Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 686(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
I step back. The dread burning in the pit of my stomach flares into anger at this corporate beast who thinks he’s too good for my money.
“Excuse me?”
“I know this is disappointing, however—”
“First of all, hold the bullshit,” I snap.
He steps back like he’s not used to someone speaking over him.
Actually, given the way he reacted last night when he picked up the kids, I don’t think he’s used to people making his life difficult.
And is he using the same voice on me he used with the kids?
Well, sorry, Mr. Archer Man.
I don’t believe in being talked down to like I’m one of your son’s teenage friends.
“This might be a popular place, but does that mean you’re going to be charging other people more than you’re charging me?”
“No.” His eyebrows descend over his eyes.
“So, it’s first come, first serve, and I’m here first. Why isn’t that good enough?”
“That’s not what I said—”
“That’s exactly what you said.” I don’t know why this hits so hard, but it does. My chest hurts. “You don’t want to rent this place longer because it’s gotten a lot of interest. You want to replace me with someone who won’t cause you any weird phone calls.”
His jaw clenches as he stares at me. I wait for him to deny it or say something to redeem himself, but he just says, “I don’t want to invite more trouble into my company, Winnie. It wouldn’t be fair to my brothers, my business partners. They’ve suffered enough, right along with me.”
I hate that he sounds like he actually cares for them.
Sigh.
“I told you… my trouble isn’t the legal kind.”
“And I told you I had your father on the phone demanding to know, in no uncertain terms, where the hell you are.” Archer looks just as exasperated as I am now, his huge barrel chest rising and falling and his eyes like blue flint. “I’m trying to protect my company, Winnie. This isn’t anything against you, it’s simply—”
A bee lands on his shoulder, and he raises a hand to smack it away.
My jaw drops.
I did not just see that.
I’m not thinking when I throw myself forward, grabbing his giant wrist with my small hand, shielding the bee with my other hand.
The little bug flies off.
Archer looks at me like he’s fully convinced I’m insane.
We’re way too close. I can see details I never expected, like the tiny flecks of green in his eyes and lines around his mouth that might mean he can smile.
But he’s really, really not smiling now.
“What the hell was that?” he demands, an edge to his voice.
“Do you have any clue how much bees are struggling right now?” My voice is high, but I can’t control it. “And you… you were about to kill it without thinking.”
“Do I—what?” He blinks in shock.
“People keep destroying their habitats. We’re killing them with diseases and chemicals. You thought you were just swatting a pesky bug, but every drone is vital. Without bees to pollinate our flowers, we’ll be the ones starving someday. And no honey, oh my God,” I continue, my voice wavering. “That’s becoming as rare as gold. I don’t think you get how delicate bees are, how important—”
Archer frees himself from my hold, swearing under his breath.
Then, to my utter embarrassment, I burst into tears.
Not little tears, either.
Big, snotty dumb ones that have been building in my chest all day.
Before, I held them back while I was enjoying the sunshine and the bees. But this stupid fight, this intrusion with Archer, reminds me why real life is too much right now.
I stumble backward, almost falling, and cover my face with my hands.
Congratulations, I guess. He just proved I’m no queen bee.
I hate crying.
And I hate crying even more when this human wall walks forward and takes my wrists. I think he’s about to shake me to restore some control.
Only, his fingers are surprisingly gentle as he tugs my hands away from my face, hiding the pathetic mess I’ve become.
When I dare to look, there’s something almost tender in his eyes. An empathy I don’t expect.
No way. I have to be misreading things in my own scrambled brain.
This is Archer, Mr. Heartless Incarnate. King of Silent Threats and Barked Orders.
Jesus, Winnie, stop crying.
“Hey.” His voice crackles like a warm fire. Not fair. “Winnie, shit. I’m sorry about the bee.”
I want to tell him to let go, to walk away and leave me with my crazy self, but instead I choke on another sob. It’s so disgustingly wet I make a noise that’s half mewling cat and part parrot.
Yep. I’m about to die from mortification.
If the ground could open up and swallow me right now, that would be cool. I think I could start over in India or China on the other side of the world.
Wherever Dad has no reach.