“I know.” I stopped digging for my phone charger and grabbed her hands. “I’m not going into this with rose-colored glasses. But if I get the opportunity to make money, I’m going to take it. We need it.”
She pursed her lips. “We can manage without you going away somewhere.”
“I’m twenty-two, Grammy. I can take care of myself.” I hoped.
“I don’t feel right about this,” she said.
“If it isn’t meant to be, I’ll be on the next bus home,” I said, trying to keep my voice light. I turned to Josie and Bo. “You two be good for Grammy, okay?”
“Okay,” they said solemnly.
I could tell I was breaking their hearts by leaving, but I wasn’t our mother. I got on my knees and hugged them both. “I love you, and I will be back as soon as I can.”
“Okay,” they said again. They were putting on brave faces, and now it was my heart’s turn to break.
“I promise,” I said.
I hugged my grandmother. “I’ll call you as soon as I know what’s going on. Ipromise.”
“I know you will, honey,” she said, but she still dabbed at her eyes.
“Miss?Miss?” The driver was watching me in the rearview mirror. “We’re here. I’ll get your bag.”
“Oh!” That broke my reverie. The drive had passed by in a blur. I’d been so busy worrying about my family and what I wasgetting myself into that I hadn’t even realized how long I’d been in the Uber.
Stepping out onto the bright, sunny Boston sidewalk was jarring. I stretched my legs, feeling disoriented. I’d left farm country, with its rolling hills and babbling brooks, and landed in an urban oasis. The downtown neighborhood was posh and imposing, with immaculate brownstones and flower boxes bursting with blooms. Across the street, a well-dressed woman with enormous designer sunglasses was walking her coiffed, fluffy dog. I felt woefully out of place in my stretched-out leggings, Walmart tank top, and farm-dusty flip-flops.
I wasn’t in my rinky-dink town anymore.
Help…?
I thanked the driver and peered at the buildings, feeling lost. I finally spied a small, bronze sign:AccommoDating, Inc. Grabbing my bag, I took a deep breath and rang the buzzer.
A moment later, Elena opened the door. She was taller than I expected, with short, spiky hair, a gorgeous sapphire-blue pantsuit, and flawless makeup. Her hint of perfume smelled expensive.
I shifted uncomfortably. “Elena? Hi.”
“You must be Rory. Thank you for coming down on such short notice,” she said warmly, and ushered me inside. The office was airy, bright, and so clean I felt bad about my flip-flops. “Right this way.”
I followed as her heels clicked down the hall to a conference room bathed in natural light. It boasted a table laden with delicious-looking sandwiches, salads, and desserts. My stomach snarled audibly, causing my cheeks to heat.
“Please,” Elena said, motioning to the table, “grab a plate and make yourself comfortable. I’m just going to get out my notes.” She opened her laptop and busied herself, giving me space to ogle all the food. There were grilled paninis and salads so prettythey looked like edible art. I was starving and yearned to fill my plate to the brim, but I resisted. My stretched-out leggings were bad enough; if I stuffed my face with all the free food I could get my hands on, shiny clean Elena might kick me out of her upscale office.
“The cupcakes are to die for,” Elena said while looking at her screen. “You should try one. You don’t need to be shy, Rory. Help yourself.”
“I will. Thank you,” I mumbled. I wasn’t sure why, but I felt ashamed by her simple, straightforward kindness. It was like a present that seemed too good for me.
I got up and grabbed a chocolate cupcake anyway.
“First things first,” Elena said. “I had you background checked this morning, and you passed with flying colors.”
I nodded.
“But because this client needs to hire someone today, I went a step further and had our investigative team take a look at your relations.”
My heart sank.
“Your mother has a record,” Elena said.
