“We are. Please work with Grace and the event planner that Evan found for her? I think we’re just going to have a luncheon someplace. Maybe Zano?” I’d suggest Supressa, but we were banned.
She took some notes. “What about your club? They have beautiful rooms overlooking the golf course. Their food is good as well.”
Oh, yes. My golf and tennis club hosted large personal events.
“If Grace is amicable, that works. That’s all for now. And thank you.”
Mrs. K stood. “Of course. Oh, the internship coordinator wants to put that adorable application in the employee newsletter. The education team is excited about thisFuture Internprogram.”
“Great.” Now just to convince the Thornes to let little Tru stay with us for a week or two.
Mrs. K left, and I tried to get caught up.
There was a knock on my door, and Deb, who ran Special Projects, and was Grace’s supervisor, stood there.
“Welcome back, do you have a moment?” she asked.
“Of course, is everything all right?” I looked up.
“We’re selecting our fellows. There’s a Creed Thorne on my short list. Since both you and Grace had inquired about his status, I wanted to check in since I wanted him for Narif’s project,” she replied, taking a seat.
“You can put him wherever you like. He’s Grace’s sibling. We just found this out at the conference. I don’t know if this affectsanything. Though you might check with Grace in case she wants him for her team,” I answered.
Or if Grace wanted him here at all.
“I feel like Riley might create a project for herself, Tru, her friend Hiro, Grace, and Creed, involving space travel, and I’m a little frightened,” I added with a chuckle.
A smile broke over her face. “Riley will be here? This summer is going to be fun. Also, I love the idea of us getting into space travel one day.”
“There really are no limits as to what they can accomplish, and I’m happy to provide a place for them to do that,” I stated.
“I’m impressed with Grace. Her ideas are extraordinary, and she and Blaise are already brainstorming. Thanks for bringing her to the team.” Deb stood. “Also, welcome back. I’m glad you’re okay.”
She left, and I went back to work. There was a lot to do if I wanted to still meet Grace and Wes for lunch.
Chapter Eleven
Evan
“Iris wants me to come home for summer, but I don’t want to,” Rose blurted as we met in the lounge of her dorm at Finchley.
Today was aschool babyafternoon, where I met with my students here at Finchley, going over exactly that–confirming everyone’s summer plans. After all, not everyone had a home to go back to. I’d been doing the same with my students across the city.
After Rose, I just had one more omega. Then I could go home. I’d like a nice dinner, a cocktail, and some alone time with Grace. I even got us something new to try.
“That’s fine. We’ve already got you enrolled in the summer semester here,” I assured as we sat on the couch. The room was painted in relaxing colors, with soothing artwork, comfortable furniture for lounging, and tables for studying or collaborative projects.
Rose thought for a moment. “After our talk, I got in contact with my dad. He invited me to visit for the summer. While I’d like to see him, I don’t know if I want to spend the entire summer there. Being enrolled in classes here, at least for one session, would give me a reason to stay for just a little bit. At the same time, he said that I could have a job as a stable hand for the summer. I know nothing about horses, but I love the idea of learning to ride. Then I could send half the money to Iris, and people would be less mad about me not going home because I’d be working.”
“What doyouwant?” The fact that she evenhadto come up with this made my heart hurt.
“I’m leaning toward the first, even though it would make Iris angry. She wants me to work at the diner and help take care of our siblings. Though her interview went well and she’s going to be starting as a receptionist at the car place, and then picking up diner shifts when she needs to.” Rose added more tiny beads to her bracelet. Today she was making elaborate bracelets that looked like vines.
“I’m so glad.” I was pretty sure their father had arranged that. He was trying to help, though Iris still refused direct assistance.
“Me, too.”
“You should do what makes you comfortable, Rose. It’s perfectly fine to want to get to know your father. I’m glad your reconnection went well. It’s also fine to do it in small increments.Your idea of having it set up so that you have a reason to only spend a certain amount of time there is a good one,” I praised.
