Next to Always: Shattered Innocence Trilogy Book Two Read Free Page A

a slight pause before someone greeted her.
    “BlackStone Industries. How can I help you?” a female voice answered on the other end.
    “Um… Hi,” Dylan began. “My name is Dylan Adams. I received a letter from BlackStone Industries stating they wanted me to come in for an interview. I was wondering if I could set that up today or if I needed to wait until Monday.”
    “I can help you with that, Ms. Adams. Let me check the schedule. Mr. Black and Mr. Stone always like to meet with potential employees themselves. I just need to check their schedules. Can you please hold for a moment?” the girl asked.
    “Yes, that would be great,” Dylan replied, trying to hide her excitement.
    Five minutes later, Dylan had an appointment set for Tuesday at two o’clock to meet with Mr. Black and Mr. Stone. She was happy that someone was there to make the appointment. She also wondered if it was like that every Saturday and if she would also be working Saturdays if she got hired. At this point she didn’t care. She would even agree to work holidays if it meant she would get the job.
    Even though it was early evening, Dylan was exhausted. She decided she would take a quick shower and head to bed. Leaving her room, Lilly passed her as she stepped into the hallway.
    “Hey, girlfriend, I just opened a bottle of wine if you want some,” Lilly said as she headed to her own room.
    “Thanks, Lilly, that sounds good. I’m going to shower and head to bed. I’m exhausted.” Dylan wanted to make sure Lilly knew she was all right, just a little beat from the trip.
    Dylan headed to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine before she showered and turned in. There was a buzz on the intercom just as she was leaving the kitchen. She back stepped to the kitchen to answer the intercom.
    “Hello,” Dylan said as she pressed the button and waited for a reply.
    “Hello, Ms. Davis.” Dylan let the gentleman continue before she corrected whom he was speaking to. “I have a letter addressed to Ms. Adams that was dropped off earlier today.”
    “This is Dylan Adams. Do you know who dropped it off?” Dylan replied with curiosity.
    “I’m not sure of the gentleman’s name, but he was tall, about fiftyish, well built, bald with a goatee. If you’d like I can bring it up or you can come get it.”
    Dylan knew who it was that delivered the letter. It was Richard. She didn’t want Lilly to inquire about the delivery, so she decided to go down. “I’ll be right there.”
    Dylan quickly changed into a t-shirt and a pair of yoga pants. When she got to the lobby, she saw the security guard sitting behind the check-in desk. All she could think about was the letter waiting for her. She had a pretty good idea that the letter came from Rade. Dylan wasn’t sure what she would do with the letter once she had it in her hands. She didn’t even know why she came down to the lobby to retrieve it. If she had been smart, she would have just had the security guard shred it.
    Nervously she walked up to the desk as she greeted the security guard. “Hi, I’m Dylan Adams. I believe you’re holding a letter for me.”
    “Oh, yes, Ms. Adams,” the security guard said. “I have right here.”
    The guard handed Dylan the letter as she smiled down at him. “Thanks,” she said as she took the letter from him.
    Dylan held it in her hand as she inspected the writing on the envelope. It was definitely from Rade. She would know his handwriting anywhere. As she got in the elevator, she continued to stare down at the envelope. Her thoughts went back and forth. Open the letter. Words can’t hurt you. Don’t be a fool, just throw the letter away. Nothing he could say could erase what he let happen. Dylan was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t realize that the elevator doors opened to her floor. They were just about to shut when Dylan came back to reality. Dylan raised her hand and pushed at the door, causing it to retract.
    Lilly was standing outside