Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Harmony, please stop this. Let’s go into my office.”
Putting my hand up to stop him, I shouted, “Stop! I’m finished here. Whatever that bastard had in this office, let his mistress take it all home with her.”
Walking around the desk, I made my way over to the door, not before stopping and looking into Margie’s tear-filled eyes.
Shaking my head, I leaned in closer to her. “I hope karma comes back around on you someday. He was married with a small child. But then again, I guess whores don’t care about that…do they?”
Pushing past Margie, I made my way through the office as everyone stared at me. Keeping my eyes directly on the elevator, I counted my steps.
Hitting the button, I stood there and concentrated on breathing in and out. I needed to get out of this building before I broke down.
When the doors opened, I rushed in and leaned against the back wall as I looked at Dan rushing to the elevator.
“Harmony! Please don’t do this!”
The doors shut and I pressed my hands to my mouth tightly.
Do not cry. He isn’t worth the tears. Find your inner strength, Harmony.
He isn’t worth the tears.
Chapter 6
Hidden Feelings
Preston
“Preston? Earth to Preston?”
Fingers snapped in front of my face as I was torn from my memory. “Sorry, Sherry. I was lost in thought.”
Rolling her eyes, she let out a frustrated sigh. “Have you gone and talked to the counselor like I said, honey?”
Pinching my eyes together, I glared at her. “I don’t need to talk to a shrink, Sherry.”
Raising an eyebrow, Sherry mumbled under her breath, “Yeah, you do.
“Listen, Preston,” she continued, “I’ve needed a fun night out and when Sandy said she was having a party with a few friends, I jumped all over it. With how important her dad is, the tighter we get with her, the better for you and for me.”
I pulled my head back in surprise. When Jake had asked if Sherry and I wanted to meet for dinner three months ago, I wasn’t sure. Now I knew why I wasn’t sure—Sherry and her obsession with Sandy’s father. Shaking my head, I asked, “How is getting in tight with Sandy going to be better for me?”
Giving me her naughty smile, Sherry winked at me. “Don’t you want to do something else with your life besides be a firefighter? I mean, look at Jake. He’s going to be a doctor, for Christ’s sake, Preston. A doctor.”
My mouth dropped open and I was about to lay into Sherry when the elevators opened straight into Sandy and Jake’s condo. The first time Jake introduced us to Sandy, I saw Sherry’s eyes light up and I knew I was in trouble. Ever since then, Sherry had been trying like hell to be Sandy’s BFF.
Stepping into the room, I looked around for Jake. We had been hanging out more and more and met for lunch when Jake had the extra time. I wanted to ask him about Harmony, but I didn’t want to seem desperate for information. It had been almost four months since I had seen her at the funeral. I’d casually asked a few times about her, and when Jake suggested I give her a call, I panicked for some reason.
Catching a glimpse of Jake across the room, I made my way over to him. He was my saving grace at these parties and he knew it. His smile from across the room told me he knew Sherry had dragged me here.
“Dude, what a surprise seeing you here tonight. I thought you were on shift.”
Looking down, I kicked my foot at nothing and said, “Nah, I took a couple days off.”
Slapping his hand on my back, he laughed. “Jesus, it’s about time. You’ve been working too hard. Let’s go out onto the balcony; I need some air.”
Following Jake out to the balcony, I quickly glanced around the room. Something felt…different. The hairs on my arms stood up and it felt as if someone was watching me.
Stepping out into the cool, fall night air, I inhaled a deep breath. The view of downtown Boston from Sandy and Jake’s condo was amazing. I could spend hours out here just thinking.
“How’s the residency going?” I asked as I took a sip of the beer I had grabbed on the way out.
“Busy as hell, but it’s going. I can’t complain.”
Jake took a sip of his beer as I shrugged my shoulders. “Hey, at least you got to do your residency here at Mass General.”
Laughing, Jake shook his head. “Yeah, with the help of someone.”
Pulling my head back, I asked, “No shit? Sandy’s dad?”
Pointing at me, he said, “Ding! Ding! Ding! You got it. Sandy worked her daddy some and managed to get me on at Mass General.”
Shaking my head, I said, “Damn, dude, I’m sorry. I know you didn’t want to use your parents or Sandy’s dad to pull strings.”