Small Town Girl (Pink Springs 1)

After a long moment in the bathroom I get myself together and take a deep breath. I can’t stay in here all day letting my thoughts spiral, so I decide to face whatever is waiting on me and head back to my desk. I’ll do my best to play it cool until I’m told otherwise.

“I need you to put these binders together. This is an example one of how they should all look.” Katie hands me a blue binder. “I printed off all the pages, and they are in the copy room for you.” She points down the hallway. “They’re probably still printing, but everything you need will be in there too.”

“How many would you like me to make?” I snag my phone off my desk and slide it into my pocket.

“Let’s start with fifty for now.”

“I’ll go get to it.” When I get to the printer, it’s still going, so I pull my phone back out and send an email to the agency about this place not being a fit for me.

After that, I grab a stack of papers and take it back to my desk. I’m not there for ten minutes when Selma comes walking out of Bastian’s office. Her eyes look me up and down before she shakes her head and walks away. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding because I thought for half a second she might slap me or something. Not that I would blame her. I don’t know what I’d do in her situation.

My phone buzzes in my pocket so I go back to the copy room to grab some more binders. When I pull it out, I see I have an email response from the temp agency.

I’ll see about getting a replacement for you, but keep in mind you’ll be moved to the bottom of the pile as I told you before. Do not walk out or leave them high and dry. I will not allow this agency’s perfect record with Balman and Pierce to be marked. They are a big name in this city.

Yikes. I’m in trouble any way I look at it, so I decide to stick it out and put my phone back into my pocket. I’ll just stay clear of Bastian and keep my head down.

Just as I’m telling myself this, Bastian walks into the copy room and shuts the door behind him. When I hear the lock click into place, every part of my body goes on red alert. He turns around and stalks towards me, and my fight or flight kicks in. I back away from him until my back hits the far wall, and then I’m trapped.

“This isn’t happening,” I say, holding my hands in front of me.

To his credit, he stops when I say so, but I’m surprised when a look of confusion crosses his face.

“I’m sorry I kissed you at the office,” he admits, his voice soft and soothing. “You test my control even though I know this isn’t the right place.” He actually smirks as his eyes move over my body and he comes into my personal space. “But tonight you’re fair game.”

Before I know what I’m doing, my hand lashes out and makes contact with the side of his face. A stinging sensation pulses from my palm, and I try not to wince. “Ouch,” I say and shake out my hand. I had no idea slapping someone would hurt so much.

“What the hell?” He’s shocked as he brings his hand up to his reddening cheek.

“Are you serious right now? You’re married,” I hiss at him.

“I am not married.” He says it with so much conviction that it surprises me.

“Sure, and she didn’t just catch us kissing in your office,” I spit, and I’m not prepared for his reaction.

He throws his head back and lets out a laugh so long and deep that I’m confused. I suppose this is better than him throttling me, because I’m starting to think I’ve gotten something wrong. It’s not the first time I let my imagination run wild and get me into trouble.

“Selma is my sister, Bunny.”

My mouth falls open, and I stand there in shock. What am I supposed to say to that? Oh god, is he actually a good guy?

“I’m sorry?” It comes out more like a question, and I think my stomach drops to my feet.

“You use that word far too much.”

I start to say it again but quickly shut my mouth. I think he’s trying to hold back another wave of laughter, and I think about how this day keeps getting more embarrassing the longer I’m in his presence.

“About dinner—” he begins, and I cut him off.

“I know, it’s fine. We shouldn’t date anyway.” I give him a polite way to get out of his offer from before, but he looks at me like he thinks I’m crazy.