Undisputed Read Online Free

only a day here or there. But, before too long, I was spending more time at her house than my own. When she came to me gushing that she’d been assigned the biggest news story of the decade, I wasn’t surprised when she then asked me to move in permanently. The very next day, I put my amazing condo in downtown Atlanta on the market and settled into Abby’s house.
    Occasionally over the years, I would find myself resenting Abby and her fantastic career, but then Connor would hug me for no reason or climb into bed with me on a school night and the resentment would instantly be replaced with contentment. How could I ever resent Abby for having given me the gift of a child’s unconditional love?
    Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I refocus on my work and begin reconciling accounts. I am engrossed in figuring out why the numbers aren’t balancing when there is a knock on the wall of my cubicle.
    Looking up, I am surprised to see most of the small department I work in crowded around with balloons and cake.
    “Happy Birthday,” they all say in unison.
    Taken aback by the gesture, I blink several times to keep the tears at bay and clear my throat. “Oh my gosh, y’all! How did you know it was my birthday?” I question genuinely.
    While I really enjoy working with the four people standing in front of me, I don’t have much interaction with them outside of work and had no idea they knew it was my birthday.
    Placing the cake on my desk, Mindy says, “A little birdie told us. What are your plans for tonight?” she asks with a grin.
    “Oh, well, you’re looking at them.” I reply somewhat grimly.
    Jake pushes towards me and shakes his head. “No way, Sidney! You can’t spend your thirtieth birthday at work by yourself. We’ve made reservations at the sushi place down the street. We’re taking you out for dinner and drinks. And maybe dancing afterwards,” he says while placing his hand on my shoulder and squeezing.
    I try to hide my wince at his contact and casually turn away from him so that his hand is forced to fall away from my shoulder. Lately, Jake’s been a little friendlier than usual, and I’m beginning to question his intentions.
    Sushi does sound amazing though, I reason. And I haven’t gone out in ages. But I have so much I need to do. I glance down at the to-do list I make each day. There are more things left undone than checked off.
    “Oh, no! Don’t even try to think of a way to get out of it,” Mindy counters when she sees me eyeing the list.
    With a mock sigh of frustration, I relent, “If y’all insist. I am not going to turn down sushi and drinks. What time’s dinner?”
    With an exaggerated squeal and a clap of her hands, Mindy replies, “Six fifteen. We’re going to have such a good time, Sid. Now, cut the cake. I’ve been dying for a piece all morning.”
    I look around at the smiling faces of the people I work with, and for once, I’m excited about the night to come.
     

     
    At exactly six p.m. on the dot, I push away from my computer and roll my stiff shoulders. With the promise of a night just for me, I flew through my work, getting everything on my list done in record time. I look down at it one more time before grabbing my phone and pulling up Abby’s contact info. The phone rings for what seems like an eternity before she finally picks up.
    “Hey, Ab, it’s me. I was just calling to make sure you really don’t mind me going out with friends from work tonight. If you need me to come home and help out with Connor instead, just let me know,” I tell her.
    After I’d agreed to go out, I sent Abby a text to let her know my plans and make sure she would be okay without me for the night. She responded enthusiastically, encouraging me to have a good time.
    Sighing on the other end of the line, Abby chides, “Sid, I can take care of my own son. It’s your birthday, for goodness’ sakes. Go. Have a good time. Meet a guy. Have random birthday sex or something.” She laughs