Page 57 of Courage, Dear Heart

She comes from behind the counter to greet me. “You’re here more often than my part-time employees. Are you looking for a side job, perhaps?”

I lean into her and kiss her cheek. “That’s not a bad idea at all. What’s the store policy on dating the boss?”

She presses his lips together and looks up as if in deep thought. “Hmmm. I may have to consult HR about that.” Then returns to safety behind the counter.

“Remember when I told you about my lunch with my cousins?”

“Yes.”

I smile. “I wish you could have been in my office this morning. It was beautiful.”

Her eyes widen. “What happened?”

“I got to the office and my father, my cousin Josh, and his father were in the middle of a huge fight.”

Jillian gasps. “Oh no, I hope everybody was okay.”

“Oh, they were fine. It wasn’t a physical fight. A lot of yelling and blame shifting. Each accusing the other of having said something to Nikki and Mandy. Well, not their father. He was mad on their behalf. He’s the youngest of the three and was never taken as seriously.”

Jillian moves a vase to the side. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

Her interest makes me want to kiss her. “I walked into the firm and I saw the commotion. Their voices could be heard down the hall. I immediately knew what was happening, so I snuck into my office, got on the phone, and started working like it was a day like any other.”

I can’t help the smile on my face.

“Don’t stop, tell me more.” She’s leaning onto the counter between us now and I get a peek at her cleavage.

“My father came into my office, and he was furious. I was on the phone, so I made him wait a couple extra minutes, which of course only made him angrier.”

Jillian’s hand goes to her mouth.

“When I finally hung up the call, my father accused me of instigating my cousins, which, of course, I denied. I should win an Oscar for that acting job.”

Jillian laughs. “Did he believe you?”

I nod. “Yeah, I think he did.”

“Could this get back to you somehow? Get you in trouble?”

I shrug. “The worst he can do is fire me, and honestly, I’d be happy if he did.”

She frowns. “Why not quit then?”

“It’s complicated. It’s a family-run business. For generations now. If I left and went to work for the competition, it would hurt more than my father. It would hurt other people in the company I care about, too.”

She sighs. “I can understand that. The ties that bind us are sometimes a trap.”

More than she can imagine. Two years, I remind myself again.

I smile, trying to lift the mood again. “My sisters talked to our cousins about you, and now Nikki and Mandy want to meet you.”

“I’d love to meet them.”

I laugh. “I don’t know about that. You, my cousins, and my sisters all together? It feels like trouble. I’m a little scared.”

She grins. “Nah, feels like a fun outing. I’ll bring Sheila too.”

“I don’t know if I can handle all that girl power.”

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