Page 21 of Mission: Merry Christmas
The days swept by. Avery measured Drew’s progress, and even though she hadn’t strictly adhered to the rehabilitation plan, the results exceeded their aggressive goals.
Avery put away her goniometer and measuring tape. “You’re doing great.”
“I have to tell you, this might be in my head, but I feel a hundred percent better than I did just a few days ago,” Drew said.
“That’s great. You’ve been working hard. Thanks for following the plan.”
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”
She believed him. “I appreciate that.” She hated that she’d waited this long to tell Drew about the situation, but all this promise talk made her feel guilty. “Drew, we need to talk.”
A look of confusion shadowed his expression. “What’s wrong?”
“I know who you are,” she said.
His head snapped back. “How long have you known?”
“All week.”
“Okay.” His jaw pulsed. “That long?” He folded his arms across his chest. “You haven’t told anyone, have you?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Of course not. I’m a professional. I’d never, but therecould bea problem.”
“You’re making me nervous. What’s the problem?”
She slipped one of her old business cards out of her pants pocket and handed it to him.
He read it, looked at her, then back at the card again. “You’re with The Ware Agency?”
“Not anymore, but up until a few days before I came here… Yes, I was.”
“I don’t understand.” His mouth drooped. “Were you spying on me?” The words dripped with disappointment.
“No. Nothing like that.” She rubbed her hands together. “I had no idea who you were when I got here. I only took this job to help my sister out of a jam.”
“So, let me get this straight. You took time off from your job at the number one sports agency in the nation to help your sister? That doesn’t even make sense. Who leaves their perfect little world for something like that?”
“My perfect little world? I’ll have you know it was anything but perfect. My position was eliminated. With no notice, Ware pushed me out. You know why?”
“Because you’re bossy?”
“No.” His comment took her off guard but lightened the mood. “That’s what makes me great at what I do, thank you very much.”
“Because you were moonlighting when you should’ve been working?” he guessed.
“No. Because when I first started working there, I accompanied the owner of the company to a few major sporting events. There was nothing between us, but he just got engaged to someone at work, and she would prefer it if I’m no longer around.”
“Ouch.”
“Yes. So, he eliminated my position to keep the peace,” she said. “And did I mention that I lost my corporate apartment too?”
“Three weeks before Christmas? That’s not cool at all.”
“No, it’s not, and so here I am, doing a favor for my sister to buy some time until after the holidays when I can concentrate on finding a job and a place to live.”
“I get it. You’ve been treated unfairly, but at the risk of sounding like a jerk, exactly how is that a problem for me?”
“Because The Ware Agency has been pursuing you.”
