Destiny Undone: The Complete Series Box Set by Amanda Heartley Read Free Book Online

me all day, she made me squirm a little harder in my chair when she said, “You do know old people have sex too, Gabe?” I nearly spat out my food, but she continued, “We didn’t just have it once to have you come along.” She ruffled my hair, “Now, enjoy your breakfast. I’m going to read the paper out by the pool. See you for dinner tonight?”
    “Yeah, that sounds wonderful,” I said, while I processed the new horror that was going on inside my head.
    “Awesome! Pick up some Chinese. I’m dying for some shrimp fried rice.” I nodded in silence and she shuffled out of the room and onto the patio in front of the swimming pool. I finished up my breakfast and watched the news for a minute or two before I walked back to my bathroom to brush my teeth, then I headed out the door.
    As I crossed the parking lot to the entrance, I could see that Sea Lab already had quite a few visitors waiting to get in—a sight that made me smile. I greeted the parents, their kids and held the door so the families could come in. I walked past the public area and stopped by the security office to see Chuck. He was on the phone when he spotted me, but gave me the “thumbs up” sign. All must be well then. Maybe the vandals have gotten bored with wrecking this place.
    Bobbie Jo was in the conference room, laying orientation folders out on the big wooden table. She smiled and waved. She seemed happy this morning, which was unusual for her unless she was with her dolphins. I was too—finally. Interviewing people sucked but training them was a lot less pressure, and a lot more fun—I liked teaching and I loved the animals here even more. Five minutes before ten o’clock, we were ready to go—all except for Pepper Anderson.
    While we waited for her to show up, Bobbie Jo took the opportunity to take everyone’s photo for the ID badges all Sea Lab employees and interns had to wear. At just a minute to ten, Pepper breezed into the conference room, looking like she’d just stepped off a runway. She wore big, white sunglasses, an off-the-shoulder sweater, denim shorts and high heels. On her arm was a huge bag and in one of her well-manicured hands, she held an iced coffee. “Hey y’all! Is this where the interns meet?”
    The curvy blonde looked so ridiculous that I instantly felt sorry for her. Not that she wasn’t beautiful—her hair fell around her shoulders like a wave of golden sunshine and despite her cherry red gloss, her lips had a perfect pout.
    “You must be Pepper. I’m Gabriel.” I shook her hand and introduced her to the rest of the crew. “This is Bobbie Jo, my assistant, and this is David, Tracee and Martin—all interns here at Sea Lab this summer.” She smiled and waved at everyone, but got a muted response—except for David who didn’t hide his appreciation for her beauty. “Bobbie Jo, why don’t you go ahead and take Pepper’s photo for her badge? Then you can print them while I get started with the boring stuff.”
    “Sure.” Bobbie Jo stood behind her camera and tripod that was focused on a blank wall of the conference room. “Over here please, Miss Anderson.”
    “Oh, please call me Pepper. Can I check my hair first? I didn’t know I’d be getting my picture taken.”
    “It’s perfect,” David piped up.
    “Aw, thanks.” Pepper stood against the wall with her hands on her hips and struck a perky pose.
    “Um, no. I can’t use a profile picture. Please face the camera full on…like you do at the DMV.” With a frown, she slung her shoulders back and stared at the camera. “Not a mug shot, Miss Anderson.” Pepper looked exasperated and embarrassed, but she managed a slight smile. Bobbie Jo said, “Thanks, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She gave me a look that said, “Really?” and left the five of us to chat.
    “First of all, congratulations for earning your spot as an intern with us. As you know, at the end of the six weeks, we may select one of you to stay on as a full-time Sea