Page 16 of Miss Fortune

When she closed the door behind her, I let out a long breath. How tempting it was to have been honest with someone for a change. To admit this job chipped away at my soul on a daily basis.

Chapter Ten

Daisy

I returned to my desk weighted down with heavy regret. I’d hit a nerve with my question and instantly wished I’d kept my big mouth shut. It was none of my business if he enjoyed his job. Nor was I on a crusade to encourage anyone else to follow my path of leaving a corporate career behind.

It was time for me to check my privilege. Not everyone had the ability to walk away from a job they didn’t enjoy. It wasn’t as if I had a grand plan. I only knew I was happier, mind, body and soul, to have the freedom to feed my creative side. My choice was not necessarily for everyone. Just ask my parents. They were less than supportive of what they referred to as a whim.

Thankfully, my Friday night activities were able to snap me from the funk of having overstepped with Caleb. Tory picked me up at the body shop where I left my beloved Prius for repair, and drove me up to the house she shared with her boyfriend, Chance, and her four-year-old daughter, Penelope. Last year when Tory had been my neighbor, I’d babysat Penny a few nights a week, so now I jumped at any chance to spend time with her. Her leukemia had gone into the next phase of remission, which meant chemo treatments were spread out, and she was regaining her strength.

She was so cute when I carried her to bed that night, chatting all about her latest crazes, Pokémon and mermaids. I read her a short story, and by the time the book ended, she was out.

When I came back to the living room, we all chatted, Kelsey, Tory, and me, while I did their makeup.

Kelsey went first, and once I was finished with her, she checked out her reflection in a hand mirror. “Wow. Your makeup skills are incredible, Daisy.”

My grandmother had first taught me how to put on makeup. Although I enjoyed doing my own, I absolutely loved doing other people since I then had a chance to play with different colors. “You’re naturally stunning, which makes it easy.”

She frowned, still not completely comfortable with compliments after her verbally abusive relationship. Maybe someday she’d believe people when they complimented her.

“I’d never be able to replicate this.”

“Yes, you can. Tonight was playing around, but if you’re fond of the colors, I’ll email you links of what to buy.”

“Thank you. I’d love a list.”

Tory held up the bottle of wine. “Want some more?”

“No, thanks. I have an early morning.” I’d had two glasses of wine with dinner, which was plenty. I could practically hear my mother grinding her molars at my consumption this week. Mentally, I had to remind myself I was twenty-five and able to make my own decisions when it came to my health. Moderation was the key, not sacrifice.

Although I’d been tempted over the past year to tell my best friend about my heart transplant, it had never felt like the right timing to share, what with her daughter fighting leukemia and the stress of being a single working mom. But luckily, she never questioned if I declined an alcoholic beverage.

“So, speaking of tomorrow morning, who’s the guy you’re going with to this work thing you mentioned?” Tory asked, pouring wine into the glass Kelsey held out.

“His name is Eric, and he works in tech support at the firm. He’s picking me up for a corporate volunteer event to help build a house. Afterward, we’re planning on dinner. He’s cute enough.”

Tory frowned. “Cute enough is code for not being attracted to him.”

I didn’t bother to deny the accusation. Of course, it wasn’t fair to compare him to my boss, who gave me butterflies every time I was in his presence. “There isn’t much of a spark, but I’m willing to get to know him better to see if one might ignite.” I beckoned Tory to the chair I’d set up for makeup.

“How’s your boss, by the way? Things any better after your first day?” Kelsey inquired.

“Yeah, I guess so. He’s so busy I doubt he realizes I’m there half the time.”

“What’s his name?” Tory tried to sip her wine while I started on her foundation.

“Caleb Morrison. He’s a family attorney at—”

“You’re kidding? Caleb Morrison?” Tory’s pitch rose.

“You know him?”

“No, not personally, but Chance knows him. At least, he did business with him. He’s the attorney who drew up the forfeiture of parental rights for my ex to sign. Small world.” She grabbed her phone to type something on it.

Crazy. Yet another connection between me and Caleb. “It is a small world.”

She flashed a headshot of my boss toward me from her phone’s screen. “This him?”