“For being a bellboy? It’s not rocket science.”
Pierce gives me a wry expression. “Might as well be for you, though. You’re about as out of your element as the average person would be at NASA.”
“Thanks for that.” I roll my eyes and take a big gulp of water, wishing Jesus would show up and turn it into vino. That wouldn’t count, would it? If the booze came from a divine source?
“I’m not having a go,” Pierce says. “I’m serious. You’ve never even had to do so much as pick up your own socks off the floor your entire life. You can’t expect to go from never having had to be responsible for anything to holding down a job and not expect to have some challenges.”
“I suppose. If I could go back in time, I would never have shagged Sonia. If I hadn’t done that, everything would be fine.”
Emma wrinkles up her nose. “Do you really believe that everything was fine the way it was, Leo?”
“Yes. I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Iliterallyhad the perfect life until I messed it all up by messing around with the third in line to Sweden’s throne.”
“Leo, as much as it pains me to admit, I think Father’s right this time. You do need to grow up. Take it from me, there’s no better feeling in the world than accomplishment.”
Emma smiles. “He’s right, you know. When I finished culinary school, it was one of the happiest days of my life.”
Nodding, Pierce adds, “You’ve never allowed yourself to have that sort of sense of pride.”
“I thought pride was one of the seven deadly sins,” I say. “Besides, carrying people’s bags around isn’t exactly writing the world’s most popular fantasy series or becoming a famous chef.”
Reaching over, Emma pats me on the knee. “Everybody has to start somewhere, Leo.”
“But surely everyone doesn’t have to start out as a glorified donkey.”
Brianna’s words come surging through my mind again, reminding me how useless I am. A sense of desperation takes over, and I turn to Emma. “You don’t happen to have an opening at the restaurant, do you? I’ll do anything. Scrub pots or…scrub other things that need scrubbing.”
Emma shakes her head, her expression full of sympathy. “I’m sorry, I don’t. Besides, I imagine your father’d have something to say about it if you worked directly for me.”
“The cards have been dealt, Leo,” Pierce says, trying to hide his smile. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to play the hand you got this time around.”
I glare at him. “Would it be too much to ask you not to enjoy this so much?”
“Yes. Yes, it would.”
CHAPTER 10
Guilt, Hope, and Bad Decisions…
Brianna
KANDI:I’ve booked the house for the hen’s weekend and put down the deposit. No going back now! Whoohooo!!!
VALERIE:Nice! What about this? Matching tats to commemorate the trip?
QUINN:YESSSSS PLEASE!!!! Butterflies on our ankles?
KANDI:Or shot glasses on our hips?
VALERIE:I’ll book it.
Me:Sounds super fun, but I’ll bow out of the tattoos. #needlewimp
KANDI:You’re SO getting a tat, Bree! We’ll get you pissed first so you won’t feel it.
***
Have you ever been so wrapped up in your own anger that you’ve done something impulsive and shitty, only to be immediately filled with an all-consuming sense of regret? That’s how I feel about Leo overhearing my conversation with Rosy yesterday. I honestly cannot get it off my mind. I mean,really, that kind of nastiness is just plain…nasty. I called him useless, completely devoid of common sense, and a burden to society. It’s all true, but I should have asked to speak with Rosy privately,thensaid it.
