see that,” she remarks, and I bite my lip and look down at my lap to smother a smile.
My dad laughs.
“Need anything else?”
“No, Juni. I’m all set. Beau?”
I shake my head and meet her eyes. “I’m good, June. Thanks.”
Her long red hair swishes along her back as she turns on her heel to exit, and I allow myself a small peek at how long her legs look beneath her black skirt. Her skin is creamy and freckled, and a bolt of something runs through me I can’t quite place.
It’s like searching for the right word in a sentence while your brain whirs around it.
There’s a crunch and a groan as she makes it to the doorjamb, my sister’s voice echoing around us as the two of them run into each other head on.
June stumbles back, dropping several of the files in her arms to the floor in a chaotic flurry.
“What the hell?” Avery asks, walking right around June and settling her hand on her hip. I jump up from my seat to help collect the files for June.
“Sorry, June,” Avery finally apologizes, noticing the scene a bit better, now that I’m helping. “But color me a little shocked that there’s a family reunion going on here and no one invited moi.”
“We didn’t even know you were at work today, princess,” our dad comments with a tickled smile. It doesn’t matter that she’s twenty-three, shit at being an intern, and basically milking his fucking payroll—he’s never, ever angry with her.
“Daddy!” Avery protests with a roll of her eyes. “Of course I’m at work today.”
“Sorry, love. I hadn’t seen you. What time did you get here?”
“Does it matter?” she tosses back, lifting her fresh cup of Starbucks to her lips. “I’m here, and I’m ready to roll!”
“Oh, great,” my dad comments. “Then you won’t mind running a few errands for me?”
“Actually, Daddy.” She frowns. “I already have, like, two other things I need to do today. Maybe tomorrow, okay?”
My dad laughs. I give June the last folder and stand, offering her a hand when she struggles to get up in her heels. She looks up at me from under her lashes, her blue eyes shining with gratitude.
Her hand slips out of mine, and she waves, heading out the door once again.
“June, where are you going?” Avery questions then, just realizing her sidekick is leaving her behind.
“To do work,” June calls over her shoulder, setting the files on Denise’s desk and disappearing down the hall. I follow her out with a wave to my father, and Avery stays behind to give him a little more hell before her next spa appointment or whatever.
I stop briefly at Madeline’s office to get a quick influencer list update, and then I head straight for my office. I need an energy drink—or five—and then I need to churn and burn on storyboard approvals for five different campaigns.
A small container sits on my desk as I round my way to the back of it, along with an attached note that I see on closer inspection.
I pull the note off the top and lift the lid, revealing three fist-sized chocolate chip cookies.
Now these are 10/10 chocolate chip cookies.
-Mystery Woman
My smile is practically too big for my face—seriously, I should be ashamed of it—as I feverishly snatch up a cookie and take a taste.
Moist, chocolatey, and just a tiny pinch of salt—they’re fucking incredible.
God, that’s good. And just what I needed to get me through the next several hours.