Free Faded Perfection (Beautifully Flawed Book 2) by Cassandra Giovanni Page B

of the harsh lighting above me. I heaved a sigh as I looked down at my watch. Friday. It was already Friday.
    And it was…
    “Crap!” I hissed as I shut my Macbook and shoved it into my purse.
    Ten minutes was all I had to get to Webster. That was not going to happen. I pulled my cell phone out of my purse as I rushed out of the building, stopping at the door as I looked over my shoulder. The cubicles were all empty. It wasn’t like anyone else stayed at work until almost seven on a
Friday.
Even Jesse’s office was dark.
    I needed to get a life.
    I shook my head before turning back out the door and  texting Dad.
    Running Late. About thirty minutes out.
    What a lie. If I were lucky, it would take forty-five–going seventy-five the whole way once I was out of the city. I grit my teeth as I tossed my purse into the car and cranked the engine on, turning the music up as I watched the light change to green. I concentrated on getting out of the city in one piece, and when I hit the highway, I hammered on the gas. Rush hour ended hours before, and the way out of Boston was mostly clear. I glanced down at the speedometer before sighing as I lifted my foot off the pedal.
    Ninety.
    The world sped passed me, but I felt frozen in the car as if I was no closer to getting to where I needed to go. I let the numbers dip down to seventy before hitting the cruise control button. In truth, I looked forward to my weekly meeting with Dad. What I didn’t expect was the constant lie I told him about Adam. The scenery rushed passed me until I came to the exit, turning the music down as I pulled into the commuter lot.
    Dad stood outside his car, leaning against the hood with his arms crossed. “Ducks!”
    I got out of my car, and he wrapped me in a hug.
    “I thought you weren’t going to make it,” he said, and I felt my neck flush up to my cheeks as my chest tightened.
    “You know me. I get distracted,” I replied, shrugging as we moved to his car.
    He shook his head, gray eyes darkening. “No, you’re never late.”
    I breathed in, looking at the ceiling of the car as I held my purse against my chest. “That’s because of Adam. He’s the one who’s always early,” I replied.
    I pulled my phone out of my purse and looked at it. Nothing. But Adam knew Friday was my night out with Dad. I felt my throat tighten. That was why he hadn’t texted…all day. I shook the thought from my head.
    “Speaking of which, how is Adam?” Dad asked as he put the car in gear.
    The bubbling lie surfaced so easily from my lips. “Adam’s fine, Dad.”
    I still hadn’t convinced myself of those words, but I hadn’t seen Adam drink anything in weeks. So I wasn’t positive it was a lie.
    “And you?” he continued, looking at me out the corner of his eyes. “You like tired.”
    “I’m fine, Dad.”
    Now, that– that I knew was a lie.
    “Is it safe to assume you were working?” Dad asked as he put the car in park, his hand on the shifter as he glanced over at me.
    I bit my lip, shrugging. “Hoping for that big promotion, you know?”
    Dad looked down at his watch, his eyes narrowing. “Working yourself to death won’t get you that.”
    I rubbed my neck. “I’m good, Dad.  I promise.”
    “You should bring Adam next time,” he said, and his eyes raced over my face.
    I smiled, nodding as my stomach twisted in knots. I fought against the wave of nausea as I wondered what Adam was doing, and if he would be willing to come if I asked. My voice was normal as I replied, “Sure, why not?”
    Dad’s lips lifted into a smile, and I realized he believed me.
    When had I learned to cover my emotions so well?

Chapter 15
    I parked my car next to Adam’s and turned it off. My eyes moved to the apartment building in front of me, and my hands fell into my lap. I stretched them as I realized just how hard I gripped the steering wheel as I drove. Despite the ridiculous volume of my music, my mind still wouldn’t rest between thoughts about work,