Page 85 of Yours, Unexpectedly

This time the laugh bursts out of me. “She did not!”

“She did.” Her voice drips with horror. “Don’t worry, I defended your honor.”

I pretend to wipe sweat from my brow. “Thank God. I also defended yours. I will provide a plethora of livestock for your dowry.”

She scrunches up her nose. “I’m not even going to ask.”

“Probably for the best,” I joke. “Jules did ask an interesting question, while we’re on the subject.”

“Jules did? That's surprising. He usually stays out of Gabe and Ben’s antics.”

Chuckling, I respond, “He actually did. But then at the end he asked if you stir—”

We’re interrupted by Hugo’s booming voice announcing that dinner is ready and we should make our way inside.

“What were you saying?” Bex asks.

I shake my head. We have plenty of time for that talk later. “Nothing,” I reply, patting her thigh. “Let’s go eat.”

We spend the rest of the night laughing with her family, exchanging little glances and touches, and sneaking off for a heated make-out session in Bex’s childhood bedroom.

I feel like I’ve finally found the family I always wanted. Because this… this is what family is supposed to be.

Dear Diary,

It’s hard to be the baby of the family. Everyone is so busy and I always feel like I’m in the way…

I don’t care how many times Mom tells me to journal, I still hate it.

xo,

Bex

Anders’ MFA showcase is this weekend. I feel like I should do something girlfriend-y to wish him luck, but damn, isn’t it bad luck to wish a performer “Good luck”? I’m honestly super confused about the rules. I debated making him a card or a cake but that seemed childish? Or just not enough? This is a big deal. This is his future.

A future that I want to include me.

My phone buzzes on the coffee table in front of me, a number I don’t recognize flashing across the screen. I pick it up and swipe to answer.

“Hello?”

“Good afternoon. Is this Rebecca Bardot?” A smooth and distinctly female voice comes over the line.

“This is she.”

“Great. This is Claudette Ortiz from SchoolsFirst. I’m calling about the application you submitted for our open community liaison position.”

My heart immediately jumps into my throat. I wasn’t sure they had even received the application that I submitted several weeks ago. I had already made the decision to apply a few places in the city before Anders and I even talked about it, and now I’m equal parts thrilled that I’m getting this call and terrified that I’ll fuck it up.

“Oh! Wonderful. That’s wonderful. Did you… do you have questions about my application?” I ask, aware that I’m rambling. I take a deep breath to center myself.

A melodic laugh comes through the phone. “Relax, Ms. Bardot. I don’t have any questions, but I would love to invite you in for an interview. We were all very impressed with your application and would like to get to know you in person before making any decisions.”

“That’s… wonderful,” I reply, voice breathier than I intended due to the hope that is swelling in my chest.

“So I’ve heard,” Claudette teases. “How soon would you be available to come in? I know you are finishing up your classes so we are willing to make a weekend time work. We’d like to show you some of our weekend programming anyway, before sitting down with the team for an interview.”

“I know it’s soon, but I will actually be in town this weekend. I have something in the evening, but I could be available most of the day on Saturday.”

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