Page 10 of Miss Treated

“Sounds good. Thanks.”

I’d just sat down in my office chair and booted up my computer when my father walked in. He shut the door behind him. “Are you taking Kelsey around to meet everyone today?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Sophia is going to be a problem.”

“Not surprising. I take it yesterday’s meeting didn’t smooth things over?”

He scoffed. “No, she’s stubborn.”

A bit of the pot calling the kettle black, but I didn’t bother to mention it.

“I need you to act as intermediary.”

“Between you and Aunt Sophia?”

“No, between Kelsey and Sophia. If Kelsey needs something, you can be the messenger.”

“Should be fun.” I’d piss off either my favorite aunt or the girl I was crushing on.

“Welcome to business. Also, we’re heading into budget season soon. I’m sending over last year’s for you to look at. I expect you to learn our operating budget inside out and find some cost-cutting measures.”

I’d rather do anything but look at numbers. My favorite part of the job was getting to know the employees and how to manage them and learning about the customers in terms of sales and marketing—at least it was interesting. Budgeting, not so much.

He turned to go but hesitated at the door. “Also, your mother requested us both to be home for dinner by six on Thursday.”

Ah. Yes. My nineteen-year cancer-free anniversary. Every year on the date they’d announced I was in remission from childhood leukemia at age eight, my mom ensured we held a celebration of the milestone. The woman had gone through it all every step of the way with me, so I could never deny her this pleasure.

“I’ll be there.”

Chapter Five

Kelsey

I put my head in my hands as soon as Dominic left my office. I was officially a bumbling idiot. To be fair, the man was gorgeous, and to have him within inches of me—well, it fried my brain. He was a complete distraction. But nothing more.

Dominic couldn’t be any further from my league if he tried. After yesterday’s lunch, it was clear he was into the blond beauties like those at the restaurant, women who’d grown up with a beach vibe and confidently knew how to flirt. I was severely stunted in that area. Unlike most girls, who learned how to navigate the dating scene in high school and college, I’d always been with the same guy. And over the years, the same man had chipped away at my self-confidence until I’d nothing left of it. Months later, I continued to repair the damage he’d done.

My phone lit up with a call, and I winced with the number displayed. My mother. It was tempting to ignore her. After all, I was at work, but my mom, not used to being ignored, would keep calling all day long if I sent it to voicemail. Best to get the conversation over with.

“Hello.”

She huffed. “What took you so long to answer?”

Three rings was hardly a long time. “I’m at work.”

“You’re in New York? I’m happy you came to your senses and went back to your old job.”

I gritted my teeth. “No, as I mentioned last week, I accepted an independent assignment in San Diego.”

“I don’t understand the appeal of California. I really don’t.”

No, she preferred old money, country club memberships, and time in the Hamptons. As part of working on the post-breakup version of myself in therapy, I’d been advised to establish better boundaries with my mother. It was clear she didn’t agree with my choices. She’d adored Joel, and in her mind, I’d never do better.

“I know you don’t understand, but I’m happy.”

“Have you met someone new?”