“Hunks Haul Junk, ma’am.”
I shake my head. “Right, sorry. It’s been a rough morning getting used to your time zone.”
He gives a gruff chuckle. “No problem. Is it too early?”
“No no, it’s perfect.”
I need a distraction from Bastian, anyway.
“Glad to hear it. My guys will be there in ten.”
“Great. Thank you.”
He wishes me a blessed day and hangs up.
Bastian glares at me as I return to my bag and grab my clothes up into my arms. I glare right back as I stand up.
“You were saying?” I prompt when he just keeps staring.
“Nothing,” he mumbles.
That’s right.
Nothing.
You don’t know me.
You don’t own me.
“Good,” I mumble back.
The heat of his half-blind gaze burns a hole in my back as I go, but I ignore it. He can watch. He can look. I don’t care what he thinks. His opinions mean nothing…
He means nothing.
eleven
One For The Frame
Iget dressed in a flurry. There’s no time for angry trips down memory lane when I have a life to get started. The jeans button high on my waist over my tank top and I feel better already. The black sweater hugs the smallest part of my hips but has space in the bust, giving me an alluring figure that makes me smile.
I’m still beautiful.
The rumble of a large truck decelerating comes through the window and I hurry to finish. I quickly fluff the wet ends of my hair, trying to volumize as much as I can, then let the bun down. I quickly apply an oil-control moisturizer, foundation to hide a sneaky pimple that popped up, a little blush, and lip stain.
There’s a knock from far away and I know it’s the trash guys at the front. I run from the bathroom and shove my feet into slip-ons as I point at Bastian.
“Stay. Here.”
He huffs. “As if I would want to seemorepink flesh.”
I purse my lips because that wasn’t exactly a “Yes, ma’am” but it’ll have to do.
The knock comes again, louder, and I run down the stairs yelling, “Just a moment!”
I dodge debris as I make my way to the stained-glass door. Two silhouettes fill up the other side and I beam; glad they did actually bring hulking guys for this.
The front unlocks with asnickand I throw the door wide. A burst of cold, earthy air swoops in past the two men, bringing with it the smell of strong deodorant trying to hide even more powerful body odor.
