Page 19 of Fresh Canvas
I didn’t like the idea of hiding anything from my potential new boss. Relationships should be founded with honesty, not with skeletons hidden in closets.
“Let me get this straight, Amantha.” Blythe’s green eyes bore into mine. “Not only did you have the guts to stand up to Val, but it will drive him absolutely bananas if you work here?”
“I wouldn’t say I was gutsy, to be honest. Mostly just mad. But, yes. I don’t think he’d appreciate me working here at all.” I glumly stared down at my boring gray dress pants.
“Great.” A devious smile split Blythe’s face. “When can you start?”
six
AMANTHA
My sight snagged on Russo’s vacant office for the hundredth time. It felt like a ticking time bomb was down to mere seconds before he was going to storm in and blow up my newfound career. I doubted he knew I’d been hired, and I wasnotexcited for him to find out.
Kate had offered to come in early to train me. Despite how opposite we seemed, I had a feeling Kate and I would become fast friends. Kate Chen moved through the world as if it were her runway, with her trendy style and devil-may-care attitude, but I sensed there was a softness to her beneath it all. Like her fierceness might also extend into a loyal friendship.
But regardless of my gratitude, I was only absorbing a fraction of her information, thanks to my spiraling mind. Not only did I need to succeed at this job for Anthony, but I wanted to.
Wanted to prove to myself that I could. Make up for the years I had sacrificed.
Sweat clung to the small of my back.
I subtly scratched my nose and peeked under my armpits for sweat stains.
That’s just great.
Despite my liberal application of antiperspirant this morning, the two damp crescents I found in my armpits seemed to scream,“I’m a washed-up mom with fluff for brains and an icy heart for abandoning my child this morning.”
My chest tightened at the memory of Anthony’s perfect sleeping face when I had snuck into his room. Leaving him felt beyond unnatural.
I exhaled a shaky breath.
“I know it’s a lot.” Kate offered a sympathetic smile. She rounded the two mahogany desks and plopped down at her computer in her lime green silk top. She had twisted her long black hair into an effortless-looking bun on the top of her head today.
She said, “The new software system is so annoying. It took me forever to learn after they updated it, so you’re already doing better than me.” Her silver bracelets clinked against her keyboard while she typed.
“Thanks, Kate. I really appreciate all your help.”
My phone vibrated with a text atop the desk, sending my stomach to my throat and back again. I clapped my hand to my skittering heart and wished Russo would just show up already and rip the bandaid off.
RYAN: So you really went through with ditching our son? Knew it was only a matter of time. I found out this morning when I called Anthony.
My nostrils flared, though a slight smarting in my eyes encouraged me to take a deep, calming breath. This was none of his business.
AMANTHA: Then this shouldn’t come as a surprise. I was going to start working sooner or later, since you won’t agree to settle the divorce.
RYAN: Don’t blame this on me. You’re the one not willing to settle, even if it’s best for our son.
AMANTHA: I’M what’s best for our son!
Ryan’s shame tactics were the last thing I needed right now.
RYAN: Chill out. Or did you already forget? It’s not like I’m asking for joint custody anymore. Just one summer.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Our most recent meeting at Harrison & Coates had proved my lawyer right. Once they got word of me getting hired, Ryan’s lawyers pressured him to drop the custody request. And because Ryan hated to lose and walk away with nothing, my lawyer ex-husband made a counter offer. Ryan now wanted Anthony to travel abroad with him in Europe for the summer.
One summer and Ryan could be history.
