Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 56295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“Emmy Lou James, if you want to keep your phone, you better pick up your stuff.” Not even thirty seconds after her ten-year-old left it where she deemed it necessary.
“Yes, Mother Gothel.” I hide my chuckle behind my fist.
“You got burned. She pulled out the villain from Tangled this time,” Rory says. “I’ve got hours of homework. I’ll grab a shower when I take a break. That way, I’ll have hot water.”
“I replaced the hot water heater today. You won’t have to worry about that anymore.” I took the day off from the shop since Leigh was home. We loaded up in the truck, my mission getting to the hardware store. Two weeks of having hardly any hot water, and I was done. It was either the old thing was replaced, or I started taking showers at my house. Leigh didn’t say a word through the whole process until it came time to pay. She attempted to slide her card, but I was quicker. Oh, she grumbled once we were in the truck. I silenced her with a kiss, then it was over.
“You’re the absolute best! Have I mentioned that?” Leigh laughs at Rory. I walk over to her, now that the girls have gone their separate ways.
“You got a minute, sweetheart?” My hand goes to the back of her neck, massaging the muscles. One of her hands holds on to my forearm, keeping me there, the other settles on my chest right over my heart.
“I have all the time in the world for you, Phoenix.” Fuck, I hope this doesn’t backfire on me. The last time I offered her a job, she nearly took my head off, then listed every reason why we shouldn’t work together.
“Now that things have settled down, you’re not up to your eyeballs in debt, and the divorce is in the works, have you thought about finding another job?” I’m trying to feel her out to see if it’s even an option for her. I know she doesn’t mind her job. It’s mindless which, hand to God, the woman is smart, maybe not with college math that Rory is taking, but she’s too fucking brilliant of a person to be stuck in a dead-end job.
“Not really. I mean I should. I’ve thought about before there was an us, you know? Then it was put on the back burner. Do you think it’s smart before the divorce is granted?” At least she’s thought about it, giving me an inkling of hope that she won’t be opposed to a new job.
“We can always call Mr. McCallister and ask. I’m pretty sure there won’t be an issue. You won’t have to go before a judge. There’s no parenting plan or sharing of a household budget. I do have an ulterior motive for asking. You know the shop doesn’t have an assistant since Sophie was fired. Fif has been picking up the slack when she’s home. The last time she was here, I was threatened that if I didn’t find a replacement, she’d send Mom in to help.” Needless to say, it did make Ophelia stay an extra day. What I wasn’t prepared for was the heart eyes she and Eli had for one another. I left the shop for the day, working more the next day after she was back in California and the office was back to being clean.
“Fif pulled out the big guns, huh? I can’t say that I blame her. Your office is a nightmare. Why you still use paper instead of going digital, I still don’t understand.” I’m about to pull out the woe-is-me card and really go for it. Leigh may see right through my shit; it’s still worth a shot.
“Yeah, the software is there. I don’t have a whole lot of time to get it started, train the guys, and still work on cars,” I plead my case. Her eyes narrow. I’m so busted. I’m just hoping that it works. I’d love nothing more than to know my woman has a good job, one with benefits, rather than having to work in the elements. And we’d have about the same hours, too.
“Nix, if you want me to work at the shop, all you have to do is ask.” Every time I turn around, ready to gear up for a debate, Rosaleigh does this.
“Fine. Rosaleigh, would you please accept a job as the assistant at the shop? It comes with holiday pay, health, dental, and life insurance. You’ll have set hours, and I happen to know the boss can work around your schedule,” I try to talk the position up, even with the look on her face that’s telling me she’s up for the job.
“Fine, twist my arm. Honestly, I still want to talk to Mr. McCallister first. If he says to wait until the divorce papers are signed, I’ll do what he suggests. You’re not the only one who doesn’t like the hours at the nursery. The girls hate it. And now, having two separate days off in the middle of the week. It sucks,” she replies. I’m only half paying attention because the view I have from where we’re standing has my body locking tightly. My hand on Rosaleigh’s neck tightens, causing her to turn to look around, too.