Read Online Tidal Patterns (Golden Shores Book 1) by Rachelle Paige - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Rachelle Paige
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asked.
Her tone wasn’t unfriendly or cold but it was direct and short. He reconsidered. It didn’t seem like the time to ask her out, even for something as innocuous as lunch at their place of business.
“I,” he stopped to clear his throat. “I was going over some of the latest contracts I’ve had from events and I wanted to talk to you. I think there is a lot of room for growth.”
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. When she made no move to reply, he continued.
“If you have time today, I thought we could discuss some opportunities that might help,” he continued.
“Did he put you up to this?”
He furrowed his brow. “Who?”
“Mr. Cade. Did he put you up to this?”
“Fr— Mr. Cade? What do you mean?“
He stopped himself just in time. Referring to his boss in such a casual way didn’t endear him to others at the resort. Months ago, he made a conscience effort to keep his relationship with his boss low-key.
She quirked an eyebrow but didn’t immediately comment.
“Look, I’m just trying to offer some help, that’s it. If you don’t want it, fine.” He cringed. His tone was a bit angrier than he would have liked, but his frustration from the morning slipped out. She hadn’t been his target, but from the look on her face and her downcast eyes, he’d hit a bulls-eye.
“You know what this is supposed to be my day off. I came in for an interview and now…” She sighed but didn’t look up at him.
She’d been interviewing for the job? Guilt washed over him. He clenched his right hand into a fist until the fingernails bit into the meat of his palm. Was it too late to tell her that he had applied too? He hadn’t intended subterfuge. But how could he bring it up now?
“Can we talk business some other time? I need to get out of here,” she said, barely above a whisper.
He watched her uncross her arms and put her face in her hands. He’d hardly have recognized her. She’d seemed perennially happy and yet either he or Frank Cade had somehow extinguished her light. She looked helpless and almost broken. He had no words or response.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll see myself out.”
Stalking across the room, he opened the door and shut it behind himself. He kicked himself for the inopportune moment. And for his own stupidity.
He drove to the public beach on the south end of the island. He never made time to get over there often enough. If anything, he preferred this beach to St. Simons. No matter how hot or cold it might be on the island, the beach with its cool breezes and warm water was always the perfect temperature. He parked his car in the lot, turned off the engine, and sat.
Did I just screw up my chance with her? Why didn’t I tell her? What will she think now, if I do get the job?
The palm trees hugging the edge of the parking lot swayed in the wind and the sky darkened further. His stomach churned, suddenly as choppy as the waves on the ocean. He had to accept the consequences of his inaction.
Maybe she’s better off if I do get the job. If she broke so easily when dealing with Frank, she’d implode working closely with him. It had happened to far more seasoned colleagues.
Reasoning didn’t ease his indigestion. But he had to distance himself. If Frank intended to promote him, he’d be her boss. He had to start putting separation between them and he’d need to start over with her to earn the respect a boss needed.
Chapter Five
The low hum of the copy machine in the windowless room called to Mark like a siren. White noise lured him to sit in a chair and rest for a minute. Yawning, he forced his eyes open and did a couple of jumping jacks to wake up. At last the job finished, grabbing the hot stack of papers off the tray, he quickly counted the pages, ensuring everything had been copied.
At least I’m not reading these tonight . Narrowing his eyes, he couldn’t make out any of the words or sentences. It all read like a jumble of letters with no rhyme or
Her tone wasn’t unfriendly or cold but it was direct and short. He reconsidered. It didn’t seem like the time to ask her out, even for something as innocuous as lunch at their place of business.
“I,” he stopped to clear his throat. “I was going over some of the latest contracts I’ve had from events and I wanted to talk to you. I think there is a lot of room for growth.”
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. When she made no move to reply, he continued.
“If you have time today, I thought we could discuss some opportunities that might help,” he continued.
“Did he put you up to this?”
He furrowed his brow. “Who?”
“Mr. Cade. Did he put you up to this?”
“Fr— Mr. Cade? What do you mean?“
He stopped himself just in time. Referring to his boss in such a casual way didn’t endear him to others at the resort. Months ago, he made a conscience effort to keep his relationship with his boss low-key.
She quirked an eyebrow but didn’t immediately comment.
“Look, I’m just trying to offer some help, that’s it. If you don’t want it, fine.” He cringed. His tone was a bit angrier than he would have liked, but his frustration from the morning slipped out. She hadn’t been his target, but from the look on her face and her downcast eyes, he’d hit a bulls-eye.
“You know what this is supposed to be my day off. I came in for an interview and now…” She sighed but didn’t look up at him.
She’d been interviewing for the job? Guilt washed over him. He clenched his right hand into a fist until the fingernails bit into the meat of his palm. Was it too late to tell her that he had applied too? He hadn’t intended subterfuge. But how could he bring it up now?
“Can we talk business some other time? I need to get out of here,” she said, barely above a whisper.
He watched her uncross her arms and put her face in her hands. He’d hardly have recognized her. She’d seemed perennially happy and yet either he or Frank Cade had somehow extinguished her light. She looked helpless and almost broken. He had no words or response.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll see myself out.”
Stalking across the room, he opened the door and shut it behind himself. He kicked himself for the inopportune moment. And for his own stupidity.
He drove to the public beach on the south end of the island. He never made time to get over there often enough. If anything, he preferred this beach to St. Simons. No matter how hot or cold it might be on the island, the beach with its cool breezes and warm water was always the perfect temperature. He parked his car in the lot, turned off the engine, and sat.
Did I just screw up my chance with her? Why didn’t I tell her? What will she think now, if I do get the job?
The palm trees hugging the edge of the parking lot swayed in the wind and the sky darkened further. His stomach churned, suddenly as choppy as the waves on the ocean. He had to accept the consequences of his inaction.
Maybe she’s better off if I do get the job. If she broke so easily when dealing with Frank, she’d implode working closely with him. It had happened to far more seasoned colleagues.
Reasoning didn’t ease his indigestion. But he had to distance himself. If Frank intended to promote him, he’d be her boss. He had to start putting separation between them and he’d need to start over with her to earn the respect a boss needed.
Chapter Five
The low hum of the copy machine in the windowless room called to Mark like a siren. White noise lured him to sit in a chair and rest for a minute. Yawning, he forced his eyes open and did a couple of jumping jacks to wake up. At last the job finished, grabbing the hot stack of papers off the tray, he quickly counted the pages, ensuring everything had been copied.
At least I’m not reading these tonight . Narrowing his eyes, he couldn’t make out any of the words or sentences. It all read like a jumble of letters with no rhyme or
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