Page 112 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
Chapter Fifty
Iris
My feet feel light as I return home from the interview. Elizabeth King is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Sincere and gracious, she didn’t say a word that wasn’t kind or encouraging or inspiring during the hour we were talking. I was in awe the entire time, thinking that I want to be just like her.
She also said she liked me and offered me the job on the spot.
And I stared like an idiot for a moment before my brain kicked in. I managed to squeak a yes, then grinned like I just won the lottery.
Hell, this is better than the lottery! The lottery is pure chance. I got the job because she liked me! Me!
I text Tony, I got the job!
Congratulations, he responds. Celebratory dinner?
Of course! What time?
I’ll pick you up at seven.
Perfect, I type, and hit send.
When I enter the penthouse with a pirouette of victory, I see four pink suitcases with red heart stickers all over them in the foyer. “Julie!” I call out, dashing inside.
She pokes her head out of the kitchen. “Hey, girlfriend!”
She comes out, and we hug like it’s been centuries rather than three weeks. She looks a lot like Byron—the same soft brown hair, brilliant blue eyes and finely carved facial bones—except she’s super feminine. And unlike me, she has the most beautifully proportioned hands.
Right now, she’s in travel clothes—a pink hoodie and soft cotton pants, cropped at the shin.
“When did you arrive?”
“Like an hour ago.”
“What are you doing here? Don’t you have your own apartment?”
“Ah, thought I’d drop by to see you before going home. And I might even stay a night or two, since Byron isn’t here to kick me out.” She grins cheekily, then glances at the piano. “I see you’re working on ‘Mazzepa’ again.”
“It’s coming along,” I say, leading her to the couch. “Now tell me all about your trip to Moscow.” We sit side by side, my feet tucked under, her legs stretched out.
“Oh my God, Moscow was amazing!” Julie gushes in that speedy breathless way she speaks when she’s overly excited. “I wish you’d come. You would’ve loved it! All that history and culture and those hot men! And they’re nice, too! I couldn’t believe it.”
I laugh. “Of course they’re nice to you. Everyone likes you.” Julie’s bright and funny, and guys flock to her.
She snickers. “They plied me with vodka. Good stuff, but you know I don’t drink more than three.”
That’s Julie’s hard limit. She says every time she has more, the next morning she feels like a zombie that’s been hit by a semi.
“But what about you? You okay? Byron, of course, just had to go to Hawaii.” She pouts. “So unfair. I told him to help you get settled in and show you around.”
“It’s fine. He had a business thing. You told me he’s in an all-out war against Milton for the family business.”
She heaves a huge sigh, rolling her eyes. “Game of Thrones without the dragons or hot Dothraki or body count. Brother pitted against brother.”
“So he had to go. The last thing I want is for him to lose because of me.” I smile and prop an elbow on the back of the sofa. “Hey, I have good news. I found a job!”
“Ooh, something to do with music because of that video Byron posted? It went viral in Europe. I told everyone I met the pianist was you.”
I flush. “Oh my gosh.” But it’s so like Julie. I swear she’s prouder of my musical ability than I am.
