Page 13 of The Secret

Payton’s eyebrows rose; she could hear everything Marcia was saying, given that Marcia didn’t talk quietly. She took the silence as a reason to continue on her pitch in her trademark sing-song voice, like she was trying to give Mary Poppins a run for her money.

“It’s a single father, in need of a lot of help by all accounts, not sure of the exact details. It’s a brand new baby so you’ll be doing nights to get a sleeping routine, which is why it’s live-in. His sisters are our clients and the interview will be with them. I suggest you take it and see. They’re lovely employees, they’ve had really good feedback, and both our nannies have extended their time twice. There are plenty of extras, including a car, expense account, travel, full membership to a gym called…” I heard a shuffle of paper, “Body by Luck.” Payton’s jaw dropped, mainly because she had more than a small obsession with that place. “And it’s much nearer the college than where you live now, so you’re closer to the city and any interviews you may have. They’ve also said you can have time off for interviews, plus your weekends free...”

Payton began vigorously gesturing her hands while nodding her head in a way that was both confusing and distracting.

“Sorry, Marcia, can you hold please?” I held the phone away and looked at Payton, mouthing to her. “What?”

“Take the interview,” she mouthed back.

I shouldn’t have picked up the phone. I’d never been able to say no to her, so I wasn’t clear why I thought I could now, especially with Payton still flailing around. Damn margaritas. It was no wonder Marcia ran a business as successful as it was. She could persuade anyone to do anything.

I brought the phone to my ear again. “Okay, fine. One interview.”

“Great! Well done, Kit. I’ll send the details through.”

“Wait, how long is it for?” I stopped her before she hung up.

“Sixteen weeks… initially.”

“And when does it start?”

“They want you immediately, but I’m sure we can arrange for something to be done about moving your things out of your current place.”

“Okay, I’ll take the call,” I replied, thoroughly defeated. “But only sixteen weeks, Marcia. I mean it.”

“Wonderful. How serendipitous.”

She hung up.

Payton took a large swig of her drink. “Jesus. She could sell oil to the Texans.”

I nodded. Marcia didn’t take no for an answer.

“Still, she’s not wrong. This sounds awesome. Plus, a Body by Luck membership! There’s a huge wait list on that place. You do remember how long it took me to get that through, don’t you? And now you’ve just been handed one! I’d take the job just for the membership! But at least now we can go together. And you never know - this single dad might be hot…” She winked with a loud guffaw as she tried to fill my glass.

I held my hand over it. “No, I need to sober up.”

“I don’t.” She topped her own glass up. “I’m so glad I decided to work from home today, makes life so much more interesting.”

I stood up. “I’m going to get some water.”

* * *

“What time are they calling?”

“In five minutes.”

“Here.” Payton barged into the bathroom while I was sitting on the toilet, throwing a brush at me with no warning. I ducked just in time or it would have smacked me in the face. “Maybe run that through your hair.”

I’d spent thirty minutes trying to drink as much water as possible in order to sober up, and then another twenty-five preventing my bladder from bursting. Not sure why I even cared. I didn’t want this job, and I’d pretty much been bullied into taking the interview.

I flushed the toilet, pulled up my jeans, and stood at the sink staring at myself as I washed my hands. Payton was right; I did need to brush my hair. It was the least I could do. My hair was so thick that if I wasn’t careful I could quickly take on the appearance of someone who’d been dragged through a bush.

I checked my watch.

Two minutes.

I poured a glass of water and sat down at the kitchen counter, propping my phone up on the flowerpot Payton kept there. I turned to her as she took the stool next to me.

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