Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“I know what it’s like being a woman in our family. I ran from it, but it caught up with me eventually. If you stay, you stay for good this time. You know if you run away again, it will find you.”
My eyebrows furrow, and I stop dead in my tracks. “I haven’t run away from anything,” I say, affronted.
“No? You didn’t pick a college in an entirely different country to get away from your brother hovering?”
I tsk, irritated by her keen eye. Then again, that’s one of the things that make her a great lawyer. “London isn’t that far. And I’ll have it known he still hovered, especially when he was conducting business in Italy.”
“Yeah, well, your brother is a determined son of a bitch.” She laughs. “As your aunt, I’m telling you this is a fantastic opportunity for you, but I want to make sure this is definitely what you want—for you.”
“And as my boss?” I push.
She chuckles. “My associates didn’t know you’re a relative of mine, and they were impressed by how you conducted yourself.”
I can’t contain a smile from spreading.
“But…”
“But what?” I ask.
“They were concerned once I told them who you were. They’re worried that you could use that to your advantage.”
“I would never. I want to prove to myself that I can do a good job. I can do this, Rya, if only you give me the opportunity,” I say adamantly.
“You and I both know that, Billie, which is why I’d like to officially offer you the job. But never bring anything from our family life to work, do you understand?”
“Yes,” I quickly agree. Oh my God! Did I just get the job?
“Good, you start Monday. Check your email. You’ll find welcome information, as well as some HR forms that need to be filled out. Welcome to the team,” she says, then hangs up.
“I got the job!” I yell excitedly and fist pump the air, scaring a woman walking past me. Fuck yeah! Eat shit, unemployment!
I message my mother to see where she is so I can share the news with her. She’s quick to respond, letting me know she’s at Dutton’s house. I should’ve known now that she has Bentley as a grandson that she’d be a grandmother hen.
Posie and her son Bentley live with Dutton now. Dutton does everything for her. Saying he’s obsessed with her is an understatement. I never thought I would see the day my big brother would be obsessed with a woman, especially with one who has a child. He hates kids. Just not hers.
I call a cab, then message Ivy that I got the job, and it’ll require a girls’ night out to celebrate.
It doesn’t take me long to get to Dutton’s. When I knock on the door, Posie opens it with an expectant expression. It’s crazy to think she’s around the same age as me, and yet we couldn’t be more different. I think it’s mostly because she has a child, but she treats me more like she’s an older sister, and I kind of like it.
“Oh, you look nice. Where are you off to?” she asks with an inquisitive brow.
“I had an interview,” I tell her, unable to hide my shit-eating grin as I follow her into the living room. My father is sitting on the floor, playing a board game with Bentley.
“Aunty Billie!” Bentley squeals, then jumps up to give me a hug. I can’t help but drop down to one knee for this kid and wrap him in my arms. “Will you come play with us?” he asks, trying to tug me toward where my father is smiling and shaking his head in amusement.
“Soon,” I reply, barely managing to get out of his tight grip. “Let me go to the kitchen first, and then I’ll be back, okay?”
When I look back at Posie, she’s smirking and rolling her eyes. “It’s a new board game Dutton bought him. Can you tell?”
I laugh, smelling my mother’s baking, before I see her standing in the kitchen. She’s making blueberry muffins. Apparently, they’re Bentley’s new favorite. He goes through phases, and honestly, if I had a baker for a grandma, I’d be going through all the recipes as well.
“How did your interview go?” Mom asks excitedly, and I furrow my eyebrows.
“How do you know about it?” I ask, propping my hand on my hip. “Aunty Rya called you already, didn’t she?” Damn. Everything flies through this family so damn quickly.
“She did, and I’m baking you a cake to celebrate.” Her eyes shine with pride.
“Billie, sit down and tell me because your aunty Rya never called me,” my father says, tapping a spot on the floor next to him. It feels strange being back in this kitchen. The last time I was, I was making out with Ford. And he hasn’t touched my lips again since. Well, not the ones on my face, anyway.