Page 54 of The Unplanned Wedding

She means Knox-twathole-Davenport, of course.

When I don’t answer, she sighs. "Sometimes, I think I shouldn’t have mentioned the position he was recruiting for."

I cough. A part of me wants to agree with her. On the other hand… "The money is good," I point out.

"But he’s a wanker." Her scowl deepens.

"Normally, he doesn’t even notice I’m around, so it’s not too bad."Am I defending him? Why am I defending my boss when he doesn’t care about me at all?Sure, he's tall and dark and has a jawline that could rival Adonis, and his shoulders are so broad it feels like they could carry the weight of theworld, and he's so magnetic, every other man pales in comparison… It doesn’t change the fact that he's a tosser.

"You’re right," I sigh. "He’s a twatopotamus."

She chortles, "That’s a lovely insult; mind if I borrow it?"

"Be my guest." I smile back, then turn serious again. "He does pay well for this position, though." And I need that money. It’s why, even though he hurt me, I’m not sure I can afford to leave his employment...Can I?

She nods slowly. "Perhaps, once you have enough money saved, you could look for a new job?"

"Perhaps." I keep my voice noncommittal. If I take on payments to the adoption search specialist, I doubt I’ll be able to save money anytime soon. And if I were to leave the job...Am I really thinking of doing that?

Something of my doubt must show on my face, for she frowns. "Are you okay, June?"

I blink.I don’t want to lie to her. I don’t.Zoey’s been such a good friend to me. If it weren’t for her, I don’t know how I’d have made it through the last few years.

When I stay quiet, her frown deepens. "Everything okay with your family?"

"Oh, yes. I moved Irene to a retirement community which is so much more comfortable than the Council housing she was living in. I was also able to pay for Jillian and Ethan’s first year at university. They’re doing well.” All this, thanks to my salary from this job. I’m finally making enough to take care of my family, and I intend to keep doing so.

She must hear my unsaid words, for her features soften. "You worry too much about them, honey.” Zoey’s expression grows serious. "And you’re right to take care of your adoptive family but—" She hesitates. "But and please don’t take this the wrong way, you know you don’t have to overcompensate for the fact that Irene adopted you, right?"

"What do you mean?" I frown.

She holds up a hand. "All I’m trying to say is, you didn’t have it easy. You went through so much at such an early age. Has it occurred to you that you’re trying to make up for the fact that Irene gave you a home by going out of your way to pay her back?"

I draw in a sharp breath.

I 've resisted sharing details about my past with my best friend becauseI never felt ready, but now feels like the right time. “You know how I got bounced around from place to place in foster care, until finally, I was fostered by Irene, who went onto adopt me? By then, I was twelve.”

“Which is a few years before I met you.” She nods.

“What I didn’t tell you is that I hit puberty when I turned eleven. I was an early bloomer.” I swallow. “Almost overnight, I developed breasts and hips. Enough to attract the attention of my foster father at the placement I was at. He tried to fondle me. I slapped him. Which resulted in him beating me up. My foster mother walked in and managed to pull him off.”

“Oh my god,” she gasps.

I look away, then back at her. “The next day, I was transferred to stay with Irene, who went on to adopt me. I didn’t make it easy on her, either.” I half smile at the recollection. “She put up with my tantrums. She told me I could lash out as much as I wanted but she wasn’t giving up on me. She believed in me.” I blink away the moisture in my eyes. “If not for her, I wouldn’t have found a home or begun to believe in myself again. Irene worked hard to take care of me. After me, she went onto adopt Jillian and Ethan, as well.”

Zoey wrinkles her forehead; a considering look on her features. “Did both of them come to stay with Irene as foster kids first?”

I nod. “I know it seems like a lot for a single woman to take on, but Irene was determined. She, herself, grew up in the care system and was adamant that she would do everything possible to break that cycle for as many kids in the system as possible. That she was on her own was never a deterrent.”

“She’s an inspiration,” Zoey says softly.

“Oh, she is. Unfortunately, about the time I turned eighteen and completed my final year of high school, she was in an accident. It resulted in her being laid up in hospital for months. She lost her job and could no longer support us.”

“I remember,” Zoey says softly. "I’m so sorry, June. I never realized how tough things were for you."

“I should have shared more with you, it’s just... I didn’t want you to feel sorry for me, you know?”

“I’m your friend, I’d never make you feel bad about the things you went through,” Zoey’s eyes shine with love.

---