Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Fine, I’ll find something fun to do while you’re gone.”
“Good.” She leans over to touch her fingers to my cheek, then looks at her suitcase. “Now help me pack, so I can get to the airport.”
“You have like five hours before your flight leaves.”
“Yes, but I might want a coffee or to shop before I get on my plane. Plus, I don’t want to rush.”
“All right, all right, let’s get you packed, just so you can leave me sooner.” I pout and listen to her laugh as I sit up. The truth is, I hate the idea of her being gone, but I’m happy she’ll be able to spend time with my aunt and grandma in New York, even if I will miss her. For a while, we didn’t know what the future would hold, so her being able to travel is a good thing, and I know she needs this trip.
Plus, I have plans of my own.
For the last year, while Mom’s been going through treatments and surgeries, I’ve been working with a travel agent, planning a trip to Paris—somewhere my mom has talked about visiting since I can remember. I wanted to surprise her with the trip, not if but when she was in remission, and when she gets back from New York, I’ll be able to share the news that we are going on her dream trip. Ten days in Paris, staying at a fancy hotel close to the Eiffel Tower, eating and drinking to our hearts’ content, and seeing some of the history I love, up close and personal.
I’m excited, and I know that when she finds out, she will probably pass out with happiness.
But first, I need to make it through the next few weeks, because in order to finish paying for the trip, I had to find a summer job. I was planning on working at one of the local businesses near my apartment, but then a friend of mine from college, Christy, offered me a temporary assistant position. She just had a baby and needed someone to fill in for her while she’s on maternity leave, and since I will be making way more than I would at say… a coffee shop, I took her up on her offer.
I’m nervous. I haven’t had an office job since I was in college, and all I can remember is that I hated every second of it. There was nothing worse than going into work and dealing with the politics and different personalities. And to say I’m out of practice dealing with adults is an understatement, since I spend most of my days wrangling six- and seven-year-olds. But I just keep telling myself that if I can handle all the drama that happens in my classroom on a daily basis, I should be okay.
Or I hope so, anyway.
The only thing that has me somewhat concerned is that the person Christy originally hired to cover for her while she was on maternity leave quit unexpectedly, and when I asked her why, she changed the subject, then avoided the conversation when I brought it up again. And since her boss is some big shot who is loaded, I can only imagine he played a part in that person quitting without notice. Which doesn’t make me very hopeful for what awaits me.
But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he’s awesome and I’m overthinking things. I guess only time will tell.
Chapter 2
Meeting Mr. Grump
With my purse over my shoulder and heels on my feet that feel foreign after living in sneakers for the last few years, I pull open the front door of Ellis Technologies and wonder if I’m late. The huge two-story space is filled with the low hum of talking as men and women go from here to there with purpose, like the tiny ants in glass ant farms I keep in my classroom for my kids to watch.
“Can I help you?” Turning my head, I watch a very attractive man wearing a security uniform approach me across the sunlit white tile, and I glance quickly at his name tag. Mike.
“Hi, I’m here to fill in for Christy Smith for the next few weeks.”
“Penny, right?” he asks, and I nod. “Christy said to expect you.” He motions with a lift of his chin to the right. “Come with me and I’ll get you a badge, then take you up to her desk and introduce you to Jace.”
“Great.” I follow behind him, and my heels clack against the tile, the sound drawing attention from people going about their workday and stopping them in their tracks. I stick out like a sore thumb—with my copper hair up in a tight bun and my chic business attire—amongst everyone else dressed like they’re running errands on a Saturday afternoon in their jeans, shorts, and T-shirts.