Page 126 of Heartless

“I’ve got the job!”

I sat behind my desk, grinning at the joy in her voice.“Yeah?”

“Yes!Editorial assistant for a publishing company.Well, assistant of the assistant.The company is big, but I’ll work with a small team, and the person who’ll be training me is away until the eighth, which gives me a whole week before I start.It’s mostly remote, so I’ll have plenty of time for my own writing, and Sherry, my future boss is—” She went silent.

“She’s what?”

She cleared her throat.“Sorry.I was just excited, and...”

I leaned into my cell.“Talk to me, baby.”

After a sigh, her voice pitched low.“I didn’t mean to bore you with the details, and I’m sorry for interrupting.I just got the call and I uh...”The smile returned to her voice.“I’m going to text Camila and Bianca and I’m going to share the news with my mom.See you tonight?”

“See you tonight, beautiful.”

I clutched my cell in my fist.She had an inquisitive mind, a quick, derisive wit, and she laughed easily, but she hadn’t shared anything about what made her tick, or her writing.And I hadn’t questioned it.

But she remembered every word of every conversation, and I’d fucking trashed that too.Fuck.

****

Sienna

The grass was soft under my knees, and the sun was gleaming on Mom’s tombstone.While I replaced the faded, dry flowers with a fresh, vibrant bouquet, I talked about my new job and my first real date with Jake.Then I took a deep breath and pitched my voice low.Not because I was afraid of being heard, but because my chest was strangling the words stumbling out of my heart.

“I don’t know what to do, Mom.He was cruel to me, but he’s wonderful now, and he treats me like I’m precious to him.”I could almost hear Mom’s voice.“I know, Mom.I know I shouldn’t stay with someone who doesn’t respect my mind.”

After picking up the wilted flowers, I stood up and brushed off the grass blades from my skirt.As I tossed the withered bouquet in the iron garbage bin, the ring of my cell made me jump.I’d left a voicemail to Camila, who was calling me back.Hurrying back to my car, I picked up the call.

“We have to celebrate, Sia,” she declared, and I laughed.

“Yes, we do.What do you have in mind?”

While I pulled out to the road, I giggled harder at her grand plan rivaling my birthday party.

“Camila, it’s just a job.”

Her tone turned bossy.“No, Sia, it’s an achievement.Achievements are successes, and successes must be celebrated.”

I liked that.

“And how are you, Camila?Have you decided on the type of business you would like to open?”

“I’m still undecided.A mix of both would be perfect, or maybe something else altogether.”

Yes, she was clearly undecided.While I veered into the underground parking of my condo, she paused, and her voice dropped to a near-whisper.“Sia, I’ve met someone.”

I parked and put the cell to my ear.“What’s his name?What does he do?How did you meet?”

When silence met my questions, I unbuckled my seatbelt and sat back.“Camila?”

She cleared her throat.“She.It’s a woman, and her name is Jo.Jodie.She’s one of my teachers.”

Getting out of my car, I smiled while hooking my purse on my shoulder.“Ooh.The teacher and the student.How romantic.What is she like?”

She chuckled before telling me about the woman who’d put that warmth in her voice.

After making plans for Jake, Silas, and I to go over to her place for dinner in two weeks, we rang off.