Best to nip this in the bud. I send Georgia a text.
–Me: Where are you? Text me back as soon as you hit LAX.
–Georgia: Too late. I’m not in LAX. So does this mean I shouldn’t text you back? :sticking-tongue-out-emoji:
Haha, very funny. Tears of mirth are streaming down my face.
–Me: Where are you?
–Georgia: Home, just got done unpacking. I landed at nine. Is it me or are you grouchy? Are you feeling buyer’s remorse right now? Five million is a lot of money!
Buyer’s remorse? Is this the kind of conversation she’s going to have if she hangs out with my Molly?
–Me: Don’t say anything weird to screw things up between me and Molly.
–Georgia: Ha! I knew it. So you bid $5M on her, right?
–Me: Yes. And don’t tell Mom if you haven’t.
Mom’s terrible with Google, and her assistant isn’t any better. I don’t need her harassing and scaring Molly. I’m used to the way Mom get pushy, but Molly isn’t.
–Georgia: I didn’t and I won’t. I’m not stupid. Nikki is amazing, but she can be single-minded.
–Me: Good.
–Georgia: But I have to warn Molly! She has no idea what she’s getting into.
Oh no, you don’t.I’m not letting my stepsister ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
–Me: Stay out of it. If you offer to let her crash at your place or say that I might be having buyer’s remorse over the auction, I’ll run you over with my car.
–Georgia: Ooooh. At least I’ll be run over by a car worth over half a million dollars!
I generally enjoy her sarcastic humor, but not right now.
–Me: You wish. I’m going to buy a rusty Pinto just for you. You aren’t worth a Bentley!
Chapter Thirty
Molly
After I send in my reports to Elaine, my phone pings and some texts from Nicholas pop up on the screen.
–Nicholas: Every day is special if you’re with me.
Aww. I smile. All the stress from the day melts away.
Then I read the other ones about Jack and Arturo.
The former is always difficult… Oh…wait. Does Nicholas suspect that my boss could become vindictive after not winning me at the auction?
It’s scary how accurate Nicholas is about Jack, but I haven’t seen Arturo since Saturday at the ballroom. And he doesn’t come in until midmorning anyway, according to his timesheets. I doubt he’s going to bother me. He can be a bit intense, but he hasn’t done anything to make me think he’s a creep, even if he and Nicholas don’t seem to get along.
I have a new email alert—it’s from a small grocery store chain in the region. I applied to their accounting division a couple of weeks ago. But when they didn’t respond, I crossed them off my list. Guess they were just taking their sweet time. But this is my first—potential—interview! Hopeful excitement twirls inside me like little ballerinas.
Dear Molly,
My name is Lilian Hampton and I’m the Personnel Manager at LocalGro. We are impressed with your qualifications and would like to meet for an in-person interview if you’re still interested in pursuing an exciting career at our company. When would be good for you?
