There’s no missing the smirk curling the corner of Tiffani’s mouth.
Breathe, Grace. Just breathe.One day things are going to go your way, and you’ll be able to kiss this job and these snooty bullies goodbye. Until then, just bite your tongue and plaster a smile on your face. Even a crappy job is better than no job at this point.
Lauren returns with her arms loaded down with garments. I dash over to meet her, arms extended to offer assistance, when her face contorts as if she’s just swallowed a lemon. “Oh, honey, why don’t you wipe down the glass at the register and in the front of the store? I’d prefer not to have you touching these until you aren’t such a hot mess. Literally.” The sound of Tiffani laughing behind me has steam building in my ears.At this rate, I won’t cool down until Christmas.
“Sure, Lauren.” Reaching for the glass cleaner and some paper towels, I get to work, reminding myself to pick my battles. My mind drifts as I wipe concentric circles over the glass case, visualizing the moment I can place my letter of resignation on this counter instead. But I’m dodging bill collectors like a squirrel dodging cars. So, today is simply not that day.
“Oh, and Grace…”
I glance up at Tiffani, worried I’d zoned out and missed part of the conversation. “Yes?”
“Jessica has to go out of town this weekend. Her father is taking her apartment shopping. So, I’ll need you to come in Saturday.”
What?Oh, for Pete’s sake. Isn’t Jessica a college freshman? Can’t she live in a dorm like all the other girls fortunate enough to attend college on their parents’ dime?
Then it hits me.Dagnabbit, I’m supposed to be pet sitting this weekend.
I’d been so excited that the timing of this job had worked out so well. The pay wasn’t anything to write home about, but the owners had offered to let me use their pool while I was there. And what a pool it was. Surrounded by lush, tropical foliage and swanky patio furniture, I’d imagined whiling the day away with a cocktail like some rich heiress. But, as usual, my life had other plans.
There was no time for relaxation tomorrow, given Mom had rehab in the morning and a visit with her pulmonologist in the afternoon. Her COPD made her so tired after these long days, it was all I could do to get her home and in the bed. I knew she wouldn’t eat if I didn’t force her. And my mother had already lost so much weight, I couldn’t allow her to skip another meal.
It was going to be a juggle feeding and letting that scary dog out to do his business before and after Mom’s appointments. And Winnie had plans she couldn’t cancel tomorrow. So it’s all on me. It simply wasn’t feasible to squeeze in an extra hour or two to lounge in their tropical oasis. Now I’m going to have to get there at the ass crack of dawn Saturday to let Kodiak out before coming here.
But who needs to enjoy an afternoon by the pool when you’re offered the opportunity to earn another day’s pay at the most infuriating job on the planet?
“Okay.” Biting down on the inside of my cheek, I try to stifle my tears at the realization my short-lived excitement was gone. The only thing worse than losing my day poolside would be allowing Tiffani to take pride in knowing she’d ruined my weekend.
Keep your eye on the prize, Grace. It’s getting you one step closer to affording a reliable car. There’ll be time for the lux life once you graduate nursing school and no longer have infuriating bullies or a deadbeat boyfriend holding you back.
5
BEN
Wiping my brow,I lean forward to peer through my windshield. Yep, this is the place. Dragging my palm down my face at the staggering sight before me, I take a deep breath. It’s just a blank slate, Ben. Keep your eye on the prize.
“Holy hell, it’s hot,” I mutter.Or maybe it merely feels hotter than it is, given this dilapidated motel looks as if it should have tumbleweeds rolling by and the soundtrack from a Clint Eastwood western playing in the distance. Heat appears to dance in waves above the cracked asphalt like one of those oversized windsocks you find at a car dealership.
Moving to Virginia from the UK a few years ago had been quite the adjustment. While England had its fair share of hot summer days, I hadn’t given them much attention due to my overscheduled university calendar. Not to mention, toiling away at my internship kept me inside the confines of a luxurious air-conditioned office most of the summer. Somehow it never seemed as oppressive as Hanover.
Flying across the pond to move in with my long-distance girlfriend kept me home more often than not when I first arrived here. It also pulled my concentration away from my business plan. I’d entered my first serious relationship with blinders on. Trusted her to embark on the journey of starting my venture with me. Instead, I allowed her to distract me from everything I’d been working toward. My focus, as well as my finances, took a serious hit.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
My heart rate escalates as I glance down at my phone. I quickly clear my throat before answering the call. “Ben Banks.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Banks. This is Milton Beaumont. I was reaching out to see if we were still on tonight for dinner to discuss the Lake Anna property.”
“Yes, sir. I’m looking forward to it.” My eyes sweep back over thestructure before me, and I feel my brows draw together at the sight. This is the way rehabs go, Ben. You want an eyesore with a good foundation.
“I do hope you’re bringing your wife. As I mentioned when we spoke previously, this hotel has been in my family for decades. It wouldn’t be the place it is without my late wife, Patricia.”
My eyes drift across the building’s façade, clearly in disrepair. It’s probably been several decades since any refurbishments have been made to the place. I drag my palm down my face. This might be more of an undertaking than I’m prepared to tackle. But from all my research, the bones are good. If all goes well, I can turn this into a chic boutique hotel with a modest amount of capital.
“It was my wife, Patricia’s, pride and joy.”
She must not have set the bar very high.
“Had she not left us so soon, she’d still be sitting behind the counter welcoming guests.”
