Almost.
???
It’s a relief walking into Mom’s care home without feeling like I’ll be picked apart by a vulture.
Today we manage a slow stroll around the garden, with her leaning hard on her walker.
Just as she decisively drops into the wheelchair we brought “just in case,” my phone buzzes. No caller ID.
My stomach lurches stupidly for a second before I answer. “Hello?”
“Lexi?” An all-too-familiar nasal sound rings out instead.
“Vicky?” My voice comes out a mix of horror and fascination. It’s the devil wearing Prada, on the phone.
“How arrrrre youuuu?” she purrs with faux warmth. My bullshit meter starts beeping like crazy.
Suspiciousis the truest answer because Vicky showing concern isn’t something ever seen before. If I were on fire, she’d probably demand I finish some report for her before I stopped, dropped, and rolled.
“I’m great, how are you?” I reply evenly.
“Marvelous,” she drawls, “Listen, I’ve got a little proposition for you.”
Oh here we go. My Spidey-senses start tingling. “Uh-huh.”
“How about coming back to your old job?” she sing-songs.
“No,” I reply before she can even finish.
Vicky makes an irritated noise. “I’ll give you a 20 percent raise. And free drinks at Vexo.”
Tempting, if I was a masochist. “Sorry, Vicky, I’m not interested.”
“Twenty-five percent. Final offer.”
My head automatically starts shaking. “Nope, still a no-go. I’m all set with my new job.
“Fifty percent,” she blurts out, desperation creeping into her tone. “You’re practically robbing me, Lexi. People would kill for this.”
My brow lifts. Christ, this is one hell of a hike. “Why do you think I deserve it now when you wouldn’t give me a raise when I worked there?”
“Oh Lexi,” she coos. “Don’t throw away the opportunity of a lifetime.”
I almost burst out laughing. “Hmm, I’m okay.”
“I’ll double your salary,” she shouts.
“What?” I say slowly.
“Double,” she repeats, and I swear I can hear her grinding her teeth.
I’m baffled. “What’s the catch?”
“We just . . . need you.”
As if.
“You lost Quinn & Wolfe, didn’t you?” Silence. Bingo. “Vicky, I wouldn’t be able to get the account back. I haven’t spoken to Connor since I left.” I swallow the painful lump. I hate even saying his name.
