Upside Down by Fern Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

bellied back to where Jack was sitting and propped his big head in his master’s lap as much as to say, I’m here for you . Jack swallowed hard. He rubbed the big dog’s head as he mumbled and muttered under his breath. “I don’t know what to do, Cyrus. I’m trying to be understanding, but enough is enough already. I’ve become an afterthought. I’m asleep when Nik gets home, she’s gone before I get up in the morning. If I stay up and wait for her, she gets pissed. I can’t win. No offense, pal, but I’d rather sleep with Nik than you. I hate that she’s sleeping in the guest room, and, yeah, she did say she didn’t want to wake me with her crazy hours. But that’s bullshit, and she knows it!”
    Cyrus threw his head back and howled. “Yeah, that’s how I feel. You know what else, Cyrus, class-action lawsuits go on for years . That’s just one. Nik’s firm has three class-action suits going on. Nik’s firm has become the go-to guys for that kind of stuff. Spouses are just . . . in the way. At least that’s how I’m seeing it. I feel like a lovesick teenager right now.” Cyrus joined his master in whining.
    Jack continued to fondle the big dog’s ears. Then he squared his shoulders, sat up straighter, and all but bellowed, “Okay, enough of this pity party. Come on, Cyrus, let’s go for a walk and get some lunch.” The words, walk and lunch were Cyrus’s two favorite words.
    Cyrus raced off and returned with his leash, swinging his tail back and forth at the speed of light. He danced around as he waited for Jack to pack up his briefcase and turn off the light. He was the first through the door and waited in the kitchen, while Jack put on his jacket.
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    There was a bite to Maggie Spritzer’s voice when she said, “How nice that you decided to come to work.” She pointed to the wall clock. The time was 11:50.
    â€œOh, lunchtime. Thanks for pointing that out, Maggie,” Ted said airily as he swung around and headed for the door, and the elevator that would take him to the lobby of the Post building, Espinosa and Dennis West hot on his heels.
    â€œHold it right there! You just got here! Four hours late. And now you’re going to lunch! I. Don’t. Think. So.”
    Ted punched the elevator button before he swung around, knowing that Maggie had followed the threesome into the hall. “We’re entitled to a lunch hour. Is this where you threaten to fire me or all three of us? Go for it,” Ted snapped. “I’m sick and tired of your holding that power over my head. So is Espinosa. Dennis doesn’t care, he’s so rich he doesn’t have to worry about paying the rent. What? Cat got your tongue? Well?” Ted snarled.
    Maggie backed up a step. “All I said was you were four hours late and, no, you weren’t going to lunch. What I meant was I wanted to know what you were doing and where you were that made you four hours late before you went to lunch. Are you planning on filing a grievance with the union? I am the EIC. That means I’m in charge. I have the right to ask you anything I want.” But it was all said defensively, and Ted picked up on the tone immediately.
    â€œIf you keep bugging me, then the answer is yes.” He knew in his gut that it was Maggie who somehow, someway, was responsible for the banana tree that had been delivered to the BOLO Building. His gut told him she’d been following him, and she was good enough that he didn’t pick up on her doing so. But he knew, and that made him feel guilty. And the guys knew it, too.
    The elevator arrived. Espinosa stepped in and put it on hold. Dennis stepped around him, leaving Ted and Maggie hissing at one another.
    Maggie, former reporter and current editor in chief, and Ted, her former fiancé and current star reporter, eyeballed one another. Ted was livid and trying not to show