Page 20 of Addicted Lies

Ford comes to mind, and I want to laugh at the ludicrousness of that thought. It’s desperate times if I can’t even tell the difference between a fuck buddy situation and the potential of a long-term relationship.

The buzzing of my phone pulls me from my musings, and I fish it out of my pocket. I inhale a sharp breath as my aunt’s name appears on the screen.

It’s only been an hour since I left her office.

“Surprise, Aunt Rya,” I say with a cheeky smirk as I continue walking. I can hear her sighing on the other end of the phone and can imagine her shaking her head.

I love my aunt Rya, especially when she’s had a few too many margaritas.

“Do you really want the job, Billie?”

“Yes,” I tell her. Because I really do. I want something to work toward and to figure out if this is the right career path for me. I just want the chance to find myself.

“I know what it’s like being a woman in our family. I ran from it, but it caught up with me eventually. If you stay, you stay for good this time. You know if you run away again, it will find you.”

My eyebrows furrow, and I stop dead in my tracks. “I haven’t run away from anything,” I say, affronted.

“No? You didn’t pick a college in an entirely different country to get away from your brother hovering?”

I tsk, irritated by her keen eye. Then again, that’s one of the things that make her a great lawyer. “London isn’t that far. And I’ll have it known he still hovered, especially when he was conducting business in Italy.”

“Yeah, well, your brother is a determined son of a bitch.” She laughs. “As your aunt, I’m telling you this is a fantastic opportunity for you, but I want to make sure this is definitely what you want—for you.”

“And as my boss?” I push.

She chuckles. “My associates didn’t know you’re a relative of mine, and they were impressed by how you conducted yourself.”

I can’t contain a smile from spreading.

“But…”

“But what?” I ask.

“They were concerned once I told them who you were. They’re worried that you could use that to your advantage.”

“I would never. I want to prove to myself that I can do a good job. I can do this, Rya, if only you give me the opportunity,” I say adamantly.

“You and I both know that, Billie, which is why I’d like to officially offer you the job. But never bring anything from our family life to work, do you understand?”

“Yes,” I quickly agree. Oh my God! Did I just get the job?

“Good, you start Monday. Check your email. You’ll find welcome information, as well as some HR forms that need to be filled out. Welcome to the team,” she says, then hangs up.

“I got the job!” I yell excitedly and fist pump the air, scaring a woman walking past me. Fuck yeah! Eat shit, unemployment!

I message my mother to see where she is so I can share the news with her. She’s quick to respond, letting me know she’s at Dutton’s house. I should’ve known now that she has Bentley as a grandson that she’d be a grandmother hen.

Posie and her son Bentley live with Dutton now. Dutton does everything for her. Saying he’s obsessed with her is an understatement. I never thought I would see the day my big brother would be obsessed with a woman, especially with one who has a child. He hates kids. Just not hers.

I call a cab, then message Ivy that I got the job, and it’ll require a girls’ night out to celebrate.

It doesn’t take me long to get to Dutton’s. When I knock on the door, Posie opens it with an expectant expression. It’s crazy to think she’s around the same age as me, and yet we couldn’t be more different. I think it’s mostly because she has a child, but she treats me more like she’s an older sister, and I kind of like it.

“Oh, you look nice. Where are you off to?” she asks with an inquisitive brow.

“I had an interview,” I tell her, unable to hide my shit-eating grin as I follow her into the living room. My father is sitting on the floor, playing a board game with Bentley.

“Aunty Billie!” Bentley squeals, then jumps up to give me a hug. I can’t help but drop down to one knee for this kid and wrap him in my arms. “Will you come play with us?” he asks, trying to tug me toward where my father is smiling and shaking his head in amusement.

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