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Good-bye prestigious law degree and hello two minimum wage jobs. Paying off expensive college debt is about as fun as it sounds. After my dad’s money went to pay all his legal fees and then the loan sharks for his newfound gambling addiction, I’m left with little recourse in thedinerodepartment.
I’ve learned the hard way no one wants to work with a stained lawyer. Thanks to my dad, the March name is ruined on the east coast. No one wants anything to do with a law firm that has known criminal ties. It doesn’t matter that he’s dead now.
“Are you going to sit there all afternoon staring at the water or are you going to help me pick out a baby name for the little one?” Serenity scooches a brick-sized book across the small knee-high table between us along with the half-full platter of fresh strawberries.
Her phone rings and the second the phone is to her ear, she giggles. I already know it’s her husband.
“I thought you like waiting until after the little bundle arrives,” I say when she hangs up.
I curl the tip of my tongue around the juicy fruit and slide my feet off either side of the lounge to feel the heated, dry sand slip between my toes. It almost feels like I’m grounding myself from the onslaught of emotions that always hits me when I think of the crap my father did to land me on this side of the poverty line.
“We want to do things a little differently this time.” There’s a playful glint in her eyes that makes me smile when I’d rather play the poor me game a little while longer.
“Or… I can name her after you.”
“It’s a girl?” My heart leaps as she confirms it with a big smile.
“Nah. Vannah is okay, but your girl deserves something badass.” I pick up the hefty book that looks like it’s had some good use. “Good Lord. You could kill someone with this thing. Forget all the bodyguards your husband insists on. One good chuck is all it would take.”
The security detail I’m talking about does a good job of keeping themselves concealed, but the four men in black suits on a Florida beach tend to stand out no matter their camouflaging abilities. Poor bastards probably want to kill us both for how long we’ve been out here. But screw them. It’s been weeks since I’ve seen my best friend and I don’t know how long before I get a day off again.
Speaking of the daily grind…I let out a heavy sigh when I catch sight of the clock on her phone. “I gotta get back, babe. Rain check on the name hunt? I have work in a couple of hours.” My head is a little hazy from the strawberry margaritas Serenity insisted I try for the both of us while she nursed a virgin pina colada.
God, I miss this. The easy-going days. The feeling of carefreeness.
Suck it up, buttercupI reprimand myself. Pity parties are for others, not for me. Besides, nothing lasts forever, right?
The humor falls from Serenity’s face and I know what she’s about to say. She’s said it every single day since my dad died.
She grabs my hands in hers. The worry and kindness pouring from her gaze drench me in love. “Come live with us, Vannah. Please. You can help me with the kids while you get your feet under you. The new one here will arrive any day now and Lucas is worried sick about not being here when the time comes.”
I take a seat on her chair. Our fingers interlock just like they always did when we would huddle together as kids and whisper our deepest secrets to each other. “I will be on your doorstep the second you go into labor, but I am never anyone’s third wheel.”
Her face falls and I swear she takes my heart with her. I know she only wants to help but I can’t burden her with my problems when she needs to focus on her young family.
“I got this. Promise. Okay?” I’m not so sure it’s not pride doing the talking here, but I’m not down yet. I still have some options lined up and some interviews with a few law firms out west who haven’t heard of my name and the scandal attached to it. I have food and a roof. It will have to do until I can rebuild.
“I’ll call you tonight, okay?” I press a quick kiss to her cheek and rub her bulging belly. “For good luck,” I tease with a wink and gather my beach tote.
She grabs for me again and I stop. “You can’t go to his house. Not alone. Let me send some men with you if that is where you are headed. You don’t need to clean out his house all alone.”
My father’s house sits about a quarter of a mile from here and is the last possession he left on this earth. Frankly, I am surprised no one has tried to take it with all the lingering debts that man left behind when his liver finally gave out three months ago.
“I’m not. Now stop worrying about me.” I bend and hug her tight. Friends are scarce and friends who worry about you even more so. “I’m okay, babe,” I promise her yet again. “Keep your phone close.”
She nods, grabbing another pickle from the jar. Bless her.
“Do you want me to walk you to the house before I head out?”
“Nah, I’m going to get a few more minutes of peace before the dinner feeding frenzy starts.”
I leave my friend on the beach with the promise to call tonight and make my way out to the street through a side gate. Though I said no, now her worry has me wondering if I should swing by my father’s. I could pack up a few more boxes. Getting the high-end house on the market would pay for my move west if it all pans out with the interviews and I’m tired of putting it off.
“Ms. March?” My mental rambling screeches to a halt as I latch Serenity’s side gate.
“Yes?” I turn at the sound of my name on a man’s lips and then the sunshine and coconut-scented sunscreen is erased with the smell of something sickly sweet.
Two
