Page 21 of Until You

That was no surprise. “Tell me what you’re hearing, and I’ll tell you if you should worry.”

“I don’t appreciate your attitude. The store is behind schedule, and you’re being flippant.”

“With all due respect, Eve, I’ve done this twelve times. I know what I’m doing.”

“I hope you do, because we have a lot riding on this opening.”

Lanie wanted to say, “No, you have a lot riding on this opening,” but she wisely kept it to herself. “My reputation is on the line too. We’ll open, and it will be on time.”

“We’ll see,” Eve said. “I’m working on some reports and I need your August financial report to me by nine.”

“Tonight? They’re not due until the fifteenth. Today’s the second.” Pulling the data together would take several hours, and she’d promised Britt she’d be at the photo shoot at seven.

“Your delays are making me nervous, so I need that report. Tonight. And that’s nine central time, not Pacific…Is this a problem?”

Lanie was silent for several seconds as the truth hit her. Eve was setting her up to fail. “No.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to it.” Then Eve hung up.

Lanie released a groan as a young woman walked through the door. The woman gave Lanie a startled look, and Lanie held up her hand. “I’m sorry. Ignore me.”

Stephanie glanced up, obviously dying to ask questions, but their next interviewee kept her silent.

Lanie walked over to the table and picked up her purse. “I have to do something for Eve, so I’m going to let you handle the last few interviews.”

Stephanie looked worried, so Lanie gave her a reassuring smile, even if she wasn’t feeling reassured herself.

Lanie walked over and shook the young woman’s hand. “I’m Lanie, but I’m going to leave you in Stephanie’s capable hands. If you impress her, then I’ll see you again next week.” Then she headed out the door to walk the four blocks to her apartment.

It was the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and the heat was still oppressive. She normally liked walking to and from work, but her nerves were shot after her phone call and wisps of her hair had plastered themselves to her forehead. She decided to make sure wherever she ended up moving to wouldn’t be so humid. Maybe she should look out east. But then she stopped in her tracks as the reality of her situation hit her.

Her entire life could be about to change.

Putting her hand on her stomach, she took a deep breath and told herself everything would be okay. She’d never been one to run from hard work. She’d find a new place in the world. But the thought was overwhelming and coated with loneliness. Stephanie wouldn’t be going with her this time.

Lanie was drenched in sweat when she reached her apartment, so she took a quick shower, put on shorts and a tank top, and got to work. She was deep in a spreadsheet when Stephanie called.

“What’s Eve got you doing?”

“She wants the August financial report by nine.”

“You’re kidding?” she asked, sounding indignant. “They’re not due until the fifteenth.”

“Well, now it’s due today.” Which was ridiculous and unrealistic, but because Lanie was a dedicated employee, she was killing herself to get it done anyway.

Why?

She’d busted her ass for this company for ten years, and things weren’t going to change. Maybe it was time Lanie made things change.

Was she seriously thinking about quitting?

“What about your photo shoot?” Stephanie asked.

Lanie’s stomach twisted. How was she going to get the report done? “I’ve got about another hour or two of work. So now I have an excuse to come home early.”

“Lanie, that’s never going to work. The shoot starts in twenty minutes, and the report’s due in at nine. Let me work on it.”

“Twenty minutes? I’m not even ready.” Shit. How had she lost track of time? Brittany was going to kill her.

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