Waiting for Jo by srbrdshaw Read Free Book Online Page A

makes you feel better.
Have a nice life.” I storm out of his office and dart back to mine
before Dan has the opportunity to call HR. There is no way I’m
going to be escorted out of here by security when I haven’t done
anything wrong. I grab my purse and a few other personal items and
make my way to the elevator. I hope this is the last time I’ll ever
be in this building again.

    ***
     
    As I drive away from downtown, I feel better
than I’ve felt in a long time. Even if I didn’t have another job
waiting for me, I’d be happy. Working for Anderson & Thomas,
and specifically working for Demanding Dan, wasn’t satisfying in
the least. It feels like I’ve had a weight on me for the last two
years, and every day that I worked there it got heavier and
heavier. Today, that weight has been lifted, and I might just float
away.
    I decide to head over to the Alcove for an
early lunch. When I walk in, I see Will behind the bar, but the
rest of the place is empty. The Alcove just started serving lunch
and the concept hadn’t exactly caught on just yet. It’s also only
11:20 or so; probably a bit early for lunch for most people.
    “Hey, Will. I didn’t expect to see you here.
I thought you didn’t have to work today,” I say, frowning. “Now I
feel horrible for keeping you up all night.”
    Will flashes me a perfectly white smile.
“Don’t feel bad. I wasn’t supposed to work today, but Scotty called
me and said he had something he had to do and that he really needed
my help. I drank a bunch of coffee at your place, so I’m doing
fine.” He comes from behind the bar and gives me a hug. His strong
arms feel so good around me, and we linger in the hug a little
longer than most friends would. I try to ignore the tingling I feel
inside of me as our bodies touch.
    “So, what are you doing here in the middle of
the day?” He points to the barstool in front of him. “Take a seat,”
he says before I have a chance to answer.
    I make myself comfortable at the bar. “Well,
I tried to give notice at work today, and they made me leave
immediately. So, I thought I’d come by here and catch up with
Scotty, have a bite to eat, and maybe even do some day drinking to
celebrate.”
    Will laughs. “Well, since it’s not even noon
yet, you should probably start with a mimosa.”
    “That works for me. Mimosas have champagne in
them which is perfect for this occasion.”
    Will finds a champagne glass and grabs a
bottle of Brut from the cooler.
    “One mimosa coming right up,” he says.
    He makes my drink and sets it down on the bar
in front of me. “So, why did you quit? Are you starting a new
job?”
    I take a quick sip of my mimosa. “Yes. I’m
going to be working for my ex-boyfriend if you can believe
that.”
    Will is silent, but the look on his face
makes me think he’s not happy to hear about this.
    “He’s a criminal lawyer with his own practice
and has promised that I’m going to get more responsibility. The pay
is also great, and the best part is that I’m not going to have to
work with a verbally abusive prick anymore,” I say.
    “Well, that’s good.” Will is quiet for a
moment, as if he doesn’t know how to respond. “Hey do you want
something to eat?” Will takes a menu from behind the bar and sets
it down in front of me. I get the feeling that he’s trying to
change the subject.
    We’re both silent as I peruse the menu, and
he polishes wine glasses. I look up from the menu.
    “You know what you want?” Will asks.
    “The spinach and beet salad sounds
great!”
    “Alright. Let me put that in for you,” Will
says before disappearing to the kitchen.
    I pick up my iPhone to keep myself
entertained while Will is gone. As I’m checking my e-mail, the text
alert goes off. I open up my messages and see that I have a text
from unknown again. I take a deep breath before reading it:
     
    Unknown: You look very beautiful today. Blue
is definitely your color. How’s your drink?
     
    Whoever this is has