Page 73 of Dirty Grovel

Sighing, I shrug. “I don’t know what I mean, I just know that I have todosomething. Find some purpose. Get out of this rut I’m in and take charge of my life.”

Jesse looks intrigued. “What did you have in mind?”

“A job, for one. Maybe that’ll help me find a life outside of Oleg and his sky-high walls. And it’ll also mean I’m not wholly dependent on him. I have to do this—for myself, for my baby, and for my sister.”

“Having your own money is important, Sutton,” Jesse advises. “That’s something both my parents taught me early on. It doesn’t matter how well you marry—make sure you have something of your own so that you’re not beholden to anyone.”

“Sound parental advice. It’s very different from the advice I got growing up.”

“What advice did you get?”

“Let’s see…” I pretend to think. “‘Don’t put out unless you know for sure he’s rich’?”

Jesse’s jaw plummets to the table. “She did not.”

“Hand to my heart, that’s what she told me. She wasn’t kidding, either. I was twelve. Also, in case you were wondering, according to my mother, the best way to keep a good man is to get pregnant.”

Jesse drops her face into her hands. “She sounds like an… interesting woman.”

“The word you’re looking for is ‘troubled,’” I sigh. “My mother was a troubled woman. Sydney and I never had a chance in hell.”

“I can’t speak to your sister but I’d say that you’re doing pretty well, all things considered.”

I laugh out loud, the sound soaked in self-loathing. “I’m the pawn of a wealthy man, stuck playing by his rules because I have no money or security of my own. What part of that counts as ‘doing pretty well’?”

“Well, we can change that,” Jesse says. “We can find you a job. You like working with children, don’t you?”

“Love it.” I nod. “Working in childcare is the dream.”

Jesse shakes her head at me. “‘The dream,’” she echoes under her breath. “You really are different from all the others.” She pulls out her phone and starts typing fast.

I squint down at it. “What are you doing?”

“I know someone who runs a daycare about two blocks from here,” Jesse explains. “Last I heard, she was looking for some extra help. If the position is still available, I think we mighthave hit the jackpot. She’s an awesome boss. She’s open-minded, progressive—and, added bonus, she’s related to me. If I recommend you, she’s sure to hire you, no questions asked.”

“Oh my God, Jess, you’re an absolute life saver!”

“Hold the phone—we don’t know if the position is still up for grabs. Cross your fingers in case— Oh! She’s typing back.”

I cross everything I can cross while I wait for the reply. Jesse’s eyes start flying across the screen. Then she beams.

“What?” I exclaim. “What did she say?”

“The position is still available. She’s happy to meet you. I told her we were two blocks away and she told us to come on over for an informal interview.”

“Right now?”

“There’s no time like the present, right?” She winks at me and pats the back of my hand where it rests on the table. “I think this is the universe’s way of supporting your newfound goal to be independent.”

I throw some money onto the table and clamber to my feet. “The universe hasn’t really been my friend lately. Maybe my luck is changing.”

“Or maybeyouare changing.” Jesse smiles. “The only luck that matters is the luck we make for ourselves.”

I shake my head. “We had very different childhoods.”

“That couldn’t have gone better!” Jesse squeals as we exit her cousin’s daycare facility. “Meryl loved you!”

I can’t stop the cheesy smile from spreading one notch wider. I’m on cloud nine.

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