Desperately Seeking Epic(37)

“Did you know there are three other skydiving businesses in Virginia?”

“I am aware,” I mumbled, narrowing my eyes at her. “What’s your point?”

“Do you know what your referral numbers are?”

“Not off the top of my head.”

“Based on the website bookings alone, where a majority of your jumps are scheduled, they can enter how they heard about us, and referrals are only at two percent. That . . .” She gave my chest a hard poke, “Is shameful.”

My blood pressure was rising. “We work our asses off here. And we’ve made it work. Dennis built this business from the ground up.”

“Paul,” she snapped. “I don’t give a shit about who did what or how they did it. I see a business with potential to grow, to profit more. Are you really going to complain about the possibility of making more money?”

“No,” I argued. “I’m complaining about working with a goddamned tyrant. You’re set to suck all the fun out of this place.”

“Painting some walls and replacing some furniture is not sucking the fun out of anything. Expecting everyone employed here to be polite and do their job is exactly that . . . their job!”

I threw my hands up. “Fine. Do what you want. I’m out.”

“You’ll be here Sunday, won’t you?”

Giving her a bogus Army salute, I sarcastically said, “Sure thing, Sergeant.” What was this chick smoking? There wasn’t any way anyone could have misinterpreted what I was really saying, but just in case, I added, “If you want to paint this place, fine. But I’m not spending my night off doing it.”

Shaking her head, she turned away from me, and I left. I hadn’t realized after our meeting the entire staff was still sitting in the front office, listening to every word we’d said. A few whistled and clapped as I stormed out. I wasn’t sure I liked that. I didn’t think Clara fit, and I didn’t want her for a partner, but at the same time, she was my partner and these people were her staff. I had just said I wouldn’t be there Sunday, and now they thought they wouldn’t have to be there either. Looking back, I wish I would have said something to them, but Clara got under my skin. So, I let them treat her badly. I let them disrespect her. Maybe she’d leave if she saw they hated her.



Ashley stares at me, her expression stoic.

“Not my proudest moment,” I admit.

“No, I would hope not,” she agrees quietly. Mills excuses himself and makes his exit. Lucky bastard.

Shame floods me. I was a young, stupid man. But I guess it doesn’t matter that I’ve matured . . . well, mostly.

“Well, I think that’s all for today. Same time next week?” Ashley asks.

Fuck it. Why not? “Yeah, sounds good.”

I shut the door behind me as I leave the office, letting Zane and Ashley clean up. I’m halfway down the hall when I hear Neena giggle.

“They’re playing at the National next month.”

“I love Masters of the V,” Neena gushes as I round the corner into the front.

“Yeah, they’re one of my favorites, too,” Mills tells her. They’re sitting on the love seat, sharing a set of earbuds and staring at Mills’ iPhone. Well, Neena seems to be staring at Mills while he stares at his phone.

“They’re ready for you to help clean up in there, Mills,” I snap, causing him to jerk up, the earbuds falling out of both of their ears.

“Oh, ah, yeah, cool. Good seeing you, Neena,” he mumbles as he gives a little wave and clumsily rushes down the hall. Neena lets out a long sigh as she watches him exit. Looking at her better, I notice something different. Her lips are pink and glossy.

“Are you wearing makeup?”

She immediately crosses her arms and scowls a little. “Yeah. So?”

I scratch my head. “Just curious . . . You ready to go, kid?”

“I’m not a little kid, Dad,” she retorts.

I lift my brows in shock. I’ve called her a kid quite a few times and she’s never complained. I want to point that out to her, but Ashley, Zane, and Mills enter the room, carrying their bags with them.

“Later, guys,” Zane calls.

Mills is the last one to leave and he gives Neena an awkward little nod as he pushes through the doors to the parking lot. Neena waves, her pale cheeks turning the slightest shade of pink as she smiles at him.

Why do I feel so . . . angry right now? Not really angry, just . . . protective. She just waved at him. And he didn’t do anything. There’s absolutely nothing to get upset about.

“Now are you ready to go, princess?” I had to add the last part just to mess with her.