TROUBLE 2 Read Online Free Page B

Amber about her ‘investor,’ and I know that Greg invested quite a substantial amount of money in the failing bakery. To just give it up isn’t good business.
    “Darlin’,” he sighs heavily. “I’ll make you a deal. Give me a year to get that place out of the fire and hire on a decent manager, and I’ll consider it. You have to understand, Amber is a terrible manager, and she’s not exactly accurate with her books.”
    Not accurate.
    “You mean she’s skimming off the top?”
    God, I can so see her doing that, even to the detriment of her business, if she wants something. Amber is about as trustworthy and straight as a crooked tire.
    “Yeah.”
    “Okay. Okay, one year, and you promise not to blackmail me anymore. I can’t go on wondering if you’d kick her to the curb if I leave. Even if she does deserve it,” I say.
    From now on we have to be honest, and to do that I need to know I can walk away without the consequences falling on someone else’s shoulders.
    “Deal. But Greg?”
    “Yeah, darlin’?”
    “Do not ever make me choose wedding stuff with your fiancée again. Ever.”
    He smiles with such a supreme look of arrogant victory before pulling me into his arms for a kiss that I’m left wondering if I’ve just been manipulated.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    By Thursday I am having serious withdrawals, and I consider calling Greg just to hear his voice and prove to myself that this is real and not a dream. Monday night, after our first real talk, ever, we’d made love — yes, that’s what I’m calling it now — before he’d taken me home. Tuesday morning I’d walked into the office to a message that he’d gone away on business and wouldn’t be back before Friday.
    Three days without him have been shockingly difficult. I’d fought so hard, and yet I am in exactly the place I didn’t want to be. I’m smitten with him.
    That first Greg-free morning had been the arrival of the first gift, a bouquet of roses so red I’d checked to be sure they were real and not like the plastic ones Nana keeps on her bureau.
    Wednesday it had been a pair of silver hoop earrings to replace the one I’d lost on the subway. Today I am staring and blushing at the contents of the Victoria’s Secret bag sitting on my desk.
    There’s no way in hell I would ever buy underwear that skimpy for myself, and obviously he knows it. The phone rings, and I drag myself out of my daydreams to answer with a crisp and hopefully not breathless “Hello?”
    “Hannah! Hi!”
    My eyes close and I force myself not to put the phone down in reflex, knowing she’ll only call back. While I’ve been walking on clouds and loving it, I’ve also been bombarded with wedding arrangements by Selena.
    “Hello, Miss Jeffries.”
    “Oh, don’t be so formal, Hannah. We’re friends now! Call me Lena. Anyhow, I’m calling to find out where we should have the reception. I looked at Starlight and The Carlton Grand, but they’re both so great I can’t decide which one I like best,” she laments, and I grind my teeth to keep from cursing.
    What difference will it make what I think? I’m just a lowly PA with a huge secret that makes us natural enemies. Not best friends.
    “I can’t say. They’re both great. Go with Starlight if you intend to leave for the airport the same day,” I say, willing myself to speak without sounding as if I’m in pain. “The Carlton if you’re staying over and catching a flight the day after.”
    Please let that be all, I beg silently as Lucy walks in, giving me a probing look. Selena trills happily, and I’m relieved when she rings off with a squeal of delight instead of another task for me.
    “You look like you just swallowed toxic waste.”
    “I’m fine. What can I do for you?” I ask, avoiding that can of worms.
    “Oh, nothing really, I’m just bored. Jack and Owens left for that conference in Chicago, and what with everything in the packing stages I’m at loose