Slow Hand (Hot Cowboy Nights, #1)(66)

“Yeah, I do.”

She cursed under her breath.

“What’s that?” Nikki asked.

“I’ll comb the want ads today.”

“That might be best.” Nikki closed the door with a smile.

The rest of the morning followed her normal routine, sipping coffee from her travel mug while sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, jockeying for a decent parking space, and then rushing to punch the time clock. Her week spent in Montana was the first break she’d had in three years from a life of redundancy. Every day for Nikki was pretty much like the last, but predictability was safe, right? And security was what she craved most after a lifetime of revolving door relationships.

What Wade had offered her was neither safe nor secure. He was a gamble she wasn’t ready to take. So why did she now feel so hollow? Why did every action feel dull and mechanical, as if she was now nothing but a walking automaton? As usual, she stopped by the break room to refill her coffee mug before proceeding to her cube where Jessica and Robert prairie-dogged from the other side to greet her.

“Morning, Nik,” said Jess. “Welcome back.”

“Have a good trip?” Robert asked.

“Not good, exactly. But definitely interesting. Thanks for asking.”

Robert was a decent sort and she’d even dated him a few times in her effort at rehabilitation. But he had really sucked in bed the one time she’d gotten drunk enough to give him a shot. He’d been good-humored about it when she’d turned him down for another date after that. They both realized they were better as friends than lovers. She hoped he and Jess might eventually make a go of it. She was really cute in a geek-girl way. Maybe he’d take notice if she talked Jess into a makeover? Nikki decided to put it on her to-do list.

Nikki booted her computer and opened the bottom desk drawer to stash her purse, but then hesitated. She hadn’t checked her phone messages since last night. She wondered if he’d tried to call. It had been almost five days since they’d spoken. Surely there was some news about the estate. She swiped her iPhone screen to the message menu. Nothing. No texts either. Maybe he’d sent her an email?

“You might want to watch your ass, Nikster,” Robert warned, adding in his best Austin Powers voice, “Mini-Me’s on the warpath.” At least Robert kept things interesting. He had nicknames for just about everyone. The department head was Dr. Evil, and their four-foot-ten-inch supervisor was Mini-Me.

“Thanks.” Nikki laughed and set the phone down, logging onto the Internet to check her webmail account. An email from Wade, even if it was only business, would at least reopen communication.

“Psst!” The hissed warning from Jess came too late. Mini-Me had materialized out of nowhere. Shit! Nikki’s stomach dropped. Why couldn’t she have had at least had five minutes before the be-atch came breathing down her neck?

Hoping to block the view of her monitor, Nikki spun around in her chair. Flashing a bright smile, she greeted her supervisor. “Good morning, Phyllis.”

“So you finally made it back?” Phyllis replied. “Good thing too. You really put me on the spot, you know. I doubt I could have held your job any longer.”

“I apologize for any trouble, but things got complicated. I lost my wallet on the trip and couldn’t do anything until I replaced my ID.”

Phyllis stood on her tiptoes to squint over Nikki’s shoulder. Her face screwed up. “Personal use of the Internet is prohibited. You’re already treading on thin ice, Nicole. There are a lot of people looking for work, many of whom would show up as expected and follow the rules.”

“I’m sorry, Phyllis.” Nikki forced a look of contrition. “I’m expecting some important communication from the probate attorney.”

“I don’t care what you’re expecting. You’re on the clock now. Or do you think you’re special? That corporate policy doesn’t apply to you?”

God, how she despised working under a petty, nitpicky little tyrant.

“Of course not,” Nikki replied. “It won’t happen again.”

Phyllis’s lips got even thinner. “Is that your cell phone? Why isn’t it stored in your locker? That makes two infractions.”

Nikki couldn’t hold back any longer. “Then I guess I’ve really made your day, haven’t I?”

“Are you trying for insubordination now, Nicole? I’d be more than happy to write you up for that too.”

“You know what, Phyllis? I think I’ll save you the trouble.”

Phyllis’s gaze narrowed. “If you walk out of here, you’ll lose all your remaining vacation pay as well as any chance of a reference.”

Nikki smiled tightly remembering Wade’s words. “All things considered, I think it’s more than a fair trade. ’Cause I won’t have to kiss your bony little ass anymore.” Nikki stood and snatched up both her phone and her purse. Her body trembled, but she held her chin high, walking out to a universal standing ovation.

She’d never done anything so reckless and impulsive, but it felt damned good—so good she even decided to celebrate. On her second impulse of the day, she pulled into the new Organic Emporium, a high-end grocery where she’d previously only window shopped. Now with a wicker basket over her arm, she strolled the neatly stocked aisles of gourmet and exotic foods.