Page 20 of Best Kept Vows

I shook her hand.

She was bright and perky, wearing a flowy summer dress. She was probably in her mid-twenties, just a little older than Tristan.

Oh God, everyone here would be younger than me, I thought, suddenly even more self-conscious than I’d been.

“Do you want a drink?” she asked as she led me to Nina’s office.

Two shots of vodka, please. “I’m good. Thank you.”

The office with Nina’s name on it was open, and I saw her at her desk, peering at her laptop screen. When she saw me, she rose and shook my hand. This handshaking was new and professional. Usually, it was hugs and air kisses.

Nina gave off an air of determination that was both comfortingandintimidating. She exuded confidence in her tailored navy pantsuit that flattered hercurves. She was probably my age, I thought,andshe ran her own business, while I’d never worked in my life.

“Lia Boone,” she greeted me warmly, a twinkle in her eyes. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

She motioned me toward a client chair. “Me too,” I replied lamely as I parked my ass.

She studied me thoughtfully, her lips curved just a little. “Betsy is quite taken with you.”

I took a deep breath and steeled myself. This was my first job interview, and no matter how many YouTube videos I’d watched to coach myself, I was very unsure of how to handle myself.

“Thank you.”

Nina eased back comfortably into her chair. “Thank you for sending your CV to Rachel.” She had it in front of her, and I was embarrassed at how there wasnothingon it, just my education and a couple of charity things I’d done that I wasn’t even proud of.

“You planned the Belle of the Ball Charity two years ago, didn’t you?” she asked, surprising me.

I licked my lips. “Yes. Ah…my”—could I say mother-in-law?—“well, the person who had to do it couldn’t, and I stepped in.”

Nina snickered. “Byperson, you mean Dolly.”

I smiled weakly.

“It was a good event. You did well. There were lots of moving parts, and according to the organizer, you excelled.”

I did?

And how did she even know the organizer?

I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded like an idiot.

Nina gave me a deliberate look. “Are you nervous, Lia?”

“Yes,” I hurriedly admitted. “This is…it’s my first job interview.”

Nina laughed. It was easy, casual, and light. “Oh, I remember my first time. I was not nearly as poised as you are.” She then picked up a pen. “What do you think your skills are, Lia?”

I had prepared for this. All the YouTube Interview Gurus had said to prepare for strengths and weaknesses.

“I am organized—very organized.”I can pull together a six-course meal for twenty people, no problem. “I am detail-oriented.”You should see me ice cakes; it’s professional bakery level. “I don’t get flustered easily.”Dolly has tried and failed time and again.“I work hard.”And don’t even expect a pat on the shoulder, as my husband has never appreciated what I do for the family and him.

“All important skills for any job,” Nina remarked. She took some notes on my CV. I didn’t even dare to look in case she’d writtentotal loser.

“I know I have no experience, but?—”

“Yes, you do,” she cut me off smoothly. “You just listed them to me. Look, Lia, you’re not the first woman to take care of her family and find herself in the job market a decade or two later, wondering what she has to offer compared to the hotshot young ones. Here is what I think. You have life experience that no twenty-five-year-old can compete with. Your skills are honed over years of taking care of your family and dealing with the Savannah society bullshit.”

I smiled at that.