Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Jack is seated at the head of the dining table and doesn’t notice when we enter the room. He’s staring down at his cell phone, a pinched expression on his face. He shakes his head and runs a hand along his five o’clock shadow.
His shirt is partly unbuttoned, with his sleeves rolled again. I didn’t realize just how mouthwatering rolled sleeves were, but here we are.
Three places are set at the table. Jack and the ones on either side of him.
The table seats twelve but he’s positioned Macy and me in the seats closest to him. Macy climbs onto the chair on his right. Sensing her there, Jack looks up from his phone and winks to acknowledge her. He rises as I approach, looks me up and down, then pulls my chair out for me.
“You look lovely this evening,” he whispers in my ear, making the small hairs on the back of my neck stand.
“Thank you, Jack.”
The amount of food being delivered to the table by the housekeeper causes my head to spin, but Macy and Jack appear oblivious to the size of the feast. I’m used to a whole meal consisting of a bowl of soup, but here, that’s the first course.
“Is everything alright? You’re not eating much.” Jack peers closely at me, worry creasing his forehead.
“Oh, yes. It’s all very good. I’m just not used to this much food. It’s a bit overwhelming.”
“You need to eat. Macy has a lot of energy. But, then, you’re not that old either, are you?”
“No. I guess not. I’ll be twenty-two next month.”
“Yay! We can have a birthday party,” Macy cheers.
“Maybe so,” Jack answers her but keeps his eyes on me. He leans back on the chair and runs a finger along his chin as he stares at me. I feel my skin flush under his scrutiny, and something blooms within me as he leans forward. “I’d like to speak with you once Macy’s in bed. Is that alright?”
“Of course, you’re the boss.”
“Hmm” is all he says as he goes back to his dinner.
My heart leaps into my throat. What could he possibly want to talk to me about? Have I done something to screw things up again? I spend the rest of the meal fretting over endless worst-case scenarios.
Now that I’ve walked out of my apartment, I wouldn’t even have a place to stay if he fired me. No, there’s no way I said or did anything to warrant firing me on my first day. I’m just being silly.
“Excuse me, boss.” Rory enters the dining room, hesitating just a few paces away. Jack’s nostrils flare and he glares at the other man.
“Not during dinner, Rory. I already told you that before. No business at dinner time,” Jack says through gritted teeth.
Rory’s ears turn red, and he begins pulling at his collar. “Oh, crap. I’m sorry, boss. I just wanted to let you know that I’m going home now, but everything’s taken care of.”
Jack gives him a dismissing wave and doesn’t even look his way. “Right. You can leave now.”
“Good night.” Rory nods and scurries out of the room.
“You don’t like having your dinner interrupted?” I ask.
He turns to me and says, “I don’t allow anyone to interfere with family time. Macy needs stability in her life. This family comes first.”
I never would have expected something so sweet to come from such a big, tough man and a rush of warmth comes over me. I wish I had someone in my life who cared that strongly about me. I suspect that Jack noticed my reaction because he reaches over, takes my hand, and says, “You’re part of our family now, too.”
We finish dinner and Jack takes Macy outside to play for a few minutes before bed. I follow them out and sit on the patio. It’s dark outside but the garden is illuminated by rows of vintage-style gas lamps.
It’s so cozy out here, and I smile because…who would have thought I’d ever live in a place like this?
I watch as Jack and Macy toss a ball and, for the first time, I see the softer, gentler side of him come to the surface. He laughs and cheers when Macy catches the ball and comically stumbles when she tosses one right into his hand.
“You’ve got quite a fast ball,” he tells her and her face lights up.
I’ve never seen anything like this before and could watch them for hours. Sadly, Macy needs to be bathed and put to bed, so they end their game and join me on the patio.
“Put the ball away and go with Jessie.”
“Good night, Uncle Jack,” she replies and he leans down so she can kiss his cheek.
“Jessie, meet me in the lounge after.”
“Okay.” I nod and escort Macy back to the nursery.
I don’t want to rush through Macy’s bedtime routine, but I’m on pins and needles wondering what Jack wants to talk about. He didn’t seem angry, but in the short time I’ve known him, I’ve seen him go from calm to practically homicidal in a matter of seconds. There’s no telling what’s going on inside his mind.