Page 24 of Not In The Contract

“She’s insane,” I breathed, the sigh slipping free unintentionally. “I know you said she’d had to become regimented to juggle her jobs and school, but this?”

I slid my laptop onto her knees and she took it from me, squinting her eyes behind her thick glasses.

“Ah! It’s been ages since I last saw an Alex Approved Schedule,” she gasped.

I sneered in displeasure and pulled my laptop back. “She’s going to end up kicking me out.” I groaned. “There’s no way I can keep up with this schedule. She’s even allotted times to eat, Paula. Who does that?”

She patted my shoulder gently and offered me a smile. “Alex does,” she said. “And for good reason. But it’s only two months. I’m sure you’ll be just fine.”

I wasn’t so sure of that.

“You have more faith in me than I do,” I mumbled unhappily. “I feel so stupid worrying about this. I should be able to stick to this and not stress about fucking up. It’s mydissertation, for God’s sake.”

Paula frowned. “I know you’re worried because you think you’re an airhead.” She sighed and shushed me as I opened my mouth to retort. “Don’t deny it, I know you well enough. You’re worried because after this you have to face a big decision. Something I don’t think you want just yet. Am I right?”

My shoulders slumped and I sank into the bench. “Yes,” I murmured.

“I know,” she said. “But once this little adventure of yours is done with, there are hundreds more waiting for you. You don’t want to miss out just because you were a little scared of taking a single step forward, right?”

No, I realized.

And maybe this next adventure would be a great story to tell my kids someday.

8. The Proverbial Hot Seat

Alex

I’dknowntheminuteI sat down that brunch would be unpleasant.

After avoiding all invites since the last brunch I’d been dragged out of my office, kicking and screaming, by Taylor.

She now sat next to me, innocently sipping her virgin martini and snickering with Hayden.

“How are things?” Frankie asked, probably taking pity on me and the dark storm cloud I lugged around with me.

“Could be better,” I said, pointedly staring at her girlfriend. “But if you’re asking about work, it’s going pretty well.”

“You started on your orphanage, right?” she asked, scooting closer.

I nodded. “The construction team officially started yesterday,” I told her. I couldn’t help the flutter of elation I got from sharing the news. All my friends knew how much it meant to me.

“That’s so exciting!” Hayden chipped in. “Is there a provisional timeline yet?”

“If all goes well,” I sighed, “it’ll be done in seven months. But I know how these things can sometimes go so I’ve allowed for a nine month timeline to account for any unseen eventualities.”

“Which will probably never happen with you overlooking things.” Hayden winked.

“Don’t jinx anything, please.” I cringed. “Plenty of things can go wrong on site. It’s why I constantly have Health and Safety up my ass. We’ve never been in violation but they don’t give up.”

“They’re probably hoping you slip up somewhere so they can fine you an arm and a leg,” Reid chimed.

I nodded. “The city is well aware of the Bell wealth,” I muttered. “And they’ve tried to sabotage us before. Not that they’ve ever succeeded.”

“I love when she talks like a crime lord.” Hayden snickered.

I flipped her off but laughed along with them. “I manage all my troubleslegally, thank you very much,” I reminded them. “Unlike some people.”

“It worked out just fine.” Reid laughed, not taking the bait. “And we weren’t exactly lying.”