Page 74 of Red Mountain Burning
Carly pulled earbuds from her ears. “What are you saying?”
Margot tried not to show her frustration and put on her ditzy stepmom costume, saying in a high-pitched tone, “I have a ton of fires going on at the inn and could really use your help today. Could you please give me a couple hours of your time? I’ll pay you well. Please.”
Carly dropped her head backward and looked at the ceiling.
Margot wanted to scream at her.Get your ass off the couch for once! Stop thinking about yourself! While you’re at it, take off that wretched hoodie! You smell like an ashtray.Though that would have been an authentic reaction, it wouldn’t help their relationship or the issues at hand. She went back to not being herself.
Margot sat on a chair facing her. “Believe me, I hate asking you. I know you don’t like me. But please, I’ll make it up to you.”
“I guess I don’t have a choice.”
Carly was right about that, but Margot didn’t say as much. Carly pulled the black hoodie off her head, acting as if she’d been terribly put out. “What do you need me to do?”
Margot smiled through her anger. She almost suggested that Carly change clothes, but maybe that was asking too much. She’d take whatever she could get at this point. “Clean some rooms, answer phone calls. Maybe help in the kitchen too. Seriously, I’m really sorry to ask.”
“It’s fine. I’m tired of sitting around, anyway.”
