Page 109 of Fierce-Hyde

“Sure,” the woman said. “Your mother has been here a few years and makes her payment on time. We can allow that, but she needs to come in today to sign it.”

“She’ll be there soon,” she said. “I promise. Can you tell me the rent amount?” She waited while someone was clicking on the keyboard, then she was told. “Wonderful, that’s even less. She’ll be thrilled. Thank you so much.”

She hung up and called her mother back, when it went to voicemail she wanted to scream.

Rather than leave a message, she texted for her mother to call her back immediately.

It was ten minutes before her mother returned the call.

“Sorry,” her mother said. “I was on the phone with Marjorie. She’s always been a good ear.”

She didn’t bother to ask who that was because she didn’t care. “Go to the main office and sign a new lease. They’ve got a one-bedroom opening the first of the year. You can move in then. My guess is there might be a few days overlap they can work with you to do that.”

“How am I supposed to get my stuff there?” her mother asked.

“Figure it out, Mom. This place is four hundred less a month than what you were paying. That works for you. It’s smaller so less space to clean on top of it. You were complaining about your new neighbors so you won’t have that problem either.”

“I guess it sounds like it’s all working out then,” her mother said. “Are you sure I can’t move in with you?”

“No,” she said. “You can’t.”

“Can you tell me about this guy you’re dating and your new job?” her mother asked.

Since her mother never asked, she’d volunteer a few things. “His name is Hyde Person. He’s an engineer and works with Raina on the fourth floor of my building.”

“That’s great,” her mother said. “But if you are thinking of changing jobs then you won’t see him anymore and he might not like that.”

“Mom,” she growled. “You’re the last person to give me dating advice. I don’t need to be around a man every waking moment like you.”

“Don’t bite my head off,” her mother snapped. “What has come over you?”

“I don’t know,” she said, throwing her hands in the air. “Maybe it’s the fact that I had to put off a meeting with my staff just now to clean up another one of your messes. When are you going to take responsibility for your actions?”

“I don’t need you talking to me like this,” her mother said, sniffling.

“Sorry,” she said. “Reality tends to bite. I know. And I’ve got to get back to work. Maybe you should try to find a job now too. After you go sign your lease. And don’t forget it. If you don’t get this place, you will be sleeping in your car or a friend’s place. But you’ll have to figure that out on your own.”

She hung up after that and felt sick to her stomach that she lost her cool when she never did before with her mother.

Tori could still make her meeting but since she’d asked her staff to give her an hour because something came up, she did something she hadn’t done before.

She texted Hyde that she was having an awful morning and if he could talk.

He replied quickly asking where she wanted to meet.

Since she was feeling emotional, she said her car was in the parking lot.

She grabbed her purse and jacket and walked to the front desk. “I’ll be right back. I need to go out to my car for something.”

By the time she was in the parking lot, Hyde was calling her name and she turned to see him come jogging over to her. No jacket on. Nothing. It’s like he ran out the door to get her.

Just seeing that had her bursting into tears when she cried over very little.

“Hey,” he said. “Let’s get in your car and you can tell me what is going on.”

“I’m so sorry that I’m bothering you right now.”

“Don’t even think about it,” he said. “What’s going on?”

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