Page 36 of The Forever Rule

I raised a single brow at her, and just stared, before she rolled her eyes again. “Stop it. It sounded like youwere describing yourself. I mean, I love you, but you are bossy when it comes to your siblings.”

“I am not.” We both burst out into laughter, and I felt lighter than I had in days.

She shook her head. “Fine, I’m a mess. Maybe not as messy as dear old Daddy was.”

I blanched. “I don’t know how he had the time. I mean,twofamilies?”

“Dad was rarely around in the end. He was too busy playing with hisrealfamily.”

I reached out and grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry about your father. And I am annoyed that I have to go ask the Cages for a job, and yes, disgruntled that he didn’t text.”

“I wish I could kick him,” she mumbled.

I waved her off. “I have complicated feelings when it comes to Aston and the family, which I shouldn’t. Because it didn’t mean anything.”

“Clearly.”

“That doesn’t mean you should cast a bad light on them. You don’t know how he was to the others, do you?”

She shook her head, her gaze going distant. “No. I don’t know them. Phoebe knows Ford, and he seems like a good guy. But he doesn’t really hang out or work with his brothers as much. At least that’s what I’ve been able to gather.”

“So maybe you should get to know the family? I mean it’s not going to be easy. They could all be horrible people for all I know. But you won’t know until you try. And you don’t have to put all of it on you. You do have a fewsisters and a brother who can take your place for a dinner or two.”

Isabella crossed her eyes at me and sighed. “That is true. However, I’m going to be the one that stands in from my side of the family. At least at first. Until I get to know these Cages.”

“Aren’t you a Cage too?” I asked, knowing that while I needed to get out and get ready for my last-ditch effort at getting a job, this was just as important. If not more so.

“I don’t know who I am anymore. Which isn’t the greatest feeling in the world. However, this isn’t about me. I took a lunch break, which I never do, so I need to head back to the office. And you need to go get this job. And if they don’t give it to you, I’m going to hate them even more than I probably will.”

“Don’t hate them. They’re family. Family you don’t know yet.”

“You have amazing parents, and I’m happy that you do, but apparently I didn’t have the parents I thought I did.”

And with that, we hugged it out, she helped me pick up my jewelry, and we each headed out in different directions. I had no idea how that family was going to handle what they needed, and I was grateful that I didn’t have to deal with it. However, I needed a job.

And thankfully, my interview was not with Aston. I knew he had more important things on his mind than a single dance and promise that he failed to keep. So I would push that out of my mind and focus on the desperation of my bank account.

Cage Enterprises was in one of the familiar high rises of Denver, and gorgeous. Everything was high-end, and yet didn’t look cold and stuffy. There was a warmth in every aspect of ambiance. I had to wonder where that came from. I had only met three of the brothers, including the man I’d be interviewing with, so perhaps they just hired a decent decorator.

I went up to the front desk and the man there smiled up at me. “Hello, how can I help you?”

My stomach tightened but I reminded myself I didn’t have another choice…and the Cages would be honored to hire me. And if I kept telling myself that, I’d believe it. “Hi. I am Blakely Graves. I’m here to meet James Cage for an interview.”

He nodded, that pleasant smile on his face. “Of course. You can go up to the elevator and up to level eighteen. Someone will be at the top and will be able to help you. I’ll let them know that you’re on your way.”

“Thank you.” Again, tension slid into me, wrapping it’s spindly fingers around my chest.

“No problem. And good luck.” He winked as he said it, and I warmed a bit, liking the friendly atmosphere.

Everybody seemed as if they weren’t on the edge, stress pounding into them, like they had at Howard Enterprises. They all had work to do, but they weren’t growling in every corner. Or maybe that was just what the first floor felt like.

I made my way up to the eighteenth floor and rolled my shoulders back as I walked out into the upper lobby. The person who met me there smiled softly and gesturedfor me to go to one of the offices in the corner. I really wanted this to work. Ineededit to work. But I tried not to look around too much soaking in my surroundings. I didn’t want to like this place too much and have to walk away. I kept having to do that every time.

I sat down in the chair opposite a large desk and sat my bag next to me. “Thank you so much,” I said to the woman who had taken me to the office, and she smiled softly.

“No problem. Can I get you some water? Some tea? Coffee?”

“I’m fine, thank you so much.”

---