lies

five

Sav

I can feel my face burning, and my mind is trying to make sense of what just happened. Only it doesn't make sense. We were fine one second, and the next, he was telling me I was in the way.

Justin is an arsehole, and I shouldn't have ever thought we could be civil. I mean, for the first thirty seconds there, it seemed like we could work alongside each other for this week without another incident but obviously not.

I'm already over trying to be nice to him, and it's only day two.

Scooping the papers with one hand, I shove them back in the box, not caring that I'm moving slow. He can wait. There was no need for him to be such a wanker back there.

But I guess he can't help it.

Very awkwardly—because I'm one-handed here—I manage to get the paperwork away. He's absolutely tripping if he thinks I'm moving them out of the room for him. I no longer feel guilty that Heidi and I didn't manage to get around to clearing the room before he started.

In fact, I feel like messing it up even more. And hiding his tools.

Clutching the banking documents I need against my chest, I head out into the office. I left my empty mug on the floor. Oops.

Justin is standing by the kitchen, drinking. He's leaning against the countertop with his legs crossed at the ankle, like he owns the place. He seems to think that, just because this is his sister's business, he has more right to be here. Or maybe he's just an entitled prick who thinks he owns everything. I don't know what he does for work, but his clothes are nice, and his car is an expensive, new Range Rover, so he must earn a decent amount. Maybe money has ruined him.

I think his family is wealthy. Heidi said they own their own business and have a decent-sized house on a lot of land, but I don't think they're rich enough for him, a grown man, not to have a job.

Anyway, I don't care what he does.

He probably doesn't do anything. I bet he claims money from the government while spending his days stealing sweets from children and pushing over old ladies.

I keep my eyes on my desk as I walk through the main studio. My handbag is on the desk, which has the money inside to be paid, so I focus on getting that and getting out. The air is thick, though I don't think Heidi senses the tense atmosphere. It wouldn't surprise me if Justin didn't either.

"He has to know that snapping at me was out of order, right?

Yeah, unlikely.

Heidi looks up and smiles. Her blue eyes are not even similar to Justin when his look green and hazel, however hers look at me with kindness, not contempt. "You found it?" she asks.

"Yes. I won't be long."

"Do you want me to write out the paying-in slip?"

I shake my head. "That's okay, thanks. I have to get used to using one hand." My right hand is fine, but I've found it difficult to write without being able to hold the paper still.

"I'll drive you," Justin says.

I almost fall over. Like proper drop-to-the-floor falling over. My legs are weak. Twisting around, I gawp at him with my jaw wide open.

Did he forget what he said two minutes ago? Perhaps he's planning on running me over with his car.

"No, that's fine. The bank is only a few minutes away. I always walk." I turn away because I don't want to look at the bastard. Ever again.

"Yeah, but you were told to take it easy and rest your wrist to begin with. I'll walk with you, and I can help if you need it."

"He's right, Savannah," Heidi says, putting her pencil down. "He can help get everything ready or be there just in case you need it. You really can't use that arm at all right now. It's not even been twenty-four hours yet."