He Loves Me Not (The Hawthornes of New York 1)

“I’m fine,” he repeats. “It’s been quite the day.”

“There’s still time to turn it around,” I volley back to lighten his mood.

He ignores me because he’s still on a mission to win his battle with the white spot on his tie.

“Maybe that’s a spot of cream?” I offer because I’ve worked for the man long enough to know that what’s in his coffee cup doesn’t always end up where it should.

He licks the pad of his thumb before rubbing it over the silk tie. I watch as the white spot disappears, only to be replaced with a saliva smudge.

“It must have happened when I was having coffee this morning.” He straightens the tie. “It was an important meeting. I may have been nervous.”

I’d bet all the money in my bank account that he was nervous since he’s practically shaking in his shoes right now.

Unsure of why I’m here, I try to get this meeting back on track. “Is there something I can help you with?”

He scrubs at the back of his neck. “I realize that I made a mistake, Bianca.”

I fold my hands in my lap. I don’t want to assume anything, but I’m hoping he’s about to tell me he picked the wrong person for the promotion.

Jim took a two-hour nap yesterday afternoon on the bench in reception. The only thing he’s mastering as the new senior project manager is the senior part.

The fact that he’s been retired for the past twenty years may be the reason he hasn’t found his stride yet. After all, he’s only been working here for a week.

“What mistake is that, John?” I plant a smile on my face.

He moves to stand in front of his desk. “You’ve worked hard since I hired you.”

I nod because damn right, I have .

“Any developer in this city would be lucky to have you on the payroll.”

“Thank you.”

A compliment always needs to be acknowledged, especially if the person offering it signs your paycheck.

“I got word that one of my competitors is interested in you.”

I do everything in my power not to jump up, dance in a circle, and ask who it is.

“I can’t let anyone steal you away.” John leans his hip against his desk. “I want you to take on the role of our senior project manager.”

I let go and dart to my feet. I reserve the dancing for later when I’m at home.

John cracks a half-smile. “I haven’t broken the news to Jim yet, so don’t tell anyone.”

This feels like a first-grade secret, but I’m on board. I place my index finger over my lips. “I’ll stay quiet until you tell him.”

Sweat peppers his forehead. “This may be the end of a lifelong friendship, but I have no choice. What else was I supposed to do? I had to give you the job or else.”

I was hoping for a few complimentary words about my outstanding ability and his confidence in the great work I’ve done in the past.

This hits different, so I ask. “Or else what?”

He laughs that off in a nervous cackle. “Oh, nothing, Bianca. All I meant is that you’re the future of this company, and…no…you’re going to take this company to great places in the future. Your youth and experience, and talent are great. Just know that you are a young, talented, and experienced woman who will do great things.”

Either this guy is a spot-on body double for my boss, or he just fumbled his way through a horribly memorized speech.

“Is everything all right, John?” I ask, wondering if my stepfather decided to stick his nose where it doesn’t belong again.

He wipes the bottom of his tie over his brow, leaving another stain. “Everything is A-OK. I need to go to reception to wake up Jim and give him the bad news. Wish me luck.”

My gaze trails him as he sprints out of his office. “Good luck, boss.”

He stops to turn and look at me. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off to celebrate? Grab a drink. You deserve it.”

I smile. “I’m going to do that.”

I will, right after I have a word with Thurston Marks.

Chapter 4

Bianca

“Your stepdaddy stepped out for the rest of the day.”

I cringe, wishing Thurston’s secretary could see the expression on my face. “Don’t call him that, Shirlene.”

She laughs on the other end of the phone before she lets out a stuttered cough. “Why not? That’s who he is to you.”

Legally, he’s more than that. Thurston Marks adopted me right after he married my mom. I didn’t want it to happen. I was twelve. My mom was my legal guardian, and she decided that she wanted her new husband to be our new father.

Viviana was ten. She went along with it happily.

I fought the good fight with a ten-hour hunger strike and a neon pink sign taped to my bedroom door with the words I’m not a Marks written on it.