Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“I’m proud of both of you and all you’ve brought to my firm, and this was an incredibly hard decision, but…” He looks between us, and I swear I’m tempted to grab his neck and shake the decision out of him.
“I have to go with the woman who toils tirelessly, knows marketing like nobody else, and she—well, he…James Calloway.”
WHAT? “Sir, did you mean to say Taryn Stone?”
“Don’t be upset about this Miss Stone,” he says, walking over to his freezer. “Your time will come, and I bought you a box of red popsicles as a consolation prize today. I used to work as an ice cream man, long ago. Back then, there were no refrigerators…”
I can’t pretend to be gracious, so I leave his office mid-spiel and rush to the elevator.
“Wait, Taryn.” James grabs my elbow from behind. “Wait.”
“Can you hold off on gloating for at least an hour, please?”
“I wasn’t about to gloat,” he says, but there’s a gleam in his eyes. “I just want you to know that this promotion won’t change anything between us.”
“There’s never been ‘anything’ between us.”
“Exactly.” He smirks. “You’ll keep working hard, so will I, and I hope you won’t take me being your new boss personally.”
“As long as you don’t go on a power trip.”
“I would never.”
The doors glide open, and I step inside.
He doesn’t join me, though.
“I’m going to stay up here and look into how I want my new office furnished,” he says. “Since you mentioned needing an hour to mope, I’d like a coffee with two sugars and a splash of caramel when you’re finished.”
“You have a personal assistant for that.”
“I’ve just decided to make you my backup.”
I glare at him. “This better be one of your stupid little games…”
“Don’t worry, I’m not knocking you down a pay grade. I’m increasing your pay by thirty percent.”
“I’d rather keep my same job at the same rate.”
“That’d be silly, Miss Stone,” he says. “You’ll get to spend more time under me this way. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”
The doors shut before I can jump off and strangle him.
ONE (B)
TARYN
Georgia (Cousin)
Congrats on your big promotion! I know you got it!
How are you celebrating being the new CEO?
Call me so I can serenade you for the big WIN!
I wipe away tears as I read the messages. I don’t have the heart to tell anyone the news yet; I need to finish processing it myself.
Walking up my condo’s steps, I slip inside and hit the lights.
I drop my purse to the floor in shock.
My living room has been transformed from its usual grey and black decor into a stunning emerald green and silver winter wonderland.
A golden miniature train whistles along tracks that travel down the hall and into the kitchen.
Strands of gleaming garland line every inch of my mantle, and perfectly wrapped red gifts are stacked in the corner.
A fluffy pine tree stands guard by the windows, with glass ornaments that hang amidst the special “memory flakes” I hang every year.
In the months after the tragic train accident that cost me my parents, students at my high school wrote notes about me and little things about our hometown to help me remember events. Even though their words never sparked reminiscent magic, I reread them every year.
Walking to the tree, I search for the ornament that features a locket from my closest guy friend, Cameron.
His words are etched in a shiny cursive:
I'll always be there for you, like I know you'll always be there for me. If neither of us have found love by thirty, promise you'll marry me.
I turn it over and head to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of wine.
Then, I snag a bag of potato chips and plop onto the couch.
Ordering a garlic-free pizza and a chocolate cake to make myself feel better, I curl into a ball on the couch and search for something to watch on TV.
Knock! Knock! Knockkk!
“Coming!” I push off the blankets and head to the door. “Coming!”
I’m expecting to see a delivery guy, but it’s James.
"What the hell are you doing here?” I ask.
"I thought you might want some company after what happened today."
“Company from you?"
"Yes."
I start to slam the door, but he wedges his foot inside the frame.
“I bought your favorite wine and a cheese platter,” he says.
“Leave it on the steps and walk away.” I groan. “I have Georgia to talk to.”
“She’s busy dealing with your other cousin’s wedding planning tonight, so I'm sure you can’t talk to her for a while.”
"I don't want to talk to my new boss about it either."
"He’s here to keep you company,” he says. “He also just told Human Resources to give you a fifty percent raise."
"I thought it was thirty."
"He realized that wasn't enough." He eyes the bottle in my hand. "I really did think Mr. Adeleman was going to pick you."