Page 28 of Exchange of Heart

We don’t have any other options.

‘Don’t use my password against me.’ I shook my finger at him like an enraged mother.

‘Calm down, would you? I’m trying to help.’

After seeing him as my opposition for so long, it was difficult to remember we were fighting for the same goal. I blew out a breath and nodded. He didn’t want to be me any more than I wanted to be him. ‘I know, it’s just… shit. Completely and utterly shit. And even if we do find that umbrella, it’s almost summer. It could be months before there’s another storm.’

‘Unless we try electrocuting ourselves with the umbrella?’

My mouth dropped at his suggestion. ‘You can’t be serious. And risk killing ourselves?’

‘You’re right, you’re right.’ He blew out a large breath then widened his eyes. ‘Oh, shit.’

My forehead scrunched as his face whitened, so I followed his line of sight until my gaze landed on the bald man of my work nightmares. Red-faced with narrow slits for eyes, his gaze lasered on me.

‘I fucking knew it,’ he spat out as he crossed the road.

I couldn’t believe Corey’s boss and his lack of professionalism.

‘There’s something you should know about my boss,’ Corey began.

Before he could say another word, the bald man’s lips were uncomfortably close to my face.

‘How many times do you think you can pull this shit?’

Oh Jesus, Corey must take a million sickies, and now I’m the one paying for it. ‘Um, no more than I already have?’

Corey sighed and dropped his head in defeat next to me.

‘Think you’re funny? Gonna be real funny when you find yourself in a cubicle smaller than the shitter while some other dickhead spreads himself in your office.’

My top lip curled in disgust at the incredibly unprofessional visual. This is exactly what Mum taught me to stand against; men thinking they’re untouchable once they reach a powerful position.

I raised my chin and held his gaze, refusing to blink no matter how much I wanted to cower. How dare he threaten Corey with a demotion. ‘I’m entitled to a sick day.’

‘When you’re actually sick.’ His finger stabbed my chest with each word.

My hand involuntarily rubbed the sore spot he’d poked. ‘I am.’

‘Don’t look very sick. You looked sicker when you lost that deal last month.’

Corey flinched next to me and released a large exhale. ‘Low blow,’ he muttered.

‘And who the hell are you?’ He turned to Corey, pausing once he noticed the petite figure next to me. ‘Taking a sick day to entertain a girl?’

‘I’ve taken a sick day because I’m sick,’ I repeated, louder this time.

‘I expected more from you.’ He hoisted his pants over his large belly and shook his head. ‘Your mother is expecting you on Friday. This sickness better be gone before then. I won’t have the maid taking martinis into the bedroom all evening because you didn’t show up. Again.’

‘I—’

‘Say you’ll be there.’ The bald man insisted.

‘I’ll be there.’

Corey’s boss was seeing his mother?

He gave Corey one last disgusted glare, from his – my – long black hair to the white sneakers he wore, then turned away and stormed off.