Page 34 of The Snowball Effect

Clearly, it had carried over.

“Right,” Allegra drawled. “This year, I’m on the applicant review board. Given your experience, I figured you’d be my right-hand in the process. The submission deadline is today, and all those in my purview will be directed to you.”

Emma nodded, perking up in excitement as she brought her tablet to life to start organizing her email files in preparation.

This was – by far – the biggest responsibility Allegra had given her since she’d started. And she wasready. She was so ready to prove herself she could taste it. It was how she’d always been.

“We have three weeks to decide who will move onto the interview rounds, so I do hope you’re prepared for quite a bit of reading,” Allegra continued, turning her attention back to her laptop once more.

Emma was already figuring out her color codes as she nodded, trying to bite back her smile; she didn’t want to look like an insane personthrilledto have this responsibility dropped on her desk.

Even if that’s exactly what she was.

“I’m always prepared for quite a bit of reading,” Emma confirmed.

Shesworeshe saw Allegra’s lips tick up once more before she merely answered, “Good.”

She was still riding that high as she left the office that evening.

Yes, it was seven in the evening by the time she was able to pack up.

Yes, the submitted portfolios had started rolling in an hour ago. There were already ninety-five emails in the Alton Fellowship email folder she’d created.

Yes, the disgusting heat wavewasstill wreaking havoc on everyone living in this densely populated concrete island.

Emma simply didn’t care.

She fished her phone out of her back pocket as she felt it vibrating, her excitement only growing when she saw her grandmother’s contact information reflected back at her.

“Hi, Gram,” she answered, thrilled to share her updates.

After all, her grandmother was the one person who’d always been there to share in her triumphs and to support her in her failures. If there was one person who would understand Emma’s elation at being entrusted with such a big project, she knew it was her gram. The same woman who’d taught her the value of working hard and being proud of a job well done.

“I’m sorry,” her grandmother immediately apologized, forgoing a typical greeting.

Emma’s swift stride toward the subway slowed. “You’re… sorry?”

“I am,” Gram confirmed. “I didn’t want to interrupt you at work, and I know Mondays are busy for you; that’s why I didn’t call earlier. But I’m sorry, Emma. I had noideayour mom would go to your apartment without notice.”

Though she’d been swept up in the craziness of her schedule, her grandmother’s apology reminded her of yesterday’s events.

It only slightly dimmed her excitement.

“Yeah,” she responded, combing through the mix of emotions that were so easily recalled.

How jarring it had been to see Kimberly, amongst her belongings, in her home. Having coffee with her –and Regan– in their kitchen. Emma had been thrown into the situation that she’d been putting off for months, and Regan was there to witness it.

“I only gave her your address because she brought me to my cardiology follow-up a couple of weeks ago,” her grandmother explained, sounding so earnest. “I’d wanted to add her to my emergency contact list, and it came up that she didn’t have your information. It seemed like a good idea – her having all of your contact information – in case something ever happens and she needs to get a hold of you.”

Emma reached up, rubbing her hand at her temples as she digested the explanation. “I get it,” she finally said.

And she did.

She understood the connections her grandmother had made, and it wasn’t as though Emma had ever instructed her gram not to give her information to Kimberly.

“And it’s… fine,” she added on after a minute, blowing out a deep breath.

Obviously, she hadn’t beenpleased, but it had – technically – beenfine.

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