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We talked for a while about everyone’s jobs and just as I was starting to feel like they weren’t going to ask me and Rachel, Charlie faced me and said the words I hated the most.
“What do you do, Jane?”
And I froze.
Dropping my hands to my lap, I slowly looked around the table. I was surrounded by women who held all different types of jobs, had accomplished so much already, most of them who were obviously younger than me, and I hadn’t done anything.
Rachel reached down and squeezed my hand. “Jane plans a lot of events.”
“That’s interesting.” Bree sat forward. “You know, I was just approached about planning a wedding reception. I’ve never done anything like that, but I designed the bride and groom’s renovated kitchen, and they liked it so much, they want me to do their wedding. They said I really got their style. I told them I’d let them know next week.”
“You should see some of the pictures of events she’s done.” Rachel nudged me with her elbow. “Show her the ones on your phone.”
Bree sat up taller. “I’d love to see them.”
I hesitated, but I didn't have a choice with everyone’s eyes on me. Pulling my phone from my purse, I scrolled through the pictures and then handed it to her. “You can just scroll through. I’m not a designer, though, so keep that in mind.”
Bree tapped on my phone, and my stomach knotted. She was a professional designer looking at what I did for charity events. None of which would hold a candle to a real designer.
After a minute of silence, Bree spoke. “These pictures are gorgeous.”
Rachel nudged me again and sat back. “I’ve told her a million times she should take design classes.”
Bree looked up from my phone. “You don’t need to. These are fabulous.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “Absolutely and I don’t give out compliments that aren’t deserved.”
Harper snorted. “She sure as hell doesn’t.”
“Let me see.” Grace held out her hand toward my phone.
Bree handed her the phone but kept her eyes on me. “Whose house was that?”
“Mine,” I admitted, feeling a little shy about her seeing pictures of my home. “I just did what I liked or what I felt fit the house in the best way.”
“It’s gorgeous.” She sat back and crossed her legs. “Would you consider coming to work for me?”
My eyes widened. “Doing what?”
“Designing,” she said as if I should’ve guessed that. “I’m swamped right now designing the interior of model homes for Ben, but I’d love to expand my business and do events. You could take on this reception. I’ll help you, of course, but we could see how it goes. If you like it and we work well together, we’ll continue, but if it doesn’t work, we’ll part ways with no hard feelings.”
Harper smirked. “What if one of you likes it and one doesn’t?”
I smiled at the annoyed glance Bree sent Harper. “It would ultimately be my decision.” She looked back at me. “But I’d like to think we’d be on the same page.”
I felt a tiny bit of excitement at the thought, but I was afraid to get my hopes up. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course.” She studied me for a moment. “Can I ask why you’re hesitating?”
I took a deep breath and exhaled, but luckily, Rachel spoke before I could. “Our families make it difficult to branch out on our own.”
“What do you mean?” Becs asked.
“We’re expected to do exactly what our mothers have done. Marry well, have children, but not more than two, and work with several influential charities.”
Charlie’s forehead wrinkled. “What if you want a career?”
