Read Online Erica Lucke Dean - To Katie with Love by Erica Lucke Dean - Free Book Online
Authors: Erica Lucke Dean
Ads: Link
around in my head. I pushed a CD in and dialed up the volume to a ridiculous level. Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” blasted out of the speakers. Nothing like a good symphony to settle the nerves. Right. Bad choice. But it was all I had.
Why hadn’t I just stayed home Friday night and read a book? Things would have been much less complicated. I’d be his banker and wouldn’t be swathed in his unforgettable scent or still tasting the peppermint on my lips.
I was a creature of habit… most of the time. Or maybe I was developing new habits? Like kissing Cooper Maxwell. Was that really such a bad habit to get into?
Yes. It was. I had to put a stop to… whatever we were doing. He had his usual appointment at ten thirty the next morning. It was silly to think he would cancel just because he’d seen me today. At least I hoped he wouldn’t.
I drove straight home and immediately took a shower to wash off any traces of Cooper. I didn’t want to think about how much of him had worked its way under my skin.
Trying to wash that away was futile.
JUST ANOTHER TUESDAY
I woke up earlier than usual on Tuesday, well rested but restless just the same. I’d dreamt about being locked in the vault with Cooper, and the things we did there would have made Vicky blush.
I forced myself to focus on the day ahead. I even forced myself to not think his name. I tried to dress casually, but I found myself tossing outfit after outfit onto my bed, completely dissatisfied with every article of clothing I owned. I settled on a long black cashmere sweater dress—something I’d bought quite a while ago but never worn—so I could wear my new boots with it. I knew wearing the scary heels again was dangerous, but I was living dangerously lately.
Even after taking the time to dry and style my impossible hair, I got to work early and closed myself in my office again. Silvia was back to normal. She didn’t hover outside my door, as though she was satisfied I’d gone to lunch with him yesterday. She also seemed to approve of my outfit, which was somewhat unsettling given her propensity toward the unconventional. After all, she was the one who thought I looked hot dressed like Julia Roberts in the opening scenes of Pretty Woman .
I wandered out of my office at nine to send a fax. I caught the tail end of a conversation between June and Phil that managed to perk my mood right up.
“Phil, you’re only one step away from being a full-blown asshole.” She shook her finger inches from his nose.
I had never heard June so angry. I’d always thought she let people push her around too much. She’d obviously been holding back.
“Are you sure it’s a whole step?” Silvia piped up as she rounded the corner. “I would have said he’s closer to a half-step away.”
I didn’t think Silvia knew what he’d done either, but it didn’t matter. It was apparently Pick-on-Phil day. That was perfectly fine with me, since yesterday’s tension had apparently been lifted. As soon as June turned her back, Phil put his finger to his temple like a gun and squeezed his thumb like the trigger, jerking his head back and rolling his eyes dramatically.
“Katie, you look extra nice today. Is that a new dress?” June asked. “Are those the boots you got for your birthday?”
I laughed. “Yes to both. New dress, same boots. I don’t know if I should have been so brave. I may need a ride to the emergency room if I wear these all day.”
“Hey, Katie,” Vicky purred as she joined the congregation surrounding the fax machine. “Your hair looks good. You must have gotten up really early today. I wonder why?” She winked and flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Wanna see my new piercing? I showed everyone else yesterday while you were at lunch.”
“You showed everyone?” I darted a glance at Phil, who shook his head vigorously. I smirked at her. “I was certain it was someplace a little too private for public viewing.”
“It is. Trust me. You
Why hadn’t I just stayed home Friday night and read a book? Things would have been much less complicated. I’d be his banker and wouldn’t be swathed in his unforgettable scent or still tasting the peppermint on my lips.
I was a creature of habit… most of the time. Or maybe I was developing new habits? Like kissing Cooper Maxwell. Was that really such a bad habit to get into?
Yes. It was. I had to put a stop to… whatever we were doing. He had his usual appointment at ten thirty the next morning. It was silly to think he would cancel just because he’d seen me today. At least I hoped he wouldn’t.
I drove straight home and immediately took a shower to wash off any traces of Cooper. I didn’t want to think about how much of him had worked its way under my skin.
Trying to wash that away was futile.
JUST ANOTHER TUESDAY
I woke up earlier than usual on Tuesday, well rested but restless just the same. I’d dreamt about being locked in the vault with Cooper, and the things we did there would have made Vicky blush.
I forced myself to focus on the day ahead. I even forced myself to not think his name. I tried to dress casually, but I found myself tossing outfit after outfit onto my bed, completely dissatisfied with every article of clothing I owned. I settled on a long black cashmere sweater dress—something I’d bought quite a while ago but never worn—so I could wear my new boots with it. I knew wearing the scary heels again was dangerous, but I was living dangerously lately.
Even after taking the time to dry and style my impossible hair, I got to work early and closed myself in my office again. Silvia was back to normal. She didn’t hover outside my door, as though she was satisfied I’d gone to lunch with him yesterday. She also seemed to approve of my outfit, which was somewhat unsettling given her propensity toward the unconventional. After all, she was the one who thought I looked hot dressed like Julia Roberts in the opening scenes of Pretty Woman .
I wandered out of my office at nine to send a fax. I caught the tail end of a conversation between June and Phil that managed to perk my mood right up.
“Phil, you’re only one step away from being a full-blown asshole.” She shook her finger inches from his nose.
I had never heard June so angry. I’d always thought she let people push her around too much. She’d obviously been holding back.
“Are you sure it’s a whole step?” Silvia piped up as she rounded the corner. “I would have said he’s closer to a half-step away.”
I didn’t think Silvia knew what he’d done either, but it didn’t matter. It was apparently Pick-on-Phil day. That was perfectly fine with me, since yesterday’s tension had apparently been lifted. As soon as June turned her back, Phil put his finger to his temple like a gun and squeezed his thumb like the trigger, jerking his head back and rolling his eyes dramatically.
“Katie, you look extra nice today. Is that a new dress?” June asked. “Are those the boots you got for your birthday?”
I laughed. “Yes to both. New dress, same boots. I don’t know if I should have been so brave. I may need a ride to the emergency room if I wear these all day.”
“Hey, Katie,” Vicky purred as she joined the congregation surrounding the fax machine. “Your hair looks good. You must have gotten up really early today. I wonder why?” She winked and flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Wanna see my new piercing? I showed everyone else yesterday while you were at lunch.”
“You showed everyone?” I darted a glance at Phil, who shook his head vigorously. I smirked at her. “I was certain it was someplace a little too private for public viewing.”
“It is. Trust me. You
Similar Books
