“Just a moment,” I squeaked and bent over to try not to pass out.
Lexi:Spencer Richmond just offered me a job!!! For a crap ton of moola.
McKenna:Negotiate.
Lexi:But it’s so much money …
McKenna:F*** negotiate bitch!
“Up that number by thirty thousand,” I said, happy that my voice didn’t squeak once, “and you have yourself a deal.”
Spencer laughed.
“Deal. Can you start in two weeks, give me time to get you signed on? I have an international conference coming up.”
“Yes,” I said. I was going to have to beg my parents to drive me in the VW bus to Orlando to catch a flight, but I would hitchhike to make it back to Manhattan.
“Yay, Lexi!”my parents cheered.
My job offer letter had a place of honor at the table. Even though they hadn’t asked for it, I wanted to show them that this time I actually had a real legitimate job offer doing work that I had gone to school for.
“Hold it up. Let me get a picture.” My mom held up her camera.
“Put Gizzy in the picture too,” my dad coaxed as I posed for photos.
In the days after the call with Spencer, I’d been productive while waiting for the official offer letter. I had picked up trash that had washed up on the beach in the morning, helped several of the elderly town residents ready their homes for the incoming cold front, and written a freelance article for the local newspaper. I had only thought about Grayson four times. And I hadn’t cried once.
“We knew you could do it, Lexi.” Mom gave me a noisy kiss on the top of my head.
“McKenna’s going to be so excited that you’re moving back,” my dad said, eyes dancing.
I sent her the photo of the job offer.
Lexi:It’s official!
McKenna:Woooo!!!
McKenna:Now you can come back and live with me and Grenadine if you can stomach it.
Lexi:I thought they were tearing down the building?
McKenna:Apparently whoever bought the building is renovating it.
McKenna:And they’re putting us up in hotels for part of it while they do the work.
Lexi:Wait, what? I thought they were tearing it down?
McKenna:It’s a spring miracle! Those expensive candles with the herbs and crystals really worked.
Lexi:I’m suspicious. Real estate development companies don’t do stuff like this out of the goodness of their hearts.
McKenna:Maybe this company is different.
McKenna:You’re the one who always says see the best in people.
The old Lexi had, but no more. I had learned one thing from Grayson—be suspicious so you can head off nasty surprises. I’d been too la-di-da about red flags the first time around with the last landlord.
This time?
