Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95393 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Amazing.” I swear I can feel her hype energy through the phone. “I guess you are wondering why I’m calling you?”
“Um,” I say, starting the SUV, “you can say that.” I laugh nervously, closing my eyes, trying to beat back the anxiety that was pouring through my body less than thirty seconds ago.
“I was just chatting with Zoe, and she mentioned she saw you this weekend.”
“Yes.” I look down at the phone, putting it on speakerphone before the Bluetooth catches. “It’s too bad you couldn’t make it.”
“I know, it would have been amazing to see you.” She stops talking for a second. “I hope you don’t mind, but she told me you were looking into getting back into the workforce.” Three days ago, we went to Sunday lunch, and even though I secretly dreaded being there, I went for the kids. I was doing whatever I could not to be forced to look around and see if Christopher was there. I don’t know what was going on with him, but the whole lunch, he was quiet, except when it came to the girls. He sat with them for lunch while I sat at the table with the women, but as soon as I would go to them or say something, he avoided looking at me. To be honest, it made me sick to my stomach. Instead of just grabbing the girls and heading out, I stayed longer than I should have. I’m not sure why, but I did. I mean, maybe I knew deep down why I stayed, but I wasn’t going to admit that, not even to myself. I was also very not ready to face Keely if she was there. I mean, I didn’t know if she would be there or not, but once I did a quick sweep of the room, I was really happy she wasn’t there. Of course, I couldn’t just come out and ask him where she was. I also didn’t want to, so there was that.
“I am,” I admit. “I figured it was time. Of course, my first priority is my girls.” That fact is nonnegotiable in my book.
“Obviously not even a question.” She wades in, telling me, “My business has always had a family first motto.” I can hear her moving around on her end. “With that said, I would like to know if you are interested in meeting with me to discuss a couple of things. I know you have a background in fashion, and you used to be a personal shopper.” She mentions the last job I had before I got pregnant with Rain, and Benji and I decided I would be a stay-at-home mom.
“Yes,” I reply, nervous now, “whenever you can.”
“I’m good to fly down there tomorrow if you can meet. We are in New York now.”
“That would work, but I feel bad you have to come all this way. Would a Zoom work also?”
“Whatever you want to do. I’m open to coming down there and meeting, or we can do it via Zoom…” She trails off. “I’m going to be very honest with you.” I hold my breath. “I want you to come and work for me. I love your style, I always have. I’ve told you this throughout the years. But I don’t want you to think I’m giving you the job because of whatever.” She doesn’t mention Benji, and I’m happy she doesn’t say his name. “I found out you were going to be throwing your hat in the workforce, and I’d like you to hang your hat at Zara’s Closet.” She mentions the online company she started so many years ago. She’s now sought after by the biggest stars to style them.
“Wow,” I say because it’s still… wow. All I can do is blink as I think about her speech.
“We have a client roster with a three-year waiting list, and I know that adding you will help bring that down. You can work from home and set your own hours.”
“I don’t know what to say.” The tear I didn’t know was forming falls over my lid. “This is—”
“It’s too much,” she groans. “I promised Zoe I would go in lightly, but you know us. It’s balls to the wall each time.” I can’t help but laugh as I wipe away the tear. “How about you think about it, and we can touch base tomorrow afternoon?”
“I would absolutely love that,” I tell her. We hang up shortly after that, and I’m almost in a daze the rest of the afternoon.
I text Dr. Mendes after the call and right before I start dinner.
Me: Do you have an emergency space for me tomorrow?
Her reply is almost right away.
Dr. Mendes: I’m free from eight to ten. Feel free to come by when you drop off the girls.
“This is good,” I tell myself as I make my way over to pick up the girls. “This is very good.”