“I didn’t say anything was wrong,” she replies, frowning. “She’s just been quiet.”
“Incompetence,” I mutter, already turning away.
I make it halfway across the room before I hear it. Soft. Under her breath. Not meant for my ears.
“Funny . . . one rule for him, another for the rest of us.”
I stop and turn, moving back towards the kitchen.
She doesn’t notice, too busy unloading the dishwasher, but still talking to herself.
“And this isn’t even my job,” she goes on, stacking plates with more force than necessary. “But I do it anyway, even when it’s not on the little list for idiots you gave me.”
I lean against the doorway, my arms folded as I listen.
“Know why?” she mutters. “Because I’m not incompetent.”
A plate hits the counter a little too hard.
“I can read. I can write. Shock, I know.”
I almost smile but bite my lip to stop it forming.
“So maybe,” she continues, her voice rising slightly, “you should get your head out of your arse and try being a decent human being for once, Mr. fucking. Carmichael.”
She exhales sharply, then turns. Our eyes lock, and she freezes, inhaling sharply.
“Shit,” she breathes out.
I let the silence stretch between us. It’s heavy and charged, and I can see her mind racing with things to say, but she keeps her mouth clamped shut.Wise move.
“My office,” I say quietly. “Now.”
WYNTER
If he wasn’t right behind me, I’d smack myself in the face.Why didn’t I keep my mouth shut?
And why the hell is his office on another floor? The longer this walk goes on, the more certain I am that I’m about to be fired.
The door slams shut behind us, and I jump slightly.
“I’m so sorry,” I blurt out. “I rant out loud sometimes, and if I’d known you were still there, I wouldn’t have—”
“Stop.”
His voice cuts through me, and I immediately stop speaking. He drags a hand down his face, eyes closing briefly like I’m the biggest inconvenience of his day.
“Anika likes you,” he says finally. “And with Catherine leaving tomorrow, I don’t have many options.” He steps closer. “Which is the only reason you still have a job,” he adds quietly. “Because if I had another choice, you’d be gone.”
My stomach drops, but I keep my eyes lowered.
“Are you even ready to take over?” he continues. “Because if you’re not, you tell me now.”
“I’m ready,” I say quickly. “Catherine’s given me her number, and the respite nurses are always available if I need advice.”
He studies me for a second. Like he’s trying to decide if I’m lying.
“A word of warning,” he says. “I know everything that happens in this building.” A chill runs down my spine. “If you’re going to run your mouth about me,” he continues, his voice dangerously low, “do it in your head. If you want to keep your job.”
