More Than Lies (More Than #1)(55)

I turn my warmest smile on her hoping she will throw me a bone.

“Me?” she questions, but before Tara can tell me no, I clarify. I know she’ll be returning for her last semester of school in January, and I’m not asking her to manage the studio, plus be the receptionist.

“Just tomorrow and Monday. When we get back from Christmas after next weekend, I’ll get someone hired, I swear.” I’ll beg, Tara, but please don’t make me. I’m silently projecting those words from my brain. If she only knew that she’s the only person on earth I’d beg something from, then she’d know just how much I hide my feelings for her.

“I guess.” She doesn’t sound enthused.

“I’d do it myself, but I have a full schedule.” I wrap both of my hands around her shoulders. “I appreciate it, I really do. And I’ll make it up to you, okay?” Her eyes fall to my lips. The moment lasts only seconds before her face heats. Quickly, she turns, making my hands fall from her.

“Yeah, sure. Um . . . where should I go?” I don’t acknowledge her embarrassment or the reminder of the hot kiss we shared weeks ago.

I look in Adam’s direction, giving him a quick jerk with my head in the direction of the office. He nods as he makes his way toward the back.

“Go wait in the office with Adam. I’ll bring Sabrina back there in a few minutes.” Tara doesn’t say anything else, but she does as I ask, walking fast following in Adam’s direction.

No sense in delaying this any further.

I turn and walk toward the front. As I near, I notice Sabrina placing the deposit bag into her purse. This isn’t unusual as Sabrina has always been the person that handles taking the deposits to the bank. That was a huge error on Adam’s end.

“You got a minute?”

She glances up before retrieving her purse and lifting it onto her shoulder.

“Sure, what’s up?”

“You know I wanted to meet with everyone today. Let’s do that in the office before you leave, okay?” I keep my voice neutral and my face blank. No need to scare her or let her think there is a problem.

“Okay, but I was just headed out.”

“Your shift doesn’t end for another thirty minutes.” Wow, she really doesn’t give a rat’s ass about her job, does she?

“I know, Shawn.” She laughs, but there isn’t a lick of humor behind it. “I always leave a few minutes early so I can stop by the bank on the way home.”

“And here I thought the banks close at five.”

“Well, ours doesn’t.” Her reply is condescending. Did I know our bank or any bank for that matter stayed open past five o’clock? No I did not, but the bitch doesn’t have to have an attitude.

“Fine, okay. Let’s go talk.” I don’t wait for her to argue further. Instead, I turn around and head in the direction of my office. Stupid bitch is going to wish she were a little nicer. This shit has been weighing on my mind all day. Maybe she needs the money. Hell, maybe she has major medical issues going on that we are all clueless about. But you know what? Fuck that. Stealing is stealing, and it’s wrong no matter how you look at it.

I walk in, and as I do I open the door wide so that she can follow. Adam is leaning against one wall, and Tara is seated behind the desk, leaving the two chairs in the room vacant. I don’t opt for one of the seats. Instead, I round the desk and lean against the wall closest to Tara. She begins to stand, but I shake my head indicating I don’t want her to move.

“Um, what’s going on?” Sabrina has a worried expression masking her face, but I doubt she has a clue just how worried she should be.

“Have a seat, please.” I motion to the chairs. She closes the door before making herself comfortable. “I thought you and I were going to have a one-on-one conversation. Isn’t that what you said this morning, Shawn?”

“It is, but that isn’t what we’re here to do. I told you this wouldn’t take long and I meant it, so I’ll get right to the point, Sabrina. I know you’re stealing money from the company.” Her eyes widen in shock, but her lips remain sealed. “Have known for a while now, but I didn’t have the proof until two days ago.”

“Look, I don’t know who has been talking to you, but they are lying.”

“Save your breath, Sabrina. I said I have proof, and I do. Wednesday, when I had you run that errand, I calculated all transactions myself against the schedule.” Two days ago, I sent her out on a quick run for the studio. She was gone just long enough for me to add up the money. “What was deposited into the bank account was six hundred bucks shorter than what you left with.”

“That . . . that can’t be right, Shawn. I didn’t do it. Someone else must have taken the money out before I left.” I can see the sweat form on her brow.

“You’re just digging yourself a deeper hole, so shut it.”

“I said I didn’t fucking do it!” her voice booms. I’m certain she could have been heard outside this room.

“Stop lying, Sabrina.” Adam chimes in. About fuckin’ time too. He’s the one she’s started screwing over in the first place. He should be pissed.

“I’m not, why don’t y’all believe me?” She throws up her hands in a dramatic gesture before slamming her back against the chair she is seated in.