Free Bad For Me by J. B. Leigh Page B

us.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “If someone buys the company, they will take the technical people, but they might not need the support and admin staff.”
    “Has JJ said anything?”
    “No. Whenever anyone mentions it, he just laughs it off. He says it will never happen. Anyhow—enough of that. How does it feel to be home?”
    “Good—I guess. I'm worried about my brother though.”
    “What's wrong with him?”
    “I don't know where he is. After I left, he managed to get himself thrown out of his council house. I think he might be living rough.”
    “That's terrible.”
    “I'm worried what might happen to him. He isn't streetwise, and if he's drinking... ”
    “Does he have a drink problem?”
    “It's got worse since Mum died. It's my fault—I should never have left.”
    “Is he younger than you?”
    “Older.”
    “You aren't responsible for him Megan. You can't take on everyone's welfare.”
    “If I can just find him—maybe I can get him into some kind of programme.”
    “What about you?”
    “What about me?”
    “You deserve a life too.”
     
    The afternoon flew by. I spent most of my time updating the customer database, which had been neglected because they had been short staffed.
    “Megan.” Caroline called to me. She had the phone in her hand. “JJ wants you to go to his office.”
    “When?”
    “Now, please.”
     
    “How's it going?” JJ gestured for me to take a seat.
    “Okay. It's really busy. Caroline has been telling me about the app that's going to make you a millionaire.
    “Don't listen to office gossip.”
    “So it's not true?”
    “People like to talk—there's nothing in it. Do you see now why I needed you to come and work for me?”
    “Yeah—it's pretty hectic out there.”
    I was waiting for him to tell me why he'd sent for me.
    “You wanted to see me?”
    “So I did. I was just enjoying the view.”
    “JJ!”
    “Sorry, but it's hardly my fault if you have that effect on me is it?”
    “Is there something you wanted me to do?”
    He smirked—a really wicked smirk. It took me all of my willpower not to smile.
    “JJ! Is there a job you want me to do?”
    “I suppose you and I booking into a hotel for the rest of the day is out of the question?”
    “Totally out of the question.”
    “Oh, well. In that case, I'll have to settle for you checking these.”
    “What are they?”
    “Customer enquiries. Can you check the sales database to see if they've turned into orders?”
    “How do I do that?”
    “Ask Caroline. She'll show you.”
    “Okay.”
    Just as I was about to leave his office, I heard him say, “If you change your mind about the hotel... ”
     
    “What's tickling you?” Caroline said.
    Whoops—I was still thinking about what JJ had said, and had a stupid grin plastered across my face.
    “Nothing. JJ said you would show me how to do these.”
     
    Once Caroline had shown me the ropes, I spent the rest of the day working through the enquiries. It took me longer than it should have because my mind kept wandering—to a hotel room with JJ. When I'd agreed to take the job, I had been determined that it would be purely business, but after less than one day I could already feel my resolve being worn down. Damn that man!
     
    ********************
     
    “I'll wait for the bus.” I had just arrived at the bus stop when JJ's BMW pulled up.
    “I promised Julie I would go over.” He pushed the passenger door open. “It's stupid for you to catch the bus when I'm going to your flat anyway.”
    The other people at the bus stop were beginning to stare, so I climbed into the car.
    “Were you really going to see Julie?”
    “Yes. Don't you believe anything I say?”
    “No.”
    “Julie told me you were planning on looking for your brother.”
    “I thought I'd start with the shelters this weekend.”
    “I could help.”
    “I don't need your help.”
    “You'll cover more ground if you're in a car. We can visit all the shelters, and then if we have no luck,