Rough Edges Read Online Free

you have your column done on Chat Addiction?”
    Relieved there were no more questions, she let out a long breath. She could always count on Richard to get right back to business. “Yes, I do. I’ll get it on your desk in a few moments.”
    “Good.”
    But before she could leave, he came around his desk, embraced her in a big hug and then turned to shuffle some papers. “I want that column pronto,” he said in a gruff voice.
    She somehow managed not to cry. “Yes, sir,” she said and left his office. Printing it only took a few moments and then she was back. Thankfully, he was on the phone and he only nodded as she laid it down.
    Getting through the day at work was better than sitting at home thinking about everything. At least it kept her mind busy. She was munching on a cracker at lunchtime when her cell rang. She smiled when she saw it was her best friend, Summer.
    “Hey.”
    “Hey, girlfriend! I thought I could come crash your pad this eve with some wine and Chinese takeout. What ya say?”
    “I’d really like that.” Becca paused and knew she had better say something about the purple mark on her face before Summer saw her. “Nick showed up last night.”
    “Oh? Please tell me you shut the door in his face. Or better yet, did you go after him with a pair of wire cutters? That would so make my day.”
    She laughed. “Yeah. That’s a nice thought, but no.” It still took everything she had to admit to his abuse, even though she knew it wasn’t her fault. She took a deep breath and said, “He shoved his way inside—”
    “What?”
    “Yeah. He—”
    16
    Rough Edges
    “Hit you. Didn’t he? The bastard! Are you okay? And why the hell didn’t you call me?”
    “Yeah he did. But it’s okay. He’s with the police now. I didn’t want to stay home and I didn’t want to bother you.” That was a lame answer, but how was she supposed to explain that she only wanted Jake instead of her best friend? She dropped her head in her hand.
    “You didn’t want to bother me? Are you serious? Girl, you know better. I’ll take care of you tonight.”
    “That would be great. I’ll be home about six.”
    “It’s a date,” Summer replied and hung up.
    The rest of the day flew by but she was glad when work was over. Matty was driving her batty and several other coworkers whispered until she walked up. She was putting her laptop into its bright pink case when she felt eyes on her. She turned to see Clay leaning casually against the cubicle wall.
    “You want to get some coffee?” he asked.
    He was a good-looking guy, brown hair, blue eyes that usually twinkled with mischief. But his expression was solemn and he had been avoiding her all day. “I have a date,” she said. “With Summer.”
    His tense expression eased a bit and he nodded. “Is there anything I can do?”
    He had been pursuing her for the last several months. Especially when he found out she was having marital problems. But she didn’t want to get involved with someone else and especially not someone at work. Even though girls seemed to like Clay and he was a decent guy, she had never been attracted to him. Not in a girl-wants-boy kind of way. She always felt more like his sister.
    “No, thanks. I’ll manage.”
    “If you need anything…all you have to do is ask.”
    It was a shame she didn’t feel more for him. “I know.”
    He looked almost defeated before he nodded and walked off. Frowning, she gathered her purse and laptop bag and headed out the door.
    17
    Ashlynn Pearce

Chapter Two
    Her doorbell rang. “It’s me!” Summer yelled from the other side of the door.
    Becca opened it and smiled. “About time. I was beginning to think you stood me up.”
    “Oh, you wouldn’t believe the people at the liquor store,” Summer said as she breezed past her in heels and a short denim skirt. “Then some guy was talking to me, and he was so funny,” she said, a smile curving her lips.
    “Did he ask you out?” That was a redundant question