Page 46 of Catch Me
Pride washes over me as I square my shoulders.
“That’s so cool. You must love it.”
I nod. “It’s new, but yeah, I kinda do.”
Her eyes sparkle. “I’m Stacey, by the way. This is my mom, Linda Grieves.”
“A pleasure to meet you Ms. Grieves and Stacey.”
After selecting a few more pieces for Stacey’s mom, the three of us exit the store.
“Are you going to take her up on the offer?” Stacey asks, gesturing toward the business card in my hand.
Turns out the store clerk wasn’t only the clerk, but a co-owner of the business. She offered me a part-time position at the store. I chose to take her business card to reach out in the near future.
“Probably not. I already have a part-time gig styling online.” Then I get an idea. “Ms. Grieves, you should check out Style Box.” I briefly explain what the company is and how we can help style her even from the comfort of her own home.
“Can I request you specifically?”
“Yes.” I pull out my phone and show her the app for the business and how to request a specific stylist.
“Hey, we were just going to have lunch at a restaurant nearby,” Ms. Grieves says. “Would you like to join us? It’s on me.”
“I couldn’t intrude.”
“No, it wouldn’t be an intrusion,” Stacey insists. “Honestly, we can drive in my car, and we’ll swing back here to drop you off to pick up your car afterwards.”
“Oh, I didn’t drive. I don’t live too far from here, actually.”
“Even better,” Stacey says.
“I wouldn’t be a burden to you?” I ask out of habit, but then correct my question. “To drop me off after lunch?”
Stacey waves me off. “Not at all. We’re not in a rush to do anything, are we, Mom?”
Ms. Grieves wags her head. “This is my vacation. My break from being on the go.”
My smile spreads because Ms. Grieves shared with me earlier that she worked as a surgical nurse for almost two decades before rising up the ranks into hospital administration, a decade ago.
In other words, she’s constantly busy.
“In that case, I would love to join you two. Thank you.”
CHAPTER 13
Ivy
A few hours later, I walk into my apartment a little more tired than when I left but filled with an odd sense of completion. No, the styling choices I helped Ms. Grieves with weren’t part of my official job but it still felt great to help someone who wanted it.
“Were you lonely today?” I ask Ms. Shelby as I pick her up to cuddle.
My phone starts ringing, and it must be because I’m in a good mood that I barely look at the screen before answering.
“Hello?”
“There’s the voice I’ve been missing all day.”
Electric currents shoot through me as his deep voice washes over me.
