Page 399 of His Virgin Romance Series

Jason narrowed his eyes at me. “Are you done feeling sorry for yourself?”

“Umm no,” I said. “The whole reason I came down to spend the week with Mom and Dad was so that I could really dig my heels in and feel sorry for myself. You know, get a really good pity party going.”

Jason guffawed. “You’re funny; you know that?”

“I try,” I replied seriously.

He shook his head at me in amusement. Then I saw his eyes slip to the computer screen behind me. “Been doing some trolling, have you?”

“Please,” I said. “Trolling is not my style. Though if anyone deserved to be trolled, it would be Martin Lithgow.”

“What’s the internet saying about him?”

“Apparently, there’s talk of an SEC investigation being opened up,” I replied. “I’m not sure if it was really bad management or money laundering, but either way, he’s not going to be able to get away that easy.”

“That’s something.”

“I guess,” I nodded. “I just… I really liked working there. The atmosphere was great, the people were great, and even the money was decent.”

“Were any of your friends laid off?”

“Seven.” Jason let out a low whistle. “I was closest to Anita. She’s a single mom who really needed this job. I keep thinking of all the other people who depended on this company to keep them employed so that they could support their families and pay their mortgages.”

“I know it’s hard, Molls,” Jason said. “But the sad truth is that layoffs come with the corporate territory.”

“Apparently, so does scandal.”

Jason laughed darkly. “How are you doing…financially?”

“I got a severance package,” I reminded him.

“I know, but that won’t last you too long,” he pointed out.

“If you’re about to offer me money, Mom and Dad already beat you to the punch, and I already turned them down.”

Jason sighed. “Where did all this pride come from?” he demanded. “Because it certainly doesn’t run in the family.”

I laughed. “Are you saying you would accept money from me if the roles were reversed?”

“In a heartbeat,” he nodded. “You’re my sister; who better to borrow money from?”

“You’re a good liar.”

“I happen to be telling the truth.”

“Please,” I said, rolling my eyes. “You know that you’d never be in a position to accept money from anyone, which is why you can afford to say you would.”

“Come on, Molls,” Jason persisted. “What’s the point in making so much money if I can’t help out my baby sister. I’m just talking about giving you a couple of grand.”

“A couple of grand?” I repeated. “Are you nuts?”

“Uh…my therapist seems to think I’m neurotic,” he replied sheepishly. “But not nuts…no.”

I gave him a half smile. “I appreciate the offer, big brother, I really do,” I assured him. “But I want to do this on my own. But I promise that if I’m ever that hard up, I’ll come to you.”

He smirked. “Funny…”

“What is?” I asked.

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