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“I’ll give her a ride wherever she wants to go.”
“I bet,” Max mutters. I’m grateful he’s sitting right beside me, and it seems no one else heard him.
I fight the urge to jab him in the side because it would be childish, but no more childish than him spouting off at the mouth.
Chapter 15
Devyn
“Still no word?”
I shake my head.
After the meeting, Em assured me people were going to invest in Devyn Malloy Designs even if I didn’t get the order for the embroidered footballs. She ordered the machine last night, stating that I’ll need it for Alyssa and Harley’s investment, anyway.
I spent a few hours yesterday after the meeting making a few more dresses for some of the girls at the shelter and then went over online fabric choices for the pajamas Alyssa wanted me to make. I was glad she didn’t find pre-made pajamas that she liked because it gives me the opportunity to make each of them. It speaks to my fashion heart to do so. It’ll take a week before that fabric is delivered. I’ve always hated the waiting game part of everything.
I open my mouth, but my phone chimes with a notification. I do my best to remain calm when I see Mr. Benson’s name at the top of the text thread.
Mr. Benson: The Farmington Peewee Football organization would like to formally accept your proposition on our project, but there’s an issue with the price.
My heart races. I knew better than to ask what I did, but Em assured me my original price was too low.
My phone chimes again.
Mr. Benson: With the price of footballs, we’ll need you to adjust the individual price from your offer of $30 per ball to $50 per ball.
I blink down at the text. What person in their right mind would demand to pay more?
“What’s that look for?”
“He wants to pay me twenty dollars extra per ball than I bid.”
Em smiles. “Fifty is still a great price for them. They’re selling for sixty and higher online.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it,” Em insists. “Phil is also the one in charge of both the softball and baseball leagues in town. Play your cards right and he may order some of those cute baseballs we saw online while doing research.”
My heart flutters with excitement as I text back, letting him know I’m thrilled to get started.
We text back and forth, ironing out all the details, and I feel like a real business owner when he says he’ll email over the contract.
“He’s going to email the contract, and after it’s signed, he’s going to make a fifty percent down payment.”
“You should have Faith look over the contract. She’s a lawyer.”
I frown. “Will he try to cheat me somehow?”
“Not a chance,” she assures me. “But it’s a good practice to get into. Plus, Faith mentioned a wonky hemline on one of her dresses a few days ago, and it never hurts to have an attorney on retainer. She’ll be here tomorrow for the get-together we’re having for the new guys, which reminds me. The rooms will need to be refreshed.”
I follow her out of the house, feeling light on my feet. My world is looking up. For the first time in a long time, I’m ecstatic about my future. I may have had doubts about coming to New Mexico, but it’s proving to be the best decision of my life.
“The cleaning supplies are in here,” Em says, opening a door in the hallway. “It’s going to be those three rooms on that end.”
I nod, my eyes following the point of her fingers.
“Laundry pods are in the cabinet above the washer. Any questions?”
I shake my head, wanting to give her a hug and thank her for all of her help.
For the first time in my life, I have a smile on my face while facing household chores. She said everyone earns their keep, but honestly, she’s done more for me than I even knew to ask for. I’d gladly scrub these floors with a two-bristle toothbrush if that’s what she wanted. Fortunately, she has a mop and bucket instead.
I carry supplies to the furthest room and then proceed to strip the bed, moving to the next room to do the same. It’s going to take more than one trip to the laundry room, so I know it’s also going to take multiple loads. I realize it won’t be as many as I suspected because the washers—yes plural—and dryers are commercial sized, much larger than residential machines.
“Nice,” I say, the sheets and pillowcases from all three beds fitting inside one machine, leaving the other two washers available for the comforters.
With the wash going, I head back to the first room. With my hands on my hips, I decide that the bathroom would be the best place to start. I pop in my earbuds, selecting an upbeat playlist from the music app on my phone, and get to work.
