Page 13
LILY
Tuesdays are for real estate. My schedule can change quickly on any given day between the two jobs, but I purposefully keep Tuesdays for any clients I might have or searching for leads. I don’t always have to go into the office, but I like getting out of the house and after the breakup, following a routine keeps me in the right headspace. I say hi to Addison at the front desk and she nods at me in acknowledgement. A cool greeting, but I’m used to it.
Sarah, my one nice coworker, is waiting for me at my desk, a big grin and a vase of flowers beside her. “Someone has a secret admirer.”
Frowning, I eye the lilies. It’s a little cliché given my name. “Were you here when they dropped them off?” I must’ve missed the delivery by minutes.
“No, but there’s a note.” Sarah hands it to me, practically giddy.
It must be nice to not be jaded at the idea of love. With a sigh, I stare at the cardstock and the words in simple black font.
You take my breath away.
“So romantic,” Sarah murmurs, reading over my shoulder with absolutely zero shame.
Perhaps if they weren’t from Matt. He’s the only person who’s ever gotten me lilies. I think he’s convinced himself they must be my favorite. I crumple the paper and throw it in the trash, reaching for the vase.
“What are you—”
The vase plops into my trash can, some of the water sloshing out.
Sarah gasps. “You don’t like them?”
“Matt’s trying to apologize.”
Her eyebrows pinch together in confusion.
“We got into a fight,” I explain, shaking my head. “But I’m not accepting his apology.”
She glances at the flowers again, less shocked. “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.” She pauses. “Anything I can help with?”
“Thanks, Sarah. I’m okay.” Quiet settles between us and I mentally curse myself. “Sorry, I’m being rude, how are you?”
“I’m great,” she grins. “Still up for lunch today?”
“Yup.” I set my purse on my desk. “First, though, I need to find some work.” Preferably with local clients.
“It’s slim pickings. Laura and Ryan have been taking all the new leads.”
We share a look. Sarah and I, while not new to real estate, are newer to the company and Ryan and Laura like to piss on their territory. They greet new customers first, bribe the administrative assistant to route calls their way. Not to mention, they have a few years of experience over us and strong reputations for getting the job done.
I’ll bide my time, hoping for some new leads or customers to find me through the deals I’ve successfully worked. Though honestly, considering I’ve only worked with locals, that could take a while. Big Ridge doesn’t see too much business from people who live here, probably five or so clients a year, but there are quite a few tourists or companies buying up homes to use for vacation rentals.
“Well,” Sarah says, glancing toward the door as a couple walks in. “Guess I better get to it. See you at lunch.”
I nod and watch her greet her clients, grateful at least that she and I get along. Sitting down, I settle at my computer to do some research and peruse new real estate in towns nearby.
One way or another, I’ll find some work.
A rejection email lands in my inbox right after lunch with Sarah. I stare at the screen, despair engulfing me.
Your application has been declined due to insufficient credit score and income verification.
That’s the third one this week. Ugh, my life is a disaster. I close the email and drop my head into my hands. The monthly rent at Big Ridge Manor, Mom’s facility, is eating me alive. Between that, the BMW I bought to impress clients, the renovation loan, and trying to chip away at the credit card balances, I’m drowning. I mean, I might already be dead. This could be hell.
Sometimes it feels like it.
Okay, get it together. My stomach churns as I do the math again. If I take on more hours with the cleaning company, push myself harder, and if I can freaking land a sale, I can make enough to pay down my credit cards. It’s not like I have a choice. I wish I had thought more rationally about the renovation, but a bed and breakfast has always been Mom’s dream. Is it so terrible that I want to give her that gift before she loses every part of herself?
