Page 51 of Prove Me Wrong
I shake my head, letting out a slow exhale. “It’s fine. I’ll just heat something up and pass out. You can go if you want. I'm sure June will be expecting you.”
“All right, but please call me if she gets worse?” Her tone is questioning rather than requesting.
Nodding with a faint smile, I open the front door for her. “I will. Thank you for staying with her, Grey. It means a lot to me.”
“Of course,” she murmurs before stepping onto the porch. “And second place was awesome.”
“Yeah?” My grin widens.
“Yeah,” Mia echoes. “I left you something on the bench. A little celebration present.” My eyebrow arches in question, and Mia shakes her head, hiding her beautiful smile from me. I wish I could see it. “You’ll have to go see for yourself.” And with that, she walks down the steps.
I wait for her to get into her house before wandering into the kitchen to see a plate of lemon squares waiting for me on the bench, just like her gran’s. Sniffing a laugh, I walk closer to see the note beside them.
You’re the best driver in my eyes, #34.
I murmur out a low curse, running my fingers through my hair as my pulse continues to thump away.
Grey has definitely stolen a part of my heart. I know she’s keeping hers guarded and believes she’s not ready to hand it over to me, but I am going to prove to her that she’s wrong.
Chapter Eighteen
MIA
The email stares back at me, my fingers on the laptop keys.
Moving to Barrenridge to be with Gran, I was forced to leave my cosy, stable job at the bookstore, which was possibly the best place to work. Stocking books, changing signage, making sure everything was in order, and having very basic interactions with quiet customers was perfect for my anxiety, but I had to leave it all behind.
I’ve been applying for graphic design companies since I left university at the end of last year, and they always give me the same generic response that I don’t have enough experience yet, which defeats the point of being a graduate. Of course, I don’t have experience yet…
And don’t get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying looking after Jade—she is a delight of a toddler—but Mum’s words constantly flow through my mind, reminding me that it’s not a career. She’s work-driven, passionate about her business and profession, and has instilled in my mind since I started school to strive for the greatest career. It makes me feel this intense pressure and guilt that I’m letting her down, despite how much I try to shove it aside. I should be happy, not suffocating.
Right now, I can imagine a smile spreading across Mum’s sharp face as I stare at an email from a well-known design company in Sydney invitingme to attend an interview in a few weeks' time for a junior position. I have no idea why they are offering me this opportunity since I don’t have any experience, but it’s a dream offer.
All I can do is read it over and over, my throat drying as I try to comprehend the words that don’t seem to stick in my reeling mind. I never thought a popular company like this one would even offer meanything, let alone a junior position.
Palms beginning to perspire, I lean back against the headboard of my bed, laptop resting on my folded legs. I pick up my phone. I don’t know why, but I need someone to talk to me so that I know this opportunity is real. I almost wish someone could pinch me right now. Putting the phone on speaker, I wait for him to pick up.
“Hey.”
“Sin, something happened and?—”
His gruff voice cuts me off immediately. “I’ll kill him. Where’s he at?” he growls into the phone.
Pressing my eyes shut, my head shakes in confusion. “No, what? No, shut up and listen.”
“Did you just tell me?—”
“Yes, now do it!” I snip back at him.
My brother remains silent, and I let out a sigh before telling him about the email open on my laptop screen. About the opportunity, and how good this would be for my career. That it’s not something they offer to people like me. As I explain the situation, there’s a small voice in the back of my mind reminding me about Jade and how much Noah needs me to help him.
“What do you think?” I ask when I’ve shared everything with Sinnett.
“That you really have no manners,” he grumbles bitterly.
My eyes roll slowly. “About the interview, Sin!” I jump off my bed and start pacing around the small bedroom. Moths are back in my stomach, because as much as I want to go for this interview, I’m being tugged back to this small town, knowing that I can’t just leave Noah and Jade. He needs me here, and I don’t want to let him down.
Sinnett is quiet for a long minute, making my erratic nerves burst through my veins when he asks, “Is it what you want, Mia?”
