Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
“Did you just say ruckus?” Stella laughs and breaks off a piece of her cinnamon roll. “That’s hilarious, and he totally would do that. I love this new tradition of having Saturday coffee together, by the way.”
“Me, too.” I sigh happily and eye her. I’ve loved being close to my friends and the people I care about in Seattle yet knowing my parents aren’t too far away. “What’s new with you? How is the business going?”
Stella is an amazing interior decorator and recently opened her own design company, which has taken off really well. She’s been featured in big-time design magazines and television shows.
“I didn’t think it would take off so fast,” she admits. “I know small businesses take time to build, but we’ve done great. It doesn’t hurt that I have a family full of celebrities, and whenever someone gets a new house or decides to remodel, they call on me to help—and don’t mind having their new digs flashed all over the known world.”
“No, that definitely doesn’t hurt. Sidney’s obsessed with her new bed and bath, by the way. I have to get over there to check it out.”
“That was a dream to design,” Stella says with a sigh. “I learned a long time ago not to feel weird about my famous family giving me a leg up in life. I know I’m privileged, and I don’t take it for granted. But if they’re going to offer the help, I’ll absolutely take it.”
“As you should,” I reply immediately, totally agreeing with her. “They love you, and they’re proud of you. They want to show you off. If I get to a place where I can buy my own house, I’ll definitely hire you to help me. I’m as bad with home décor as I am with fashion.”
Stella laughs and pats my hand. “We all have our talents, friend, but you’re getting way better at the fashion stuff. That pink jumpsuit with the denim jacket is…chef’s kiss.”
I’m quiet for a moment as I sip my coffee, and then I admit, “You know, I’m not sure what my talent is. Sid sings and puts on amazing shows. I’m so proud of her. Gray’s a fabulous attorney, so damn smart and steady, you know?”
“Sure, they’re both awesome people.”
“I don’t have any of that. I’m not artistically talented. And I’m not uber intelligent like my brother. I don’t know what in the hell I want to do with my life.”
Stella taps her lips with her finger, watching me with contemplative blue eyes. “Was there something you wanted to do or be when you were a kid?”
I look at her as if to say, “Come on,” and she doubles down.
“I’m serious. What got you excited when you were a child? I liked to sew things and play with pretty fabric. Hell, Olivia and I both did. She became a costume designer, and I went into interior design. What did you like?”
“Nothing.”
Now, it’s her turn to look at me with the come-on face. I laugh.
“Okay, let’s see. I liked to play with dolls, and I loved having a play kitchen. I liked helping our housekeeper with the laundry.” I cringe. “God, that puts the women’s movement back about a hundred years.”
“Why?” Stella frowns and shakes her head. “You’re a caretaker. What’s wrong with that?”
“I don’t know many women who would admit they just want to be homemakers. Not since the 1950s, anyway, and certainly not if they want to sound modern and sophisticated.”
“Bullshit,” Stella disagrees. “I guess some might say it’s an old-fashioned stereotype, but you didn’t say that you want to be under someone’s thumb, subservient to them. You said you like to take care of a home. That’s damn hard work. So hard, in fact, that I don’t have time to do it right and have to hire help. I appreciate my housekeeper more than just about anyone. She works her ass off.”
“I guess I am a caretaker, innately,” I reply, thinking it over. “I like to help, and I like to make things easier for others. I think that’s why I enjoy working for Derek. I know I’m an asset to his office. But I have to admit, the work itself is so…dry.”
Stella laughs. “Maybe it’s a good thing it’s short term, then.”
I sigh. I don’t want to work in a law office forever, I’ve learned that much, but I also don’t love the idea of not seeing Derek all the time anymore.
Even when he hurt my feelings, I was still so attracted to him that it was hard to breathe.
“I leapt at the chance to quit my job in Spokane and move in with Mom and Dad so I could help them.” I bite my lip because what I’m about to say is something I’ve never confided to anyone. “I wanted to take care of my mom.”