My Never: a novella by Renee Swann Read Free Book Online

up.
“DeGaris?”
    “Ah-ha.”
    The elevator doors
opened.
    He let me pass. “I
remember how heartbroken he was when you two split.”
    “The feeling was mutual.”
    He was quiet for a
moment, his eyes searching my face. “Sorry. But he’s never stopped loving you.”
    The doors opened again.
    My head swivelled in his
direction. “You’ve spoken to Troy? I wasn’t aware you two were still friends.”
I fished my key out and swiped it through the reader.
    He nodded once, solemn.
    “You knew he had a
child?”
    His eyes slid to me. “You
didn’t?”
    I shook my head.
    “Wow. Sorry.”
    I breathed deep. Did I
actually buy that bottle of whiskey?
    “So,” said Jay, “What
furniture can my brother have?”
    “Take your pick.” I
gestured to the room. “The remainders will be donated.”
    “I really appreciate
this.”
    “No problem.”
    “Guess it’s tough giving
your belongings away?”
    I shrugged a shoulder. “I
try to think of what I’ll be gaining in return.”
    He draped an arm over my
shoulders. “You’re the lucky ones.”
     
    A half-hour later, we had
the Ute loaded with my couch, bed, tables and chairs.
    I dropped the keys into
Jay’s palm. “Drive safe.” I pointed a finger at him. “You crash my dad’s truck,
I’ll kill you.”
    He smirked. “Noted.”
    “Be back by five.” My
phone chirped as I watched him leave. “Hello?”
    “Hey,” said Troy.
    “So I was the only person
that didn’t know about Ruby, huh? Didn’t think I would understand?” I heard him
exhale.
    “Mon, it’s not what you
think. I was ashamed - a single father. Like I said, I wanted her to be ours.
And I couldn’t bring myself to tell you.”
    I gnawed on my lip.
    “I know you would’ve
understood,” he said, “Now, who’ve you been talking to?”
    “Your super best friend
Jay.”
    “Oh.”
    I kicked a stray pebble.
“I guess the past couple years have been hard on both of us.”
    “Yeah.”
    “Sorry I snapped at you.
Can we start this phone call over?”
    “Sure. Ring ring.”
    “Troy, guess what? I ran
into Jay,” I said, “He’s taking my furniture for Shaun. I heard he moved out.”
    He chuckled. “That’s
great. I was wondering what colour you’d like your new office.”
    “You don’t have to do
this, you know? I could work at the kitchen counter.”
    “Too bad. I’ve already
started.”
    I could hear the smirk in
his voice.
    “And Ruby picked out a
wallpaper border - cupcakes.”
    My lips tugged into a
grin. I expected nothing less from her. “You two have been busy.”
    “It’s the only
distraction from your absence.”
    “Aw. I miss you guys
too.”
    “Just a few more sleeps,”
he said, “What’re you doing tonight?”
    “I have a date.”
    “ Excuse me?”
    “With a bowl of popcorn,
glass of wine, some truffles and a Sex and the City marathon.”
    “Phew.”
    “I’ll talk to you later?”
I said.
    “Yep.”
    I disconnected.
    *
* *
    “They’re all good, but
not amazing,” said Diane.
    “Why?” I said.
    “None of them are you.”
    We had been interviewing
replacements all day.
    “Diane, you have to make
a decision. This is my last day.”
    She blew a sigh. “You choose.”
    “Me?”
    “I trust your instincts.”
    Picking my own replacement?
Sure, that will be easy …
    I selected an
application. “How about this one - Skye Ellis?”
    She peered over my
shoulder. “Never worked in the publishing industry.”
    “Yeah, but she’s eager to
learn.”
    Diane arched an eyebrow.
    “Right, no time for
that.” I picked up another. “Cleo Jenkins? Three years at our rival Eclipse .”
I plopped onto my swivel chair. “Before that, she worked in PR.”
    Diane snatched the paper.
“Hm.” Her eyes glided over the page. “Get her in here.”
    I lunged at the phone,
scattering pens in the process.
    “And order us some lunch
while you’re at it.”
    “Sure thing.” I located
Cleo’s business card and punched in her number.
     
    An hour later, she