“What was Levi’s opinion?” Cash asks.
“He believes,” Ryland says, “as I do, that we need to focus on the company. Once we’ve built a strong reputation here, we can afford to focus on Mom and Dad’s house more fully.”
“That could take years,” Sebastian says.
“So they rent a place for a while,” Ryland says. “They understand our commitments. They’re willing to wait for their house.”
“They’re not staying in some crappy rental because we’re too selfish to hustle and get their place built,” Sebastian pounds a fist on the table, looking even more like an angry Viking king.
“I’m willing to hustle,” Cash says. “I’m just not willing to sacrifice the company or my salary.”
“Give us a compromise,” I say to Ryland. “I can work nights and weekends. There has to be a happy medium here.”
“Life isn’t always happy or easy,” Sebastian says. “Bigger sacrifices than overtime need to be made.”
“Excuse me,” a gentle feminine voice says from the entryway to the dining room. “I’m so sorry to interrupt. I’m here to interview for the office manager job.”
Cash turns to look at her, and he completely freezes in shock before his expression goes soft and dreamy.
I expect to see a drool-worthy, leggy blonde, since that’s Cash’s usual type.
Instead, I see Millie from Amelia’s poker night. She’s petite and more cute than beautiful. She’s dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt that are both simple and plain. I get up, grateful for the distraction. “Hi, Millie. I’m Deacon. We met at Amelia’s?” I hold out my hand, and she shakes it.
“It’s nice to see you again,” she says, her cheeks pinking a bit. “I can come back another time. It seems like you’re in the middle of something.”
“It’s just a family debate,” I say. “It’s what happens when you’re in business with brothers.” I slap Cash’s shoulder to wake him from his stupor. “Cash, want to interview Millie?”
His glare isn’t as good as Sebastian’s, but it’s a distant fourth, after Ryland’s and Levi’s. “I’m happy to.” He stands and offers his hand. “I’m Cash Sullivan. We don’t have an office space yet, and these lugheads are taking up the table here. Would you mind interviewing on the front porch?”
She nods, but doesn’t move when Cash gestures toward the front door. “I don’t mean to overstep, so please stop me if I am, but I couldn’t help overhearing a bit of your, um, debate. I used to be an organizational manager for a large corporation. If you want, I could look at your schedule and help you figure out how to best make time for your parents’ build and your client projects.”
“That won’t—” Cash starts.
“Please.” Ryland gestures her over to his end of the table and his laptop. “I’m an architect. I build houses, not work schedules. I’ll take whatever help you can offer.”
“Ryland,” Cash says. “We can’t ask her to work before we’ve even hired her.”
But Millie’s already headed toward Ryland, her eyes lit like she’s excited about the prospect of our organizational disaster.
“Consider this her interview,” Ryland says, already pulling a chair out for Millie.
Cash deflates like his prom date just left with another guy.
I get up, grateful for the reprieve, and hurry up to my room.
A moment after I land on my bed, I’m messaging DogPerson.
DogPerson158:I was just about to message you. And I was debating with myself if it would be bothering you, since we already talked briefly today.
My heart warms. HandsyGuy37:Hearing from you is never a bother.
DogPerson158:I feel the same way. I really don’t know what I’d do without you, and I feel guilty because what I want to do is vent about my problems, and that’s not fair to you. You didn’t sign up to be my sounding board.
HandsyGuy37:Will it make you feel better if I vent to you for a bit? I can tell you about my family and all the ways in which they’re driving me up the wall.
DogPerson158:I feel better already. Tell me more.
Without giving away too many details, I tell her about the family debate. And then I ask her to tell me what’s going on with her. It wouldn’t be fair to dump on her that I know who she is when she clearly needs a friend. I’ll tell her after she vents.
