Page 4 of Miss Fortune

It was perfectly understandable she wouldn’t want points on her license or a higher insurance payment because of a small fender bender. “Of course. I’d be happy to send over the estimate and have you take care of it out of pocket. Here’s my information.”

She took out her phone to snap a picture of my license and registration while I did the same with her documents.

“Thank you for being nicer than your girlfriend.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.” Why it seemed important to share this information with a stranger, I didn’t know, but I couldn’t help myself.

“Do you want my phone number?”

My eyes went wide.

“I mean in order for you to contact me about the damages, not in light of you not having a girlfriend. Sorry. Bad timing on the question.”

Right. Did I think she was hitting on me? I mentally shook my head, ready to type. “Of course. What’s the number?”

As I’d finished entering the digits into my phone, the sound of the horn from the BMW startled us.

The passenger window came down. “Let’s go, I have a morning meeting,” Tabitha yelled.

“Sorry, she can be, um—” While I struggled for words, not having seen this side of Tabitha, the woman in front of me didn’t struggle at all.

“A bit of a bitch. Yeah, got a preview in our brief time together. Guess it’s a good thing she’s not your girlfriend. I’ve gotta go too. Thanks for not being awful.”

Before I could respond, she’d turned on her high heels and was heading for her car.

For someone who wasn’t much on meeting new people under any circumstances, I found myself thinking it was a shame I’d never see the woman in the yellow Prius again.

Chapter Three

Daisy

Toby was quiet during the rest of the snail-pace ride into downtown LA, content to listen to me sing his favorite song, “You are my Sunshine,” over and over. I didn’t mind the repetition since it calmed him. Once we arrived in front of the hospital and he spotted his mom outside waiting, he got excited to get out of the car and see her.

Lily hugged him before turning to embrace me. “Please tell me Toby didn’t cause you to have the accident.”

I’d sent a quick text to his mom about the fender bender and the delay.

“Nope. One hundred percent my fault.” Despite his scream, it was my doing I’d gotten distracted. I set her mind at ease. “I was only rolling forward at the time, so he should be fine, but you never know. I’m so sorry.” Nobody wanted a babysitter who’d put their child in harm’s way.

“I’m sure he’s fine, given you were going slow, but I’ll watch him. Thank you for doing this last minute and bringing him in to meet me. I’m sorry for the trouble. I hope you won’t be too late for your interview?”

I glanced at my phone and internally cringed. I would absolutely be late. But I wouldn’t go and put the guilt on a mom who’d just worked the graveyard shift. I no longer sweated the small stuff. A health crisis two years ago had put my priorities firmly in perspective, and I wouldn’t stress about things out of my control.

“I have plenty of time. Bye, Toby. See you soon.”

He gave me a small smile and wave.

“You’re the best, Daisy. Um, you may want to fix your hair.”

“Yes. Will do. Gotta go.”

Once I climbed into the car, I caught my reflection in the rearview mirror and gasped. The rain had definitely not done me any favors.

After pulling back into traffic, I followed the GPS for the seven blocks to the building I’d be working in. It was modern and at least thirty stories tall. According to Doris, the position would come with a parking pass, which was a good thing because the daily rates made my mouth fall open. I might not be in need of money, but I wasn’t a fan of wasting it either.

Crap on a cracker. By the time I found parking, I had one minute left before my appointment. Using the shiny surface of the elevator wall as my mirror, I wiped the mascara from under my eyes, smoothed down my hair, and did my best to pin it back up. It would have to do.

When I stepped into the fifth-floor reception area of Lakeland and Goldberg, I was officially six minutes late. Not a great first impression for an interview with my potential new boss. Neither was the fact my damp pink silk dress was clinging to my body.