Page 9 of His Secret Virgin
“Utah?” I asked. It hadn’t occurred to me that my father might have to move somewhere else to find a job. “I hope Dad can find something here.”
Shaking her head, Mrs. Hampton said, “It’ll be tricky, that’s for sure. He managed one of the biggest businesses in town. With the factory closed, there are more workers than jobs right now in our little city.” She was right. Bristol, Rhode Island, didn’t have a booming job market at the best of times.
“Yeah, he managed one of the biggest businesses in this town. So he should be able to get a job at one of the other large businesses here, right?”
Laney put her hand on my shoulder, looking sympathetic. “I don’t know, Emma. Those other businesses have their own managers and people waiting in line to get those jobs. It might be tough for your dad—lots of companies around here hire from within. But I wish him all the best. And the fact that you have this job and you’re switching to full-time will help. You’ll be able to take care of yourself at least, and your parents won’t have to support you.”
Nodding, I knew she was right. “And Mom is looking for a job as we speak. You’re right; all I have to do is tell Dad that if I want to keep this job, I have to adhere to your new dress code.” It felt a little weird, but it seemed like forces beyond my control were pushing me out of my comfort zone. And I had to admit that I loved what I saw in the mirror.
Later, as I drove home, my tummy did flips as headed toward my house in the outfit Laney had given me. Just imagining my father’s reaction kept me lightheaded. When I parked my car and headed inside, every step felt heavier than the last. “Come on, Emma, you can do this.”
When I came in through the side door, I didn’t hear anyone. “Mom? Dad?”
“Back here, honey,” Dad called out.
Walking toward the den, I saw my parents sitting together on one of the sofas. The dim lighting hid me a bit as I came into the room.
“Hi, I’m home. Laney put me on full time today.”
Dad squinted as he looked at me. “What the hell are you wearing?”
And here it goes.
My palms began to sweat. “Laney wants me to start wearing the clothes we sell at the store from now on. It makes sense, Dad.”
Leaning over Mom, he flipped on the lamp beside her. “And what the hell is all over your face?”
“Makeup.” My legs got shaky, and I had to take a seat before I fell; I was still wearing the heels, and while I’d gotten used to them throughout the day, my legs weren’t up for this challenge. “Laney wants me to wear makeup while I’m at work. She’ll do it for me there. I don’t have to buy any or anything like that.”
“And she did your hair too?” Mom asked.
I ran my hand through it, loving how silky it felt. “Yes, ma’am.”
“It looks pretty,” Mom said then looked at my father. “She looks nice, Sebastien.”
With a huff, he put in his two cents, “She looks like she’s thirty years old.”
“I don’t think so,” I said in a whisper.
“You do.” He looked down at the floor then back up at me. “Emma, there’s no need to rush growing up. Now go on and wash that crap off your face. And those clothes aren’t appropriate. I understand your boss wants you to wear them at work, but I’d prefer if you changed into your own clothes before you come home. Hopefully, you won’t have that job much longer anyway.”
That was news to me. “What do you mean by that? Don’t you need me to keep this job, Dad?”
“Right now, I do. But I’m going to make a phone call to an old friend of mine.” He reached over to pick up the can of beer that sat on the table in front of him. “Christopher Taylor has a very successful business, and I hope he might have a place for me in his company.”
“I’ve never heard of him.” I chewed my lower lip as butterflies began to take flight in my stomach. “He’s not from around here, is he?”
“No, he’s not.” Dad put the beer back on the table. “His company is in Manchester, New Hampshire.”
I’d never been to New Hampshire. “How far is that from here?”
“About two and a half hours. That’s if traffic is good. Which it usually isn’t.” He picked up his beer again and took a drink.
Mom took over. “If your father can get a job there, then we’d sell this house and move closer.”
“To Manchester?” I asked in disbelief.
We’d always lived right where we were, here in our home in Bristol. I didn’t want to leave, to have to start all over in an unfamiliar place.
