The Broken Road (The Broken Series) by K.S. Ruff Read Free Book Online Page A

living arrangements, you should only consider apartments in
Virginia if you’re awarded the fellowship.”
    I
reached for a piece of bread and sampled the olive spread. “Why? I heard that
housing in Maryland is more affordable than it is in Virginia.”
    Frank
reached for his wine. “Maryland’s crime rates are higher. Virginia may cost
more, but it’s a much safer place to live. I recommend Fairfax or Vienna…
someplace close to the metro. The commute into DC can be brutal.”
    My
eyes narrowed over the top of my wine glass. “How long of a commute are we
talking about?”
    Frank
began slicing the cheese. “At least an hour each way if you live in Fairfax or
Vienna, and that’s on a good day. The metro may take longer if you have to
change lines, but it’s a lot less stressful than driving.”
    I
winced at the thought of spending two hours a day in traffic. In Montana, my
commute took only ten minutes… fifteen if I picked up breakfast in the Bagel
Company drive through.
    I
gathered as much advice as I could from Frank as the picnic drew to an end. We
walked to an overlook to admire the falls before we returned to the car. I was
far more relaxed on the drive back to Crystal City, although it was impossible
to say whether that was due to the two glasses of wine I had consumed or
because I had abandoned all previous thoughts of Frank being a serial killer.
    Frank
escorted me into the hotel lobby before kissing me softly on both cheeks. Cheek
kissers don’t really live in Montana, so I stood there awkwardly. I wasn’t sure
whether I was supposed to turn my cheek, kiss his cheek, or kiss the air. I
wondered if this was a formality that I would have to learn if I moved to DC.
    Frank
handed me his business card and a beautifully wrapped package that he had carried
in from the car. The gift was a new pashmina, which looked considerably more
expensive than the one Frank had bled on. I thanked him profusely, he thanked
me profusely, and we said our goodbyes. I gathered my luggage from the bellman
and called Habib so he could drive me to the airport for the long flight home.
    *
* * * * *
    I
fielded an endless stream of questions about DC when I returned to my office
the next morning. My jalapeno, cheese, and egg bagel remained uneaten for the
most part. Eventually, I scribbled “DO NOT DISTURB” on a pink Post-it note and
slapped it on my door so I could forge through phone messages.
    My
sign was up for all of ten minutes when Charlie strode through the door. He
pulled the sticky note down, wadded it up, and threw it at me. I took issue
with this… only because the wadded up paper landed in my coffee. I glared at
Charlie as I fished the soggy note out of my cup. “This had better be good.”
    Charlie
smiled as he pulled up a chair. “Trust me. It’s good.”
    I
raised one eyebrow. “This from the man who conned me into hosting a television
show and applying for a fellowship in DC?”
    Charlie’s
smile widened. “Both of which are exceptional career building opportunities… Look,
Mike and I have made a decision about this fellowship you applied for.”
    I
began organizing the papers scattered across my desk. “You mean the fellowship
you made me apply for?” He did. Sort of. It was his idea anyway.
    “I
merely nudged you in the right direction.” Charlie’s face looked more innocent
than it should. “Mike and I want to offer you a deal.”
    I
shoved the paperwork aside, leaned forward, and propped my elbows on my desk.
“A deal? What kind of deal?”
    Charlie’s
eyes locked on mine. “You accept the fellowship when it’s offered to you…”
    “IF
it’s offered to me,” I firmly corrected.
    “WHEN
it’s offered to you,” he insisted, “and we’ll hold your job for one year so you
can come back when the fellowship ends.”
    “What
do you mean ‘hold my job?’” I had never heard of jobs being held in state
government before.
    Charlie
leaned forward in the chair, his elbows resting casually