The Last Groom on Earth by Kristin James Read Free Book Online

busily scraping the remains of the creamy stuff off the sides and bottom of the cup, as she asked casually, “What did he do today?”
    “Not much. Sort of familiarized himself with our system. Asked me a bunch of questions about how the business office is run and who has access to what. Internal security sort of things. Apparently he thinks we’re pretty sloppy.”
    Angela snorted indelicately. “He’d probably accuse St. Peter of keeping sloppy accounts.”
    Kelly chuckled. “You’re too hard on him. He seems like a nice guy. Very polite.” She paused, then added, “Not to mention cute.”
    “Cute?” Angela wrinkled her nose. “Puppies are cute. Bryce Richards is not cute.”
    “All right. Handsome, then. What is it with you two?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Well, you hired him, and he’s a friend of your family’s. But you keep making cracks about him. And he keeps asking questions about you—not all of which are what I would consider business-related—but when I suggested that he ask you some of those questions instead of me, he turned all stiff and wouldn’t do it. So what’s the deal?”
    Angela shrugged. “There’s no deal. We’ve known each other since I was twelve, and he is good friends with my mother and father, but the two of us never hitit off. We’re complete opposites. He’s totally anal and obsessive.”
    Kelly laughed. “He said you were—I believe it was unrealistic and impractical.”
    “That’s typical.” Angela got up and went to the microwave to take out her cup and plop the tea bag in it. “I guess he’s not bad, really. He’s just so into numbers and things. You know.” She turned and grinned at her friend. “You might like him, actually. At least you could understand what he talks about. I never could. Maybe you could even get him to lighten up a little.”
    “I don’t think he’d be interested in me,” Kelly retorted. “I got the distinct impression that it’s you he’s got a thing for.”
    “Got a thing for?” Angela repeated disbelievingly. “Uh-uh. Believe me, I am not his type. He’s so uptight and correct he probably wears pajamas to bed—with little paisley patterns all over them.” She paused, then added, “Ironed pajamas. Starched.”
    Kelly chuckled and said, “Then why did he keep looking toward your office every time he went out into the hall today if he isn’t interested in you?”
    “He’s probably trying to avoid me—like I was trying to avoid him.”
    Kelly studied her thoughtfully, then went on. “Okay. Tell me this… why is it necessary for you all to try so hard to do that? Hmm? I mean, I think it’d come naturally to two people who didn’t like each other.”
    With that parting shot, Kelly left the kitchen, throwing a last teasing glance over her shoulder as she walked out the door. Angela grimaced as she picked up her cup and followed her. Kelly had been teasingher, she told herself. There was no basis for what she had said. She and Bryce had succumbed to some strange quirk of passion last night. It didn’t mean that he had any real interest in her. And, certainly, she was not interested in him!

Four
    W ith Bryce gone, Angela’s work progressed more quickly. It surprised her a little since for the two or three weeks before this her brain seemed to have been stuck. Every time she had tried to concentrate on the plot for the new game, her mind had willfully gone back to worrying over their tax situation. Now, however, it didn’t intrude. Reluctant as she was to admit it, she realized finally that she must have confidence that Bryce would find the problem and handle it, and she was able to relax and return to her work.
    Friday afternoon, Angela again stayed at the office after the others had gone. She often worked after hours, as it was much easier without the noise and distractions of the day. Often Tim or Kelly or one of the others worked late as well. Theirs was a loose sort of business where workers more or less set