The Storm (Fairhope) by Laura Lexington Read Free Book Online

create a positive partnership. What advice do you have for me?” I was proud of myself for sounding so professional when I felt like crying like a baby.
    “You did the right thing by telling me.” I couldn’t see his face, but I could hear the discomfort in his voice. “I can see that the two of you are not working cohesively. The situation definitely needs to be rectified. I will speak with Collin without him knowing you confided in me.”
    Halfheartedly, I thanked him. I felt like such a rat.
    Though Jeff was slick and loaded with excellent communication skills, I was smarter than his smooth. The underlying irritation in his voice was unmistakable, and he was careful not to place any blame on Collin. Feeling a bit dizzy as I drove home, I was left brimming with the uncanny sense that Jeff viewed me as the problem.
    I gulped as I turned into my driveway, trying to swallow the burning dripping in my throat. The budding discontent that simmered throughout me had become way too familiar.
    What if things got worse now?
    Suddenly, I realized that my period was due the week before. Or was it this week? Now that I was off the pill, my routine was off.
    I dismissed the thought and successfully suppressed a panic attack.

    The weekend could not have arrived more slowly. The Saturday morning sunlight streamed in my curtain-less window, its glow landing gently on my favorite feather pillow. I opened my eyes lazily, drinking in the warmth on my face, stretching my legs and yawning. My silky, freshly cleaned sheets smelled like sweet perfume. I gathered a handful, bringing it to my nose and breathing it in ply. “Ahhh.” Owning a new home was exhilarating. I felt like a real “grown-up” now, especially as I grudgingly paid the first electric bill, which was astonishingly higher than the electric bills we paid during our stint with apartment living.
    I quickly swung my legs over the bed. Overwhelmed with dizziness, I winced at the sharp pain in my lower abdomen.
    “Ugh,” I groaned to myself, lying back down. Was I getting sick? My head was throbbing. “Please, not on the weekend. Not during my time away from all of the work drama.” Why was I talking out loud? No one was listening.
    I started to drift back to sleep, ultimately slipping back into dreamland where I was free of Covington Company, when Andrew tapped lightly on the bedroom door. “Jana? You getting up any time soon?”
    I blinked my eyes a few times and yawned again. “Yeah, I’m coming. I’ve been up, but didn’t feel well for a minute. I’m all right now, though.”
    Bending down, he kissed me on the cheek, his lips lingering longer than usual. I warmed at his softness. “C’mon, sexy, it’s time for you to get up.”
    I narrowed my eyes at him, reluctantly throwing off my silky covers and slipping on my favorite fluffy pink slippers. “You’re never up before me. And that sweet little kiss … what’s up? What do you want?” Sleepily, I rubbed my eyes, unsure if I wanted to hear what he wanted.
    He shrugged. “Nothing, just wanted to hang out with my hot wife on a beautiful Saturday morning.”
    “Couldn’t find anyone to go fishing with you? Or play golf?”
    He rolled his gorgeous blue eyes, and I eyed the muscles that rippled down his chiseled back as he turned around. Hmm … maybe I was up for whatever he wanted. Before I could suggest anything, he disappeared.
    I dragged my achy body out of bed and reluctantly followed him.
    I gasped. A gorgeous bouquet of bright pink roses peeked out from my grandmother’s vase on the table, and a full breakfast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, and yogurt on our barely-used china lay in waiting for us. A card with my name written on it was propped up against the ornate vase.
    My jaw dashed to the floor as he stood grinning, proud of himself.
    I whirled to embrace him, nearly knocking over the heirloom vase. “Wow,” I breathed. “You’re the best. What a way to wake up and start the weekend.” I stood