Getting Dumped Read Online Free

stuck my hand out numbly, pleased at least that it was clean. I gave him my most pleasant smile. “You can just call me the spawn of Satan,” I offered.
    Still frowning, Collin shook my hand with a firm grip. “My apologies for the outburst, Ms. Shultz, but can you explain to me why the director of accounting and finance for Albright County is threatening to shut down this landfill?”
    “What?” I gasped.
    “According to his telephone message, he’s calling the Department of Environmental Quality because CO and CH4 levels at the Albright County landfill make the working conditions unsuitable for employees with asthma. Namely, you.”
    “But I don’t have asthma!” I protested.
    “And I don’t have unsafe levels of carbon monoxide or methane at this landfill, Ms. Shultz, and I’m rather brassed off that this wanker would suggest I do. I monitor all gas levels and chemical activity here. If there’s even the slightest blip—”
    “I’m sure this is all a big misunderstanding,” I said, wringing my hands. Collin winced, and I looked down to see I was still gripping his hand. Tightly.
    I dropped his hand and wondered what the hell Daniel was up to. He’d always been a protective kind of guy, but this—
    “Look, just calm down, keep your pants on, and let me get to the bottom of this,” I said.
    “My pants,” he snapped, “are not your concern.”
    “In that case, I won’t tell you you’ve got a big mustard stain right next to your fly.”
    I could tell he was trying hard not to look, but it was true. I folded my arms over my chest and took a breath. “I’m sure the working conditions here are perfectly fine. Let me talk to my – to, um, the director of accounting and finance and I’ll see if I can clear things up.”
    “Please do.” Collin eyed me carefully. “Again, I apologize for the outburst. I take my work here very seriously, and the viability of this facility is crucial to the well-being of the community.”
    “I understand,” I said, nodding. “I take my work very seriously, too.”
    He regarded me with a curious look. “Today is your first day on the job?”
    Beside me, Burt cleared his throat. “She’s already better than half the guys out there. Ran that compactor like a pro.”
    Collin’s expression was wary. “Interesting,” he finally said. “Quite the coincidence, really.”
    I swallowed hard, not sure exactly what was so interesting or coincidental. Whatever it was, Collin didn’t seem pleased.
    He continued staring, suspicion darkening his features. Finally, he gave a curt nod.
    “I need to upload a new GPS grid on your machine tomorrow and run a quick diagnostic,” he said. “I’d like access to it first thing in the morning.”
    “Sure. Whatever you need.”
    Behind me, Burt cleared his throat. “Maybe that would be a good chance for you to give her an overview of our GPS system, Collin,” he suggested. “You could show her how the lifts are structured, how the elevations are staked, all that good stuff.”
    Collin looked at me again, his expression unreadable. “I suppose that would be sensible.”
    “It’s a date,” I heard myself say. Beside me, Ernie giggled.
    “It’s a date,” Collin repeated, looking as though he’d rather poke himself in the eye with a crochet hook. “Ladies, Burt, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a flare station to check. It’s been lovely meeting you, Ms. Shultz.”
    “Please, it’s JJ.”
    “JJ,” he repeated, his gaze holding mine for the briefest moment. Then he turned and headed for the door.
    When he was gone, Ernie squealed and grabbed Burt’s shoulder.
    “Oh my, did you see that? He was practically ogling her! I’ve never even seen him look twice at Green Barbie even though she’s perfectly lovely and always wears those tiny little skirts, but JJ’s just much more striking with all that beautiful red hair and those lovely blue eyes and such spunk—”
    “Um, hello, I’m right here?” I interrupted,