The Groom Wanted Seconds: A Novella Read Online Free Page B

Rebecca. Reminded him of how she tasted, how her skin felt under his palms, how she sounded when they made love.
    Damn. 
    “You’re still here?”
    Jeremy jerked his head up and swiveled around in his chair. He bit back his surprise at seeing George Griffin, the firm’s owner. He rarely saw George, and had only talked to him once, during the interview. The boss had become almost a mythical figure, a tall, thin man with a shock of white hair and a penchant for striped golf shirts, who strode through the office on a daily basis, greeting the long-time employees by name. If Jeremy got the job at the end of the summer, he’d be one of those who got the daily greeting. That, he told himself, would be worth everything he’d done to get here.
    Even losing Rebecca?
    Instead of answering that internal question, he focused on his boss. “I, uh, just wanted to get some more things finished up on this project. I know the design on these tanks for the Somerville water system project is critical—”
    “So is having a life.” He took a seat on the corner of Jeremy’s desk, one leg bent, foot resting on the trash bin, as if they’d been friends for years. “Listen, I admire dedication and all, but you’re here more than I am, and that’s saying a lot, considering how rarely I see the sun.”
    “I wanted to get ahead so the team can be ready to go on Monday.”
    “The team will be fine. You, however, need some time outside these walls. I remember working in a cubicle. Made me feel like a rat in a maze. So come on, let’s go get a bite to eat.”
    Jeremy hesitated. This was the boss talking, and a smart man said yes to whatever the boss wanted. Particularly when that boss owned one of the best engineering firms in the state. The same one Jeremy had worked his ass off to get into, even accepting an unpaid internship with no guarantee of a job at the end of the three months. The tank design project was spread out across his tiny desk, the first real chance to prove himself to the other engineers and to George. Jeremy weighed that against a chance to have a face-to-face with George.
    A no-brainer, even for an engineer. He rose and flicked off the computer. “Sure, I could eat.”
    They headed out of the office and over to a smoky pub on the corner. The scent of fried food and dark beer wafted in and out of the open door. Laughter, coupled with the undertow of announcers calling a baseball game, filled the air. George walked in, sent the bartender a wave, then headed for a table on the other side of the room. The pub had that authentic British feel, with thick wood paneling and deep red banquettes. A tall brunette waitress sashayed over to the table, sending George a flirting smile. “Back for more?”
    “Can’t get enough of the food here.”
    She laughed. “The food, or the company?”
    “Oh, definitely the company.” He grinned at her, then turned to Jeremy. “What do you want?”
    “Uh, Coke.”
    “It’s the end of the day. Have a beer with the boss.”
    The thought of an ice cold draft after a long, hot day made Jeremy’s mouth water. “Okay. You twisted my arm.” He turned to the waitress. “Sam Adams.”
    She nodded and jotted a note. “The usual, George?”
    “You know it.”
    She dropped a couple menus on the table, then crossed to the bar. By the time she returned with their beers, Jeremy had chosen a turkey sandwich, and George opted for fish and chips. “My doctor would tsk-tsk at this, but what he doesn’t see me eat never happened.” George winked. He leaned back in the chair, a man at ease in his own skin. “So, tell me, what made you want to work for me?”
    Jeremy straightened in his seat. “You have the best engineering firm on the Eastern Seaboard, sir, and have worked on projects that—”
    George waved that off. “I don’t want to hear the interview speech. I want to hear the in-your-gut reasoning. Working for me means long hours, weekends, and right now, no pay. So you’re giving up