From Humble Beginnings (Joe Steel) Read Free Page B

past Bernard to do a bit of matchmaking… but, the idea that I’d be good enough for his precious Juliet, seems a little far-fetched. Although, why else would Juliet be acting as event organizer and not Cass as is usual?
    The question begged for an answer, but it was one outside of my ken.
    “Will you take pity on me and come with me?” The moment the words were out there, I both congratulated and chided myself.
    Why on earth would she want to go out with me? She had the world at her feet and my world was only just coming into shape.
    She’d just sat her finals at Oxford; with people who were of her standing, her natural peers.
    I’m too old for self-doubting, but she makes me that way.
    Makes me feel like the boy I once was, whose trousers were always a size too small, because my parents couldn’t afford to kit me out every time I grew another inch. That’s probably the reason why I always snap at her. Why I’m always angry with her.
    I’m not used to being on edge. To doubting myself and my judgment calls.
    “I’ll be the hostess. I’ll be there anyway.”
    Even though she spoke cautiously, her lack of a firm retort pisses me off. “If you don’t want to come as my guest, then just say so, Juliet!”
    “Calm down, Joe. Of course, I’ll go with you. I just didn’t want you to feel…” She hesitates. “Obligated.”
    “Obligated? Why would I feel that?”
    “I’m the boss’ daughter, Joe. Why else?”
    “I don’t need you to give me a leg up the ladder, if that’s what you’re implying, Juliet!”
    “Stop reading into my words and getting it all wrong! For God’s sake, I’ve said I’ll come with you and I will, gladly. Okay? Now, before you piss me off even more, enough to make me refuse, I’m going. I’ll call you tomorrow to confirm dates. Hopefully, you’ll be in a better mood by then!”
    Before I could say another word, she disconnects the call and leaves me speaking to air. That was when the nerves hit me; it reminds me of the first time I asked Brook out. The only woman I’ve ever really loved.
    That doesn’t exactly calm my anxiety.
    At thirty-two, I shouldn’t be willing to make a fool out of myself with the same eagerness as I had at sixteen with the girl who’d eventually become my first wife. But, she does that to me.
    Juliet, with her raven black hair that curls about her shoulders. Eyes as green as soft moss, with a slight slant to the edges that add an exoticness to her face. She’s beautiful in her own way. Not traditionally so, but to me, she’s like Salome. Entrancing.              
    I just hope that she doesn’t serve my head on a platter to her father.
    As I grimace at the idea, a voice breaks into my thoughts.
    “Well, I never thought I’d see the day.”
    Quickly spinning around, I frown at the intruder. “You should have knocked, Cass.”
    A part of me is relieved that it’s her. God, if it had been anyone else, I’d have been the laughing stock of the firm.
    Another grimace has my mouth twisting at the jibes I’d have enjoyed , once the rumour mill started.
    ‘Mooning over the boss’ daughter; how very working class,’ Percy from Accounts would say with delight.
    ‘Trying to get his leg over Juliet and on the ladder to the top man’s position,’ Mark from Delivery would grunt, probably kicking himself for not thinking of it himself.
    The idea of being so badly thought of doesn’t really bother me. That they’d be slurring Juliet does.
    Christ, I’m a goner.
    “After all the girls I’ve seen mooning over you and you fall for Juliet. Of all people.” Cass shakes her head as though the idea is astounding.
    “I haven’t fallen for anyone.”
    “Bull. That’s a lie and you know it.”
    “Why would I lie?”
    “Because you don’t want me to tell Bernard.”
    “She’s coming as my date to the party celebrating my promotion.”
    Cass cocks a brow at that and steps closer to my desk. As she nears, she warns, “Don’t do anything