Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21882 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
I stare at him.
“But doing what? My mom can’t cook, she can’t clean, and I agree with you: she might be getting too old to wear high heels for eight hours a day. What else is there?”
Cameron looks thoughtful.
“How about an office job?”
I stare at him.
“But doing what? My mom’s not exactly good with numbers, so she can’t be an accountant. She’s even worse with computers, so she probably can’t even do something like answer the phones and take reservations.”
Cameron squints a bit.
“Really? No computer experience?”
I shrug.
“Grace has been working since she was young, but she’s always had people-pleasing kind of jobs. She was always the dog-walker, or someone who made drinks for you at the coffee shop. What is that position called again? Oh right, a barista. My mom has never been good at hitting the books, and as a result, she’s always been blue-collar. Not that we’re ashamed of it or anything. It just is what it is,” I say in a rush.
Cameron looks thoughtful.
“Okay, so she’s into some kind of customer service.”
“Without having to use computers,” I add quickly.
“Without having to use computers,” he repeats in a slow voice. Then the CEO turns to look at me with a gentle light in those blue eyes. “How if I send her to job re-training? That way she could learn to use computers and technology. Lots of people do it nowadays because the world is changing so fast. Besides, I think knowing how to use computers is a good thing, don’t you think? It’ll help her no matter what she does next.”
“You would do that for her?” I ask in an excited voice. “You would send my mom back to school?”
He chuckles a bit.
“I don’t know if this qualifies as sending her back to school, but yes, Le Palms can definitely help her enroll in some job re-training courses. There are plenty at a number of community colleges around Vegas, and this will give your mother some time to breathe as she gets back on her feet again.”
My cheeks grow warm and I practically do a little dance in his lap for joy.
“I’d appreciate it so much,” I say in an excited tone. “I didn’t mean to imply that my mom is terrible with technology. I mean, she can use the microwave and turn on the TV with the remote, no problem. But this re-training will definitely help her so much, and it’ll give her so many more options.”
He smiles at me, and again, I feel that warm balm seep into my soul once more. It’s nice to feel taken care of, and like my problems might go away because Cameron Savage has made it so. But then, I frown.
“But would it be okay for her to get a stipend while she’s training? Otherwise, we won’t have any money,” I say plainly. “We won’t be able to afford our rent, and I’m still in high school so I don’t have a job.”
The billionaire looks thoughtful, one large hand stroking a curl behind my ear.
“We can talk about a stipend, but I’m a businessman, honey. I don’t love giving things away for free. I’ve worked for everything I have, and I expect other people to do the same.”
I stare at him again, the bronzed skin so tanned and masculine against his white shirt collar.
“But my mom worked for you for ten years. Surely, that’s enough for a significant stipend? Or even something small just to get us through these difficult times. Please,” I say plaintively. I hate the begging tone in my voice, but this man literally has my family in the palm of his hand. I’ll do anything to save my mother, and to get us out of this bind.
Cameron looks thoughtful for another moment before turning to me with an unreadable gaze.
“Let’s compromise then, Maddy. High school is old enough to start working. Would you like to come work for me, here at Le Palms?”
I stare at him, trying to digest his offer.
“But doing what? I’m so sorry, Mr. Savage, but I don’t have many skills. I’m trying to take practical classes like Journalism and Home Ec, but you don’t need a reporter do you? Or a seamstress?”
He throws his head back and laughs.
“No, we don’t need a reporter, thanks. We have a PR firm that handles all our publicity for us. Although a seamstress could come in useful,” he muses with a gleam to his eye. “We do lose a lot of buttons on our curtain sashes, and there are always sheets to be repaired and all sorts of linens to be patched. How good are you with a sewing machine?”
I gape at him before snapping my mouth shut.
“Good enough,” I say bravely. “I’m happy to do whatever’s needed at your hotel. I’m happy to start tomorrow if you like.”