By
Sierra Rose
Copyright © 2015 by Sierra Rose
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Chapter 1
Britt Collier wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do, but there was no time to waste in overthinking it. She raced to her door in time to catch Jack, the on-again boyfriend she’d just reunited with passionately. He was on his way to St. Teresa’s hospital to be with his father, her boss, who had suffered a heart attack. She caught him by the arm.
“Jack, I know you have to go. Do you want me to, you know, go along with you?”
“I would but...I want to see how serious it is first, if that’s okay.”
“Whatever you need is okay! I just don’t want to intrude. Just know I’m here for you.”
“Thanks, Britt. I’ll call you.”
He kissed her forehead and shuffled out of her apartment. He looked so different, so diminished from a few hours earlier when he’d come to her and they’d reconciled. By all rights this ought to have been one of the happiest nights of his life. His band had scored a studio recording contract with a major label and he and Britt had found a way to work out their differences. Instead, he was rushing to the hospital in hope of finding his father still alive. Jack’s father was an eminent businessman who had recently taken over Creative Consulting, the firm where Britt was the bookkeeper. Mr. Fitzsimmons was supposed to be slowing down, reducing his workload per doctor’s orders. He was a dynamo, a man to be reckoned with and not one to while away the hours on the golf course. As a result, he may have overextended himself and jeopardized his health.
Britt’s heart ached for Jack right now. She knew how deeply he cared for his father, how close they were. He had even come to work at the consulting firm as a marketing department just to be supportive of his father’s career transition, even though Jack had an amazing career in freelance graphic design already. Knowing the level of respect and devotion between them it was unimaginable the amount of pain Jack would be in. She wanted desperately to comfort him, to be by his side when he heard any news good or bad. But they had been together such a short time and prior to that their relationship had been a secret because of Britt’s position as his father’s employee—that it would be an awkward time to introduce herself to his family and sort of force her way in during a difficult situation. It would no doubt be simpler for him if she stayed away...fewer explanations necessary. But that did nothing to satisfy her need to be there for him and support him during his time of need.
Totally conflicted, she ate three cookies and found herself no nearer a decision. The last thing on Earth Britt wanted to do was make this any harder for Jack. She just wanted to hold his hand, stroke his hair, and reassure him that she was right there to help him every step of the way.
She tried to watch TV, but kept thinking of Jack. She texted him to let him know that if he needed anything, she was just a message away. He replied that the doctor was evaluating his dad and they’d know more after some test results were back. Eventually she fell asleep waiting to hear an update. In the morning, she checked her phone and found there was no message waiting from J
ack. She dressed in her plainest, most comfortable pantsuit and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She didn’t feel like fussing over her appearance on today of all days. She gathered up the paperwork she’d brought home the night before, full of insurance forms and qualifications, and made her way to the office.
Marj, her best friend, brought her a cup of coffee.
“Have you heard?” Marj asked.
Britt shook her head in what she hoped was an innocent manner since no one at the office knew about she and Jack and their involvement with each other.
“Boss man had a heart attack. I guess it was major. He’s in surgery right now at St. Teresa’s.”
“Really? That’s awful.”
“I know, Luke told me. I guess he talked to Jack earlier.”
“I didn’t see Jack this morning so he must be with his dad.”
“Yeah. I hope the guy’s okay. He’s not the creep that last bastard was.”
“Right. He’s been pretty solid. Nice enough, never tried to grope me. I just hope he’s all right. He’s always been really nice to me.”
“Funny, I thought you disliked him. You avoid him a lot.”
“Really? I guess I never noticed.”
“You hid from him.”
“It’s a bad habit. I probably just didn’t want to tell him I’m running behind on compliance with the new insurance company.”
“Classic avoidance. You should be more confident. You’re the best bookkeeper this company has.”
“I’m the only one, Marj. That’s hardly encouraging.”