Page 187 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

James and I get comfortable on the couch and Dad plays the next episode of Dirty Jobs, James’s favorite TV show. We’re about halfway through the episode when my phone startles me. I snatch it from the side table and my heart skips. It’s Lincoln. I honestly didn’t expect him to call. “I need to take this. Back in a moment.” I kiss the top of James’s head and hurry from the room. Pressing the button with a shaky finger, I take the call. “Hello, this is Sophie.” I roll my eyes. He already knows who you are; he phoned you.

His warm chuckle sounds across the phone and my cheeks heat. I don’t know what it is about him, but I seem to become a blathering idiot in his presence. “Hi, Sophie. Is this a good time to chat?”

“Depends whether you’re calling with good or bad news.” I slap my forehead. Shut up, Soph. “Sorry. Yeah, I can talk now.”

“Great. I spoke with Ken after you left and he’s happy to help me train you. We’ll have to balance it with your reception work and it’ll require you to spend some of your time at the studio in the role of a student, which isn’t a paid position. When you come in to complete your paperwork, we’ll work out a schedule that’ll work for you and the studio.”

Surely I heard him wrong. “Di-did you just offer me the job?”

He chuckles again, and the sound vibrates through every cell of my body. “Yeah. I just offered you the job.”

“Ohmygodohmygodohmygod. Thank you so much!” My cheeks stretch as far as they can go. “You have no idea how much this means to me.” I jump up and down on the spot. “Thank you so much. I promise I won’t let you down. I’ll be the best trainee you’ve ever had.”

“You’re welcome. Ken and I couldn’t ignore your artistic talent. Your style is unique, and you made it clear how much you want the position. When can you come in to sign your paperwork and work out a schedule?”

“Oh, um, I have to work tomorrow. I could come by after six if you’re available.”

“Hang on, I’ll check my schedule.” Silence fills the phone as I pace the hallway with excited steps. “Yeah, that should work.”

I blow out a breath. “Great. Thank you so much. I promise you won’t be sorry.”

“I hope not. See you tomorrow.” He disconnects the call before I can respond, and I’m left staring at my phone as the screen fades to black. Did he sound pissed off? I don’t even care. I got the freaking job of my dreams!

I spin around, throw my arms up, and shimmy my ass. I can’t believe it. I could have sworn I had no hope of getting the job when I left the interview. I won’t be able to sleep tonight. Stepping into the living room, I try to contain my excitement so I don’t interrupt the show, but I can’t stop my leg from shaking up and down.

In the ad break, Dad asks, “What was that about?”

My cheeks rise. “I got the job.”

James immediately jumps up on the couch and bounces. “Congratulations, Mom. That’s awesome.”

“Thank you. I think it’s pretty awesome too, but that’s no reason to jump on the couch.” I give him my best mom eyes and he drops to his butt with a sheepish grin. This kid owns my heart, but he’ll find any excuse to push the boundaries.

“Congratulations. When do you start?” Dad asks.

“I need to stop by after work tomorrow to complete the paperwork and I guess we’ll work out a start date. I’ll give my notice at work in the morning.”

“I’m proud of you, Mom.”

I wrap my arm around my son and pull him in close, kissing the top of his head. “Thanks, James. That means a lot to me.”

“We’ll have to stop by and visit you. Introduce ourselves to your boss.” Dad rolls closer to me and lays his hand on my knee. “I’m proud of you, Soph. You work toward your goals and you’re making things happen the way you want.” He pushes back. “This calls for a celebration. Hot chocolate all around.”

“Ah, Dad, thanks, but I don’t think it’d be a good idea,” I call to his back. “I need to settle in and get used to everything first. I don’t know what the policy is for visitors at work.”

He waves me off. “We’ll give you time to settle in. Don’t worry.”

Oh shit!

Four

Lincoln

I drop my keys on the entry table and close the front door behind me, then head straight to the kitchen to grab a beer and go in search of Aaron. I don’t have to look far; finding him in the living room with his leg propped up on the coffee table, ice wrapped around his knee.

“What the fuck happened to you?” I snap.

“Turned awkwardly at work and twisted my knee. Pretty sure I heard a pop.”

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